← Notice letters

Livestock Owner Notice and Insurance Request

Send toThe livestock owner
WhenA vehicle hit livestock in a closed range state or an exception area

💡 When to use it

Send this to the owner of a cow, horse, or other livestock that your insured's vehicle hit on the road. Most livestock owners have never dealt with an insurance claim, so this letter explains the rule in plain English, cites the state law, and tells them exactly what to do: send it to their insurance agent.

  • Check the state first. Use the state list in the Livestock on the Road guide. In true open range with no exception, there's usually no claim, so don't send this.
  • Pick the loss state in the form. The plain-English rule and the citation fill in for you. Open the linked statute and confirm it's current before you send.
  • Write for someone who's never filed a claim. No insurance jargon. The owner needs to know three things: what happened, what the law says, and to call their agent.
  • Say "belongs to you," not "you let it out." Facts on paper, fault on the phone.
  • Don't mention payment. At notice, usually nothing has been paid yet.
  • Diary 30 days. No answer means a phone call, then the second demand once damages are final.

✉️ The letter

Fill in the boxes and the letter updates as you type. Anything you leave blank stays [in brackets]. What you type stays on your device. Free downloads and prints include a light Subrobuddy watermark.

[Livestock Owner Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]

[Today's Date]

RE: Accident involving your livestock

Our client: [Client Name]
Our client's insured: [Insured's Name]
Date of accident: [Date of Loss]		Location: [Road and Nearest Cross Street or Mile Marker], [County] County
Our File No.: [Your Company File Number]

Dear [Livestock Owner Name]:

[Your Company Name] handles recovery for [Client Name], the insurance carrier for [Insured's Name]. We are writing about an accident on [Date of Loss] on [Road and Nearest Cross Street or Mile Marker], when [Insured's Name]'s vehicle hit [a cow / a horse / livestock] on the road. We understand the animal belongs to you. [Insured's Name]'s vehicle was damaged in the accident.

What the law says

[Plain-English Rule for the Loss State] ([State Law Citation])

Because of this, [Client Name] may ask the owner of the animal to repay the cost of the damage. This is called subrogation. It is a normal part of the insurance process, and it is usually handled between insurance carriers.

What to do next

Most farm, ranch, and homeowner's insurance policies include coverage for this kind of claim. Please:

  1. Send a copy of this letter to your insurance agent or carrier right away, and ask them to contact our office.
  2. Fill in the form below and return it to our office by [Reply Date, 30 days from today].
  3. Keep any records about the animal and your fences and gates, such as repair records or photos.

If you don't have insurance, please contact our office anyway so we can talk about next steps.

Your information
Your name
Phone number
Email
Insurance carrier
Policy number
Agent name and phone
Claim number, if already reported

Thank you for your help. Please call our office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

[Name]
[Title]
[Company]
[Address]
[Phone] · [Email]