"Taking it to the track" voids your insurance?!

I drove a helluba long distance this weekend, with the intent of making some legal 1/4 mile runs :bandit

I had to wimp out because my friend (who used to work in the insurance world) read the fine print of my policy. If you even drive into the racing facility (not where the fans watch, but the racing entrance) then you're not covered!!! : Since I was in my $30,000 daily driver, I said fuggitz:mad:

Has anyone actually READ their 10 or 20 page policy? Maybe I have the only insurance company that considers the track a dangerous place? So much for being a law-abiding citizen:(

I have heard that too! A lot of companies are like that. I don't know if it is just that you are not covered while you are at the track, or if it voids it completely? Like if you wreck on the track you will not be covered, but if you wreck on the way home you will be ok!

*shrugging shoulders with hands in the air*:(

They won't cover any damage, and more than likely will drop you when you're up for renewal (because you're a bad person). So, if you lose control - hit one of the side walls (rare occurrence I know) they won't cover you. If you're driving an expensive car, then that would really suck!!! $30K down the tubes :(

it's a pretty understandable occurrence.

why should they cover you when you're intentionally "abusing" your car?

i've never heard of regular insurance covering track incidents, and vehicle warranties are the same way.

Originally posted by DMC12
They won't cover any damage, and more than likely will drop you when you're up for renewal (because you're a bad person). So, if you lose control - hit one of the side walls (rare occurrence I know) they won't cover you. If you're driving an expensive car, then that would really suck!!! $30K down the tubes :(

Even if they did cover it, and you claimed it... you'd end up paying a crapload more $$$ for insurance the years following the incident... you're still screwed...

How would they know?

if you crash into the wall, and claim it without any sort of police report, there's ways.

they can tell these things.

and your story will most likely be paper thin.

like if you crash on a road course, your ins. won't cover it.

ive noticed this on fine print aswell :(

When I set up my policy, they asked me if I ever intended to use the vehicle for racing. Seemed odd at the time, but... :o

No auto-x for the old-ass Accord. :(

Originally posted by DMC12
$30K down the tubes :(


What car?

i heard that you're not covered if you use it at a track i never knew it voided it too :o

Originally posted by fatninja19
What car?
New Chevy Suburban. Behind the wheel it seems to be faster than sh1t, but I wanted to get #'s to back that perception up.

Originally posted by DMC12

New Chevy Suburban. Behind the wheel it seems to be faster than sh1t, but I wanted to get #'s to back that perception up.

It'll run a quick 17...

5.3 liter V8
285hp @ 5200
325tq @ 4000
4914lbs

Its definately lighter than I expected... But should be in the 17-19 Second range.

Should be fun! :D Be sure to post up your time slip and wear it proudly!!

Hmm, that sucks, guess I should read my fine print as well. That's a pretty shitty way for them to keep their bottom dollar higher. I hate those people...

I find that very weird though, because that would mean that they condone street racing if they'll cover it when it's on the street, but not on the track, hmm....

I don't think it means they condone it. After all it is illegal and they don't condone tickets very well. I'm not sure about cars but my race bikes when I had them did not have insurance. I think the idea being that if you want to go the track, buy/build a race car but keep it off the streets.

It doesn't mean that the condone it verbally, or even on paper, but I think that one could be argued in court, based on the facts that have been presented thus far...

I need to check into this, because I want to get better at my 1/4 mile racing, and not leave it at 5 career runs :bloated:

I know here in Aus that some insurance companies offer 'race insurance', it is charged per day. Not real cheap... but might be worth looking into?

It doesn't void your insurance all together. But anything that happens to your car while racing legally will not be covered. Can you get race insurance for a street car but it's definetly not cheap. So it's your call

I would have thought that would be common knowledge? Honestly. Everyone here in New Zealand has the same restrictions. You take your car on the track and prang it, no coverage.

Originally posted by RazorGTR
You take your car on the track and prang it, no coverage.
Must be my idealistic mind that assumed the same insurance companies that were worried about "the public's safety" & street reacing would encourage track coverage. It would seem to me that if the insurance companies ACTUALLY cared about our safety, then they would cover maybe two track runs a month.

Just goes to show you that insurance providers, despite their advertising claims, are there for the $$$ "Show me da money!"

ok...

if you're street racing, and you crash...
they may cover it, but they may drop you all together.

if you crash it on the track, they don't cover it, but they don't drop you, or change your rate.

they simply don't cover it.

why should they cover you putting your vehicle (willfully) in a harmful enviroment meant to test the limits of the vehicle?
most people are driving outside of their limits at the track anyways...

(not putting anyone down)

but come on...
if your warranty doesn't cover damage from racing, why would your insurance company?

it's a little different than a fender bender on the street. you didn't go out there looking for it...
if you get one at the track... different story...

hrmmm...i kno it voids the car's warranty (my mom's mazda dealer was very clear about this w/ her miata) an i've heard that it'd void ur insurance. makes sense to me...

Originally posted by DMC12

Must be my idealistic mind that assumed the same insurance companies that were worried about "the public's safety" & street reacing would encourage track coverage. It would seem to me that if the insurance companies ACTUALLY cared about our safety, then they would cover maybe two track runs a month.

Just goes to show you that insurance providers, despite their advertising claims, are there for the $$$ "Show me da money!"

While this is so true, you also have to look at in their eyes. Generally speaking you are much less likely to plow into a steel or concrete barrier in the roads as you would on a track. Also the amount of "rubbing" that is truely avoided on the streets is common on a circuit. That means you're more likely to cause pannel damage and risk your health on a track then on the streets providing you are driving according to the rules of the road.

exactly...