Track Insurance

Never had it, never will.

 

See this post: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=137402241&postcount=33

No affiliation, no endorsement, ymmv.

 

I don't have track coverage. But I wouldn't take a policy that forbids me to track the car at my own risk.

 

Far from me to put words in Brian's mouth, but that hasn't stopped me before... <grin>

IMO, when you drive as much on track, in as many different cars on track and with as much confidence (born of that experience) on track, it's not necessary or even in the thinking process of most experienced drivers and racers (like Brian or myself) to take out on-track insurance. This is one of the reasons why there isn't a larger market for underwriters.

Realistically, you are in charge of your destiny while on track and even in the worst case, it is highly unlikely that a majority of casual track users will ever have an incident, let alone one that causes enough damage to result in a significant claim. The premiums of such insurance can be substantial.

To give you an example, I was track chair for the 1999 FCA Annual Meet at Road Atlanta. We had 218 cars on track over thee days at a circuit ringed by 8 to 12 feet tall concrete walls within forty feet of the track surface 85% around the circuit, which is "high-risk" for amateur drivers, no matter how you slice it. There were four single-car incidents that resulted in damage, only one of which (the IMSA Lights car) that resulted in significant damage. I've spent a lot of time at events where there was NO damage. It really boils down to the "loose nut behind the wheel."

In professional sports car racing, it is not uncommon for team owners to require the "pay" drivers to supply (or pay for) on-track insurance, especially if their resume is not lengthy. The more time on track and the better the "history" of the driver as a "thinking" person rather than a loose cannon, the less likely it is that track insurance will be required in that venue.

Clearly, there are enough HPDE and track day folks who can afford and feel that they need that "safety net" so that there are providers. There are also conventional policies and coverage that extend to on-track use as long as the event is specifically operated as a "school" and not as a "timed competition." That's a requirement in my state, AFAIK.

You need to make your own decision. Brian and I are comfortable with ours... Right, buddy?

 

These are becoming fewer and further between I think. I know most policies WOULD pay for that an accident in a non-competitive instructional on track incident but now most will specifically state they WILL NOT pay for an incident like that.

I have seen more than a few cars damaged at DE's at Texas World Speedway and frankly that is pretty hard to do as most barriers are well away from the track surface.

Most of the track/racing insurance that I have seen is a. expensive and b. carries a $10,000 deductible! YEOW!

Go to the track and be careful and listen to your instructor, that is the best way to stay safe. Use any traction control device the car was shipped with for at least your first few events and then try turning it off but be VERY CAREFUL! I had a student that on the second day insisted on turning off the system no his 996 911 and within a lap we had spun the car! I was not surprised in the least as I had felt the system kicking in all weekend saving his bacon, he just didn't believe it.

 

I am an agent based in Atlanta, and I offer on-track physical damage coverage for non-racing, DE events. Conditions and deductibles will vary based on underwriting criteria (type of car, driving record, etc.) The policy is an annual policy, with no limit to the number of events you may attend. There are some important exclusions, however, and you need to be aware of them.

If you would like more information, please let me know and I will be happy to forward it.

Anna McManus
Liability Underwriters Inc.
P.O. Box 527
Cumming, GA 30028
678-513-4799

[email protected]

 

100%. You pay to play.

Plus, I really don't take my road car on the track. When I do take road cars on tracks, I'm very comfortable being behind the wheel.

 

+1

Thank you for your post, Anna.

 

Peter,

FYI.
When you posted all the great links in Decmeber for track insurance I send apps to 4 of them. I have got no replys. They all seem to be willing to write physical damge policies but no one will actually write a race liability policy in case someone dies or is injured and they say it is your fault. One of the guys said I don't know what is happening call KK directly. KK the big underwriter will not even give me the courtesy of a return phone call.