Insurance at track days or racing

[gstuning]

In the US or anywhere else whats the deal on beeing insured?
both for track days on your daily or prepped street legal car or a purpose built race car from a formerly original car.

I can´t imagine that I can crash my car at the track and then put in a claim at the insurance company, to me it´s ridiculous but my fellow Icelandics don´t seem to feel that way.

[Dave]

Here, you have to look at your policy. Most policies will cover "instructional" driving events. You have to look closely at the policy language to be sure.

If you are doing HPDE, it should be covered. If it is actual racing - you need a special and expensive policy.

[Irish1]

That's DEFINITELY not my experience after talking to several insurance companies when my Allstate agency let me know that I wouldn't be covered for ANY track event, including instructional settings and HPDEs. Insurance companies have been getting claims on vehicles damaged at non-competitive HPDEs and began to redefine coverage exceptions a couple years ago. Some tracks say because they're running "non-timed" track days that your insurance should cover you, but it's not true. When I was running track events with the Shelby Club in my Mustang Cobra I looked all over for an insurance company that didn't have coverage exceptions and/or companies that would, at relatively low cost, cover my car just for track events. I'd suggest calling your agent and asking very specifically whether your car's covered at track events. LOTS of discussion about this in the Corner-Carvers forums.

Here, you have to look at your policy. Most policies will cover "instructional" driving events. You have to look closely at the policy language to be sure.

If you are doing HPDE, it should be covered. If it is actual racing - you need a special and expensive policy.

[Rob]

Yup, it depends on insurance co and policy. It used to be "as long as the event is not competitive (ie not timed)" you were ok, but now, all bets are off.

I've never heard of a problem at autocross, but that might be because accidents are so infrequent, and many of the cars are not worthy of filing claims anyway.

[Dave]

That is why I said to look closely at the policy language. Calling the agent is good, too. If you do, see if they will give you something in writing confiirming it is covered.

I called my agent before the HPDE in October because I was driving my daily car. It would be a much bigger loss than the e30.

[Charlie]

5-10 years ago, companies would usually cover 1 "oops" at an instructional HPDE, no timing equipment, no racing, etc. These days, it's pretty much an across the board "no" when it comes to on track stuff.

-Charlie

[nando]

if you are tracking your daily driver/only car, you are either really brave or a moron.

[Dave]

if you are tracking your daily driver/only car, you are either really brave or a moron.

Either that or you are a lawyer who has buttoned up a solid read of the policy language and ALSO obtained a written statement from the agent that the HPDE and any accidents were covered. Therefore, even if by some chance the auto carrier denies the claim, I also have the insurance agent on the hook on his E&O policy.

Having said that, the IS obviously was not my only car. If it got smashed, I had other wheels to use while it got fixed.

[rwh11385]

if you are tracking your daily driver/only car, you are either really brave or a moron.

going for mix of both. . .

oh well, gotta love e30 325is's. cheap to replace, then swap or replace parts, like e9nine has done a couple times.

at least none of us are tracking our e46 m3 daily drivers. . .

[alex]

People in US have been taught not to accept responsibility for their own actions. Guess who taught them that? You guessed correct: insurance companies. That was done through the legislation paid for by...yes, correct, insurance companies.

For track only/racing insurance:

http://www.kandkinsurance.com/

[tommyboy]

if you are tracking your daily driver/only car, you are either really brave or a moron.

I disagree, what makes you think that?

I don't think that wrecking on track during an HPDE is that likely. Just push the car as hard as you feel comfortable with, and hope everyone else is doing the same.