Insurance coverage and race tracks

[sharpie6]

I have been thinking about having my first track day, but my biggest concern isn't the prep work for the bike, I want to know if in the event of a crash, insurance companies would pay out for it.

I called my insurance company today (I have Esurance) My policy is for full coverage.

I checked my policy, but unsure i called my agent. The agent i spoke with wasn't able to give me a straight yes or no answer because it was kind of a gray area in the terms of coverage in my policy.

Word for word my policy states:

Your insured vehicle is excluded if:
a: used in any unlawful trade or transportation
b: used for a commercial purpose
c: being operated in or planning for any:
-race
-speed contest
-hill-climbing contest; or
-performance contest of any kind

We both interpreted this as saying "As long as you are not racing or participating in any kind of competition, you are insured"

Do you guys agree? What experiences have you had with insurance companies and tracks?

Is use of the track defined as racing, or simply just use of the track?

Thanks in advance

[depths_of_mind]

Dunno man.. playing devils advocate, I can see them putting it under a "speed challenge". Might want to look at an independant insurance for the track day in question ( BTW, I don't have any pointers at to which company would do that ).

[scottynoface]

Pretty sure you are not insured at the track on most policies.

[3digitspeed]

I personally believe they should, due to the fact that you are trying to learn or improve skills on a closed course without police, traffic, pedestrians, etc. But my opinion won't pay for any damages if you wreck so I would say a definite NO on the insurance coverage. I just have liability on my rides, I am planning to go to the track for the first time sometime this year. Now if I paid out my wazoo for full coverage for my bikes I would have half a mind to toss my bike off the trailer or truck on the way home, then make the claim. I looked at another forum and some have stated that as long as it is not a "timed" event then you are covered. I wouldn't stop with an unsure answer from the agent. Good luck and let us know what you find out.

[sharpie6]

ugh, that sucks, because there is no way i'm gonna go unless i'm insured.

[SilentTJ]

rent a u-haul. if you crash, on the way home... crash the u-haul and say the bike got damaged from that crash

[BradsKat]

Most policies have blanket exclusions for "off road" use - that would certainly include the track. If you don't have that exclusion I'm sure there is some other general exclusion that they can use to cover track use.

[Zepp]

I have had my friends check theirs and they were told that as long as it wasn't an organized racing event, like a WERA race or something, then you ARE covered. It is considered as an exercise to improve your riding skills.

[rexazz2]

dito on the off road use no insurance
if you could find coverage they will rape you on the cost

[md86]

DUde , if they can get out of paying you , they're gonna . They WILL call it whatever they have to to get out of it . It's a business out toMAKE money , not give it away . It ain't gonna matter .

[ADyingBreed]

DUde , if they can get out of paying you , they're gonna . They WILL call it whatever they have to to get out of it . It's a business out toMAKE money , not give it away . It ain't gonna matter .

i work for a health insurance company and we all know how they try to get out of paying claims.

[md86]

Oh , I KNOW . My dr called them to see if they covered something . They told me it was covered it 100% . Then 2 months later I got a nice large bill from them .When I asked ,they said my company decided they only wanted to pay part of it . Said they do it all the time . I'm told my allergy shots are covered at 100% , too . Waiting on another large bill from THAT one ....

[Ft campbell Busa]

I asked State Farm about my racing at the Drag Strip and they stated that it would not be covered! They also said that most Insurance companies would not cover any damages. I asked about my Mustang also and got the same response. I then asked them if I decided to buy a brand new Corvette and take it to the track just for fun and get into an accident would it be covered? Same reply....................I'm stuck with the bill and car note. What is more strange is that it is nearly 8pm here and while typing this reply just now, State Farm just called and would like to go over my policy! Maybe they saw me at the track, lol. Strange.................................FCB

[sharpie6]

Well, I just got my packet to renew my policy for the year. This one specifically says I am not covered if the bike is used for any reason on a sanctioned or unsanctioned race course. Even in non-competition.

At least my premium went down $80 from last year!

[JimG4652]

Got a cop-buddy? Get him to write out an accident report and say you were driving down the road when the wreck happened. just kidding, then it'd be fraud if you got caught..