Ask the Expert: track day insurance
Sponsored content: Kevin Pratt of MoneySuperMarket addresses the pros and cons of track day insurance
I'm keen to go on a track day, but I'm not sure about the insurance implications. Can you give me an idea about what's involved? Am I covered by my normal policy?
Andy, Hertford
MoneySuperMarket's Kevin Pratt says: It's almost certain that your standard, year-round car insurance policy has a chunk of small print that specifically excludes track days. If you're lucky, you might have cover for 'non-competitive' events, but it's worth checking exactly what the insurer means by this term. The code of practice of the Association of Track Day Organisers has 10 points designed to enhance safety, and the first on the list states: "Track days shall be non-competitive..." So in other words, it might come down to the nature of the event you're participating in. Bottom line: check before you go.
If your normal policy doesn't cover you but you want insurance while you're driving at a track day, you'll need to buy a separate policy, which will have loads of restrictions, and which will work in a different way to a standard contract. But before we drill into the detail, you might be wondering whether you're actually obliged to have any kind of insurance at this kind of event. The short answer is no, you're not.
When you participate, you'll be asked to sign a waiver which absolves other drivers from their potential liabilities towards you - and, by extension, yours towards them. That means you're responsible for any damage sustained to your own car, whether you drove into a barrier or someone else drove into you.
By the same token, you're not liable for the other guy's repairs if you drive into someone else. That does not mean, of course, that you have carte blanche to career around like a maniac. First off, you've probably got too many smarts to behave in such a way. But even the if excitement sends a rush of blood to your head, the stewards will flag you off the track sharpish and provide a vigorous, detailed and unabashed account of your shortcomings.
And the laws of the land still apply on a driving track. If you do behave dangerously and end up injuring or even killing someone, there's every possibility they (or their family) might sue you for damages if recklessness or intent can be proved. Best advice? By all means put your car through its paces and up your heart-rate into the bargain. But don't do anything that puts the health and well-being of yourself, your passenger or anyone else in jeopardy.
OK - so back to the details of track day policies - here's what to look out for...
• Typically, you must be at least 21 and have two year's driving experience to qualify. You might get a discount for track driving experience. You'd be lucky to get cover if you're older than 70 or maybe 75.
• Cover is available for a day or, in some cases, two days (to cover a weekend event).
• You'll be covered for collision damage. If you cause damage to your engine or transmission because you've got a heavy right foot, you won't be able to claim. Some policies don't cover 'consumables' such as tyres and bulbs.
• Brace yourself for a stiff excess, probably around 10 per cent of your car's value. So that will push you deep into four-figure territory in many cases.
• The premium will probably come in around 1 per cent of the car's value, although other factors such as your age will come into play.
• You can get cover for a second driver if you're going to the track day with a pal or partner.
• The track day insurer will agree the car's valuation with you beforehand, but the insurer might only provide cover up to a maximum value, say £50,000. There might also be restrictions on the age of the car.
• Ditto that for modifications: you'll be asked to list any work done to the vehicle beyond its original spec and the insurer will price the cover accordingly.
• Most policies will arrange for you to be towed home (or to another agreed destination) if you can't drive the car back because of damage. Not all extend this to mechanical failure, though.
• If the event is cancelled, you'll either get a refund or a credit against the cost of insuring your next track day.
• If you do make a claim on your track day cover, it won't affect your no claims bonus on your main policy. But if your car is damaged and subsequently repaired, it's as well to tell your main insurer, just to avoid potential strife if you have to make another claim back out in the real world.
If you're one of the increasing number of British drivers who head to Germany to pit their wits against Nurburgring, you might think the European cover provided by your normal car insurance will be sufficient for you needs. It's a public road, after all... Again, however, you're likely to be excluded from cover if you drive on a 'prepared course' (which The 'ring most certainly is) or if you indulge in 'racing' of any kind. Some policies even state that you're only insured for 'normal' driving.
You can get Nurburgring insurance, which will cover the cost of damage to your car and to the Armco crash barriers. Again, you're not liable for third-party damage except on designated days. Policies can be extended to provide cover for such circumstances.
If you're heading abroad, make sure you're car insurance is up to scratch for driving on normal European roads. Most policies only provide third-party cover overseas unless you pay extra. European breakdown cover is a good idea, too, especially if you're driving a temperamental thoroughbred rather than a reliable workhorse.
So much for the hardware. What about the soft tissue?
You should think about life insurance and personal injury cover if you're undertaking hazardous activities. Actually, you should have it anyway if you've got dependents - after all, none of us knows the hour, as it says in the Bible. As with car insurance, standard personal protection policies will probably exclude track day driving, so you'd need a policy that provided protection for the particular event. The broker who helps you sort your track day protection for the car will probably see you right on this score as well.
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Subsequent attempts of getting on a track have ended in "That's just too expensive" as the 1% rule kills me. Say you have a car c.£45k you have to pay approx £450 for a day!! I've tried ManningUK who include cover but that premium was £4k (Yes!) which is £3,200 more than my current premium. There must be a better way, or should I just track a cheap car?
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