Insurance recommendations
Discussion
Hello all,
I’m sure this has been done to death, I have searched but it appears as the years have gone by, certain companies have changed and are no longer offering cover. So I thought I would ask for some fresh input.
As a bit of background, I used to go out to the ring occasionally about ten years ago, used to do a few laps over a weekend and head home. So I have some track experience. I am now looking at getting a cheap track car, something like a Clio 1*2, 225 Megane or another trusty MX5. So something with a relatively low value. I am based between Brands and Lydden hill, so would intend on doing a few a year at each venue.
I made some enquiries earlier in the year with Grove & Dean, Morris, Classic Line, Footman James and all were unable to quote me on a road policy including track days. I have no points and no accidents so suspect my driving history isn’t the issue here, but I could be mistaken.
I am not concerned about the loss of my own vehicle, don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t be happy about it, however my main concern is track damages if I am to have an off.
Is anyone able to recommend anyone for road and track cover? I have made enquiries for one off cover, but in some instances the insurance is more than the track day cost which I found surprising.
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance.
I’m sure this has been done to death, I have searched but it appears as the years have gone by, certain companies have changed and are no longer offering cover. So I thought I would ask for some fresh input.
As a bit of background, I used to go out to the ring occasionally about ten years ago, used to do a few laps over a weekend and head home. So I have some track experience. I am now looking at getting a cheap track car, something like a Clio 1*2, 225 Megane or another trusty MX5. So something with a relatively low value. I am based between Brands and Lydden hill, so would intend on doing a few a year at each venue.
I made some enquiries earlier in the year with Grove & Dean, Morris, Classic Line, Footman James and all were unable to quote me on a road policy including track days. I have no points and no accidents so suspect my driving history isn’t the issue here, but I could be mistaken.
I am not concerned about the loss of my own vehicle, don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t be happy about it, however my main concern is track damages if I am to have an off.
Is anyone able to recommend anyone for road and track cover? I have made enquiries for one off cover, but in some instances the insurance is more than the track day cost which I found surprising.
Thanks in advance for any advice or guidance.
+1 on Howden Thatcham for road cover including track-day cover.
However, if you only want insurance for circuit damage I'm not sure if that's as important on UK tracks. Some tracks mention it in their T&Cs but I can't remember if that's for track days or for testing (Silverstone certainly mention it in one of their briefings). I've never heard of a Track Day participant being charged for track damage, and, think our club mentioned they've only be charged once for a specific moment at a race meeting.
Before paying for it you may want to check the terms at Brands etc.
However, if you only want insurance for circuit damage I'm not sure if that's as important on UK tracks. Some tracks mention it in their T&Cs but I can't remember if that's for track days or for testing (Silverstone certainly mention it in one of their briefings). I've never heard of a Track Day participant being charged for track damage, and, think our club mentioned they've only be charged once for a specific moment at a race meeting.
Before paying for it you may want to check the terms at Brands etc.
I found the same earlier on in the year when I purchased an old Z3.
The requirements were around 2,000 miles for the year - no trackday cover.
With my NCB / years driving I thought specialists like FJ would probably cost around £150 - after enquiring with "specialists" I was quoted close to £1k!
It wasnt "classic" enough supposedly.
Ended up just insuring on a normal policy with a mainstream provider for £250.
The requirements were around 2,000 miles for the year - no trackday cover.
With my NCB / years driving I thought specialists like FJ would probably cost around £150 - after enquiring with "specialists" I was quoted close to £1k!
It wasnt "classic" enough supposedly.
Ended up just insuring on a normal policy with a mainstream provider for £250.
WombleCate said:
However, if you only want insurance for circuit damage I'm not sure if that's as important on UK tracks. Some tracks mention it in their T&Cs but I can't remember if that's for track days or for testing (Silverstone certainly mention it in one of their briefings). I've never heard of a Track Day participant being charged for track damage, and, think our club mentioned they've only be charged once for a specific moment at a race meeting.
Before paying for it you may want to check the terms at Brands etc.
Exactly that. Before paying for it you may want to check the terms at Brands etc.
UK circuits do not routinely charge for barrier damage and the disclaimers aim to exclude any liability between participants; completely unlike driving at the Ring.
This also means that even if you do get insurance for trackdays, it will not normally cover barriers or other damage and is only for damage to your own car.
Thank you all very much indeed for the help and advice offered here. It’s greatly appreciated.
I think my only experience being with the ring has probably lead me astray and confused me a bit regards how UK track days work. So thanks for highlighting that for me.
If the policy will only cover my own car, due to its potential low value, I wouldn’t be too concerned about it becoming damaged. Reading the BAC Mono thread in this section I was quite surprised to see how things work on track days. I didn’t quite realise that you are liable for your own repairs regardless of fault (however I guess it’s pretty difficult from an insurance perspective to a point blame).
Thanks once again for the help here.
I think my only experience being with the ring has probably lead me astray and confused me a bit regards how UK track days work. So thanks for highlighting that for me.
If the policy will only cover my own car, due to its potential low value, I wouldn’t be too concerned about it becoming damaged. Reading the BAC Mono thread in this section I was quite surprised to see how things work on track days. I didn’t quite realise that you are liable for your own repairs regardless of fault (however I guess it’s pretty difficult from an insurance perspective to a point blame).
Thanks once again for the help here.
That is correct, in the UK you insure your own car against damage, no matter who is deemed to be at fault. Motorsport is a risky business, you accept a level of risk by taking your car on track with other cars. If you aren't that bothered about damage to your own car then i wouldn't get insurance. I have done dozens of track days and never insured my own car- it hasn't been worth it.
FWIW, car to car contact is very rare at trackdays. Car to barrier contact slightly more common, but as mentioned, I have never known a UK circuit to charge for damages, unlike a TF session at the ring.
FWIW, car to car contact is very rare at trackdays. Car to barrier contact slightly more common, but as mentioned, I have never known a UK circuit to charge for damages, unlike a TF session at the ring.
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