If you are unsure about the extent of your coverage, check with your homeowners insurance agent. Tell them about your situation and ask them if you are fully protected from any loss or claim that may be brought against you. If they say that you are fully protected, ask for a specific endorsement, in writing, issued by the insurance company, not the agent. If they say that you would not be covered, a Commercial Farm/Stable Owners Policy may be what you need. This type of insurance is usually designed to provide a broader range of coverage than a typical homeowners policy, given the fact that your property is used for a specific purpose other than just your place of residence.

The bottom line is that you need to make certain that your insurance coverage is adequate for your needs.

In some states (California being one) storing hay in your barn can double your insurance premium! Some insurance companies won't even cover a barn with the primary hay storage being inside the building. When planning your stable site, consider a separate building for hay and bedding storage. By having a separate structure for long term hay storage, you can store just a weeks worth of hay in your barn at a time.

Also, did you know that most insurance companies consider cobwebs to be the most flammable thing in the barn? Frequent "decobwebbing" with a broom will help keep them at bay.