Insurance and the 'Ring
Discussion
My insurance renewal recently came round and from this year they are specifically excluding the 'Ring by name. I've hit the phones and I've had a little difficulty in finding an insurer that will cover my car without specifically excluding the 'Ring. This is something that has been going on for the past 5 years or so, as I orginally insured my car with Privilege but they started exlcuding the 'Ring (well destricted toll roads) when Direct Line bought them. Ironically, if this is still their policy wording, I wonder how watertight it is as technically the 'Ring isn't destricted as it has speed limit at Breidsheid.
My car is an Elise with a Honda engine which, in itself, reduces the number of insurance co's willing to take me on anyway so limiting my choice. As you all know, being a public road, the 'Ring is subject to German traffic laws and, as such, you are legally required to be insured. While I don't mind my risk when driving the 'Ring, I won't drive it without having Third Party cover. Interestingly, one of the insurers (CCI),who exclude the 'Ring by name, are happy to re-insure your car up to a an agreed amount for the time you spend at the 'Ring just like they do for track days. I pointed out that the driver is still required to have Third Party cover under German law and would still be breaking the law.
Given that an increasing number of insurers are doing this, including quite a few of the big ones, I wonder how many UK drivers are driving the 'Ring without Third Party cover and fully appreciate the consequences of doing so. Just a pity a swtiched on insurer didn't offer a policy that reduced to Third Party cover when you were on the 'Ring. After all, the risk to them must be quite small as there are very few vehicle to vehicle collisions, and of those a tiny number that result serious injuries and therefore potential injury claims. I guess it's easier just to exclude it.
Anyway, I managed to find someone that will cover the Honda Elise for reasonable money without exluding the 'Ring but if they change their policy wording next year then my 'Ring driving days in my Elise may be over.
I wouldn't mind some views on this as I'm thinking of writing to the insurance ombudsman although this could make matters worse I suppose.
Ta
>> Edited by cortell on Friday 4th November 13:40
My car is an Elise with a Honda engine which, in itself, reduces the number of insurance co's willing to take me on anyway so limiting my choice. As you all know, being a public road, the 'Ring is subject to German traffic laws and, as such, you are legally required to be insured. While I don't mind my risk when driving the 'Ring, I won't drive it without having Third Party cover. Interestingly, one of the insurers (CCI),who exclude the 'Ring by name, are happy to re-insure your car up to a an agreed amount for the time you spend at the 'Ring just like they do for track days. I pointed out that the driver is still required to have Third Party cover under German law and would still be breaking the law.
Given that an increasing number of insurers are doing this, including quite a few of the big ones, I wonder how many UK drivers are driving the 'Ring without Third Party cover and fully appreciate the consequences of doing so. Just a pity a swtiched on insurer didn't offer a policy that reduced to Third Party cover when you were on the 'Ring. After all, the risk to them must be quite small as there are very few vehicle to vehicle collisions, and of those a tiny number that result serious injuries and therefore potential injury claims. I guess it's easier just to exclude it.
Anyway, I managed to find someone that will cover the Honda Elise for reasonable money without exluding the 'Ring but if they change their policy wording next year then my 'Ring driving days in my Elise may be over.
I wouldn't mind some views on this as I'm thinking of writing to the insurance ombudsman although this could make matters worse I suppose.
Ta
>> Edited by cortell on Friday 4th November 13:40
Trackday forum would be better mate- use the search function its been discussed a few times over there, a friendly mod may move this for ya.
Thing is with TV progs on it etc (fecking Top Gear!) & the huge response it got- every car forum ive ever seem were discussing it & folks who had never been were planning trips, the place is now so well known known & loads of brits go & every weeknd brit cars crash there in growing numbers- & thats a lot of claims over a year, yet 10 yrs ago its was waaaay less busy & even as near as 5yrs ago really only car spods knew about it & not many brits crashed thus few claims.
Maybe an unpopular opinion but I think Ben Lovejoy has to take some of the flak myself, yeh informative site etc but without it I feel there wouldnt have been such a media interest in the past few yrs & brit visitor numbers would be far lower?
Thing is with TV progs on it etc (fecking Top Gear!) & the huge response it got- every car forum ive ever seem were discussing it & folks who had never been were planning trips, the place is now so well known known & loads of brits go & every weeknd brit cars crash there in growing numbers- & thats a lot of claims over a year, yet 10 yrs ago its was waaaay less busy & even as near as 5yrs ago really only car spods knew about it & not many brits crashed thus few claims.
Maybe an unpopular opinion but I think Ben Lovejoy has to take some of the flak myself, yeh informative site etc but without it I feel there wouldnt have been such a media interest in the past few yrs & brit visitor numbers would be far lower?
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