Track Day Insurance

[MarkCup]

Ive got a track day at Castle Combe to book up some time before June 04 and was wondering what, if anything, people do regarding their insurance?

Ive read that unless theres a specific exclusion on your normal policy, as youd not be racing or timing on the day, conventional insurance should cover it.

Ive also read that to go round a track with no specific policy is mad!

So what should I do? Anyone know any reputable companies that offer reasonable track day cover?

 

[christimson]

Competition car insurance. Expensive but thats insurance. Most people dont take it.

 

[chris172]

Doesnt the track offer any??

 

[telford_mike]

Whatever you do dont rely on your normal insurance unless you have written confirmation in triplicate signed by the Pope that trackdays are covered. They might say one thing on the phone, but just try making a claim!

That said I personally never bother. The premiums are expensive and the cover is very poor.

 

[RobFenn]

You wont crash into anything at Castle Combe.

-Rob

 

[haitch]

if u crash jus get ur car towed outside and call the AA.

 

[MarkCup]

I guess the excess on track insurance would be very high too >£1,000?

Mike - dont you worry that you might over do it and end up without a car cause you binned it into a tyre wall?

Rob - have you been to Castle Combe? I was talking to a guy that races Formula Renault and he was saying theres little or no run-off at several points on the track where youd be carrying some serious speed.

Its just me being over cautious I guess...

 

[BrynO]

Quote: Originally posted by RobFenn on 29 October 2003


You wont crash into anything at Castle Combe.

-Rob

But someone else with no insurance cover might crash into you!

Its up to you really, lots of people dont bother, youd have to be pretty unlucky to stuff your car on the track - but ive seen it happen, even at Castle Coombe which has lots of safe run off areas and its not an especially quick track.

 

[Dafydd]

ive said it before but in my policy from HIC i have trackday cover included, i have it written down

 

[BrynO]

Oh yeah, I meant to say from my experience Castle Coombe is well marshalled compared to other tracks I have been on, which means idiots likely to cause danger to others dont stay on the track for long, at normal track speeds the run off areas should keep you safe if it all goes wrong, the Formula Renos will be running at speeds way faster than us mere mortals are likely to achieve. If you are still bothered about safety, why not try an airfield event (try bookatrack) cant do much damage with plastic cones!

 

[telford_mike]

Quote: Originally posted by Not_for_long on 29 October 2003


I guess the excess on track insurance would be very high too >£1,000?

You can choose the amount of cover and the excess. These numbers are governed only by the amount that you wish to pay.

Mike - dont you worry that you might over do it and end up without a car cause you binned it into a tyre wall?

Strangely enough I dont worry about it at all - trackdays are safer than driving up the M1 IMO. Simple equation really - trackday = affordable; trackday + insurance not affordable.

Its just me being over cautious I guess...

If youre new to trackdays its understandable that you think its a free for all with hardly any cars left by the end. But it really isnt like that. The great majority of people drive responsibly, and the chances are that your car is one of the cheaper ones.... other people have a lot more to lose than you do.

 

[MarkCup]

Right, thanks for that...Im convinced.

Every fibre of my body says "get a specific policy" but the rest of me says "save it for a Magnex"...I think the Magnex is gonna win.

 

[viceroy]

Having just started doing track days myself...done a whole 1, I was also worried about my car on the track, but I went down, had a look, went out with mate in his car to learn the track, and then grabbed a helmet and went out myself.

If youve got a pretty powerful car then chances are youll not be passed, and will be passing some slower cars...In this case theyll generally indicate which side you should pass on, or theyll slow slightly and letyou through...most guys wont pass on corners.

If someone does come up behind you, just stay on one side of the track and let them know which side to pass you on...

Quite civilised, and as said before there are a lot of really expensive machines out there and the have a lot more to lose than you do