Car Insurance for Track Use

NismoJim · 10-07-2010, 06:34 AM

Hi Guys,

I bought a 2010 Nismo a few months ago. I plan on taking this car to the track and auto-cross events several times during the year.
I was hoping someone here could give me advice on how you insure your vehicle when it is used on the track. I heard a horror story the other day about a co-worker who crashed his car at the track and his insurance company would no pay for the damages (>$30K). Do insurance companies offer specific coverage for this type of use? Are there special insurance companies that only offer track use coverage (if there is such a thing)? Again I was hoping to get some ideas from those of you who track your car before I call my insurance company.
Thank you in advance for your comments!
Jim

spearfish25 · 10-07-2010, 07:14 AM

There are special 'track day' insurance policies offered by small companies. They are typically expensive and have high deductibles. One quote I received was $3,000 for 4 events and a $3,000 deductible. If you're a hardcore trackday guru, perhaps that's worthwhile.

When I had the same worries you're sharing, I called my insurance company. I told them I had signed up for a HPDE (High Performance Driver's Education course). She asked if it was timed or a race which an HPDE is neither. So, given its educational content and lack of competition, she said I was fully covered and eligible for a safe driving discount for taking an educational driving course. Boo ya!

As for autoX, it would be very difficult to destroy your car. I wouldn't worry too much about that.

flashburn · 10-07-2010, 07:18 AM

Spearfish, what insurance company do you have? I know this thing can vary from state to state, but I'm just interested. I have Allstate and I'm pretty sure they don't cover it.

flashburn · 10-07-2010, 07:19 AM

Also here are a couple HPDE specific insurance policies:
WSIB Insurance Agency, LLC
HPDE Insurance Program

red6spd · 10-07-2010, 08:23 AM

Be careful what you say to your company. I think most people just take the risk, and if something happens they lie about where it happen. I remember I went to an Auto X event back when I had my Altima, and I noticed a bunch of guys had tape over there plates. I asked them why they where doing this and they told me last time they where here there was an investigator from a big insurance company taking peoples plate numbers. I hate insurance companies.

flashburn · 10-07-2010, 08:33 AM

This is all hypothetical....but...

Don't you usually need a police report when filing an accident claim with the insurance company? Or would you just get the car towed to a local shop and then call your insurance company? Wouldn't they inquire about where the accident happened?

Mike · 10-07-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashburn

This is all hypothetical....but...

Don't you usually need a police report when filing an accident claim with the insurance company? Or would you just get the car towed to a local shop and then call your insurance company? Wouldn't they inquire about where the accident happened?

No, I have had accidents without police reports before when I was younger and still got the car fixed.

As for the track, when I had my off, I just sucked it up and paid for the damages (about 5000, and thats with my parts at wholesale).

sig11 · 10-07-2010, 11:26 AM

Lockton Affinity is a bit cheaper but it requires approved clubs and events. HPDE Insurance Program

Red__Zed · 10-07-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

No, I have had accidents without police reports before when I was younger and still got the car fixed.

As for the track, when I had my off, I just sucked it up and paid for the damages (about 5000, and thats with my parts at wholesale).

every insurance company is different. My fiancee had an issue that wasn't covered due to the fact that no police report was filed.

spearfish25 · 10-07-2010, 05:28 PM

Well, police reports don't demand calling the police when an accident happens. You just go to a police station, file a report, and tell them whatever you want.

On Z Way · 11-20-2010, 10:20 PM

I was under the impression that insurance does not cover your car for track use.
Have seen a good amount of guys loose control out there, and tow it somewhere esle then report it. lols

crash1369 · 11-20-2010, 11:46 PM

The only way you can be certain of anything is to find out from your insurance. Read your insurance policy, most people don't but that is the details of what is covered under your policy. If you still have questions, which seems likely considering how clearly lawyers usually word things, or you are to lazy to read the damn thing you will have to call them. Anything else is speculation, the downside of course is even just asking questions can send up a red flag

but that's the chance you take.

I hadn't thought about this though so I guess I'll have to go dig my policy out and see what it says but your probably better off just paying for any damages incured yourself. Even if it's expensive, it will be cheaper for you to pay it out of pocket in the long run then after they raise your rates and you are stuck paying for it for the foreseeable future.

spearfish25 · 11-21-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flashburn

spearfish, what insurance company do you have? I know this thing can vary from state to state, but i'm just interested. I have allstate and i'm pretty sure they don't cover it.

usaa

On Z Way · 11-21-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash1369

The only way you can be certain of anything is to find out from your insurance. Read your insurance policy, most people don't but that is the details of what is covered under your policy. If you still have questions, which seems likely considering how clearly lawyers usually word things, or you are to lazy to read the damn thing you will have to call them. Anything else is speculation, the downside of course is even just asking questions can send up a red flag

but that's the chance you take.

I hadn't thought about this though so I guess I'll have to go dig my policy out and see what it says but your probably better off just paying for any damages incured yourself. Even if it's expensive, it will be cheaper for you to pay it out of pocket in the long run then after they raise your rates and you are stuck paying for it for the foreseeable future.

ChrisSlicks · 11-21-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NismoJim

I bought a 2010 Nismo a few months ago. I plan on taking this car to the track and auto-cross events several times during the year.
I was hoping someone here could give me advice on how you insure your vehicle when it is used on the track. I heard a horror story the other day about a co-worker who crashed his car at the track and his insurance company would no pay for the damages (>$30K). Do insurance companies offer specific coverage for this type of use? Are there special insurance companies that only offer track use coverage (if there is such a thing)? Again I was hoping to get some ideas from those of you who track your car before I call my insurance company.
Thank you in advance for your comments!

You have to read the fine print. Some insurance companies will cover untimed driver education track days (HPDE) but most are starting to change their policies such that you aren't covered anytime you are a track. This past August at an event I was at a guy crashed his Subaru into the wall at 100 mph and totaled it. He told his insurance company the honest truth (after having his lawyer review the policy) and they covered it.

At SCDA, NASA and BMW CCA events you can apply for event insurance, it is roughly $200 per event (1, 2 or 3 days) per $30K declared value.
HPDE Insurance Program

10-07-2010, 06:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
NismoJim Base Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New England Posts: 35 Drives: 2010 Nismo MB Rep Power: 14	Car Insurance for Track Use Hi Guys, I bought a 2010 Nismo a few months ago. I plan on taking this car to the track and auto-cross events several times during the year. I was hoping someone here could give me advice on how you insure your vehicle when it is used on the track. I heard a horror story the other day about a co-worker who crashed his car at the track and his insurance company would no pay for the damages (>$30K). Do insurance companies offer specific coverage for this type of use? Are there special insurance companies that only offer track use coverage (if there is such a thing)? Again I was hoping to get some ideas from those of you who track your car before I call my insurance company. Thank you in advance for your comments! Jim

10-07-2010, 07:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	There are special 'track day' insurance policies offered by small companies. They are typically expensive and have high deductibles. One quote I received was $3,000 for 4 events and a $3,000 deductible. If you're a hardcore trackday guru, perhaps that's worthwhile. When I had the same worries you're sharing, I called my insurance company. I told them I had signed up for a HPDE (High Performance Driver's Education course). She asked if it was timed or a race which an HPDE is neither. So, given its educational content and lack of competition, she said I was fully covered and eligible for a safe driving discount for taking an educational driving course. Boo ya! As for autoX, it would be very difficult to destroy your car. I wouldn't worry too much about that. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

10-07-2010, 07:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
flashburn A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,884 Drives: '12 Corvette GS 6M Rep Power: 18	Spearfish, what insurance company do you have? I know this thing can vary from state to state, but I'm just interested. I have Allstate and I'm pretty sure they don't cover it. __________________ Current Ride: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Edition Carbon Flash 6M Previous Ride: 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport Platinum Graphite 7AT

10-07-2010, 07:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
flashburn A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,884 Drives: '12 Corvette GS 6M Rep Power: 18	Also here are a couple HPDE specific insurance policies: WSIB Insurance Agency, LLC HPDE Insurance Program __________________ Current Ride: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Edition Carbon Flash 6M Previous Ride: 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport Platinum Graphite 7AT

10-07-2010, 08:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
red6spd A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 3,277 Drives: 2010 Z Coupe M6 SPT Rep Power: 21	Be careful what you say to your company. I think most people just take the risk, and if something happens they lie about where it happen. I remember I went to an Auto X event back when I had my Altima, and I noticed a bunch of guys had tape over there plates. I asked them why they where doing this and they told me last time they where here there was an investigator from a big insurance company taking peoples plate numbers. I hate insurance companies. __________________ 2010 Base+Sport 6spd: Stillen G3, FI Non-Resonated CBE, FI Non-Resonated Test Pipes, UpRev Tuned, Custom 24R Oil Cooler, JDM Rear Fog-OEM Harness. ???Whp ???WTQ (Will find out come spring time)

10-07-2010, 08:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
flashburn A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,884 Drives: '12 Corvette GS 6M Rep Power: 18	This is all hypothetical....but... Don't you usually need a police report when filing an accident claim with the insurance company? Or would you just get the car towed to a local shop and then call your insurance company? Wouldn't they inquire about where the accident happened? __________________ Current Ride: 2012 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Centennial Edition Carbon Flash 6M Previous Ride: 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport Platinum Graphite 7AT

10-07-2010, 11:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 17	Lockton Affinity is a bit cheaper but it requires approved clubs and events. HPDE Insurance Program

10-07-2010, 05:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	Well, police reports don't demand calling the police when an accident happens. You just go to a police station, file a report, and tell them whatever you want. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

11-20-2010, 10:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
On Z Way Base Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sin City, Nevada Posts: 39 Drives: 370Z, EK9 Rep Power: 14	I was under the impression that insurance does not cover your car for track use. Have seen a good amount of guys loose control out there, and tow it somewhere esle then report it. lols Last edited by On Z Way; 11-21-2010 at 12:53 PM.

11-20-2010, 11:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
crash1369 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tobyharlem Age: 41 Posts: 474 Drives: C300 - 6spd Rep Power: 728	The only way you can be certain of anything is to find out from your insurance. Read your insurance policy, most people don't but that is the details of what is covered under your policy. If you still have questions, which seems likely considering how clearly lawyers usually word things, or you are to lazy to read the damn thing you will have to call them. Anything else is speculation, the downside of course is even just asking questions can send up a red flag but that's the chance you take. I hadn't thought about this though so I guess I'll have to go dig my policy out and see what it says but your probably better off just paying for any damages incured yourself. Even if it's expensive, it will be cheaper for you to pay it out of pocket in the long run then after they raise your rates and you are stuck paying for it for the foreseeable future. __________________ "At no point during your rambling, incoherent response did you ever come close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. We are all now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may god have mercy on your soul." Last edited by crash1369; 11-20-2010 at 11:48 PM.

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