DE Events and Insurance, What insurance carrier to you use? Options

[flat4tom]

Hello all,

It was my intention all along to take my 914 out to a DE event at Thunderhill Raceway when it was ready. I've finally got the car running well enough to be thinking about this.

What insurance company(s) do you use to insure your street drivable 914 when you take it to a DE track event?

Currently, my other 'classic' cars are insured with Grundy Worldwide...no I haven't contacted them yet but will be. I just wanted to know who other people were using and why?

Thanks for any info. I've never participated in a DE event before so this is all new to me.

Tom
'73 2.0

[jhadler]

I'll echo the above comments:

- Never, ever, ever mention the "R" word. Let it slip even once, you're done.

- Read the rules of the event you're participating in carefully. Very carefully. Look for descriptions of the event in the beginning of the rules. If the words "Race" or "Competition" appear, you are probably gonna be denied if you make a claim. And might even be dropped. So exercise caution in this arena.

- Read your policy carefully. Some will exclude "Racing" events. Some will exclude "Timed Competition" events. Some will exclude "Competition" events (yes, that means that even Concours could possibly be excluded depending on the company and the adjuster). And some will exclude any event that takes place on a "permanent racing circuit" or similar language. Some will even exclude any situation that occurs at extra-legal speeds.

I have been involved in a few car-event related claims (once as a claimant, a couple of times as an event official). I've seen it go well, and I've seen it go not-so-well.

I have State Farm. I know for a fact, in writing, that I'm covered at an Autox. I also know that, once at the track, I'm on my own once the timer starts, and that it's my dime if something happens. Driver's Ed events: While I have not tested it personally, I can speak from experience that State Farm fully covered a fellow driver who balled up a Subie STi at a driver's ed event a few years back.

I have a philosophy of track driving... Never take your car onto the track unless you're prepared to walk away from it. Sh*t can happen no matter the level of preparation or experience, and at high speeds, that sh*t usually means deformation of metal. This philosophy has kept my mindset where I can afford it. It also means that I, as a rule, don't drive other people's cars at the track (autox is totally another matter), as I can't afford to buy their cars.

Be cautious, and YMMV...

-Josh2