possibly stupid question

[oregonduckman]

Does anyone know of an insurance company that will cover a car during an AutoX event?

[LUCKY DAVE]

Sure, they all will!

(as long as they don't know about it)

[oregonduckman]

Since I have classified my question as possibly stupid (my brain got bounced around pretty good on turn 9) I can't tell if you are yanking my chain.

[Greg Phillips]

There are insurance companies that write policies specifically for DE track events and would probably include autocross in that regard. Look in Pano or Excellence for them, possibly Hagerty?
Many regular policies have exclusions for competitive or timed events. That being said, only the 3 timed runs are competitive and up until then one could argue you are practicing your driving skills in a parking lot
Depends on how creative you want to be with your insurance claim and what exclusions your policy has.

Greg

[pdy]

Some insurance companies' standard policies will cover "educational" events. What this means is if you
have an instructor with you, you are covered, and if you don't you aren't (autocross, DE, TT). There also may
be companies whose policies consider autocross events educational even if you don't have an instructor.
Offhand, I don't know any of those, however.

[LUCKY DAVE]

I was just being a smarty pants, but for the real scoop, ask Kim Crosser. He seems to have some expertise in this area.

[Kim Crosser]

My advice is pretty much the same as the others' here - read your policy carefully!

Most policies have a clause that voids your coverage if you are "racing" (e.g., engaged in a "prearranged speed contest" in my AAA policy). (Of course, if you and the Ferrari in the next lane get crazy on the street and you wreck, that is fully covered!?!?)

My interpretation of this is that if/when something goes wrong during practice - particularly when I have a student in the car and we aren't comparing times - then I am covered, as there is no contest in progress. However, should I have an off-track excursion during the timed runs, my coverage is voided, and any damage would come out of my pocket - I wouldn't even try to file the insurance claim.

CAVEAT - I am not an attorney and am not claiming to be an expert in insurance policies, the law, or anything else in this area. The opinions expressed here are just that - opinions. If you want legal answers, consult a lawyer.

I have been told that there are policies where people were able to get letters from their insurance agent stating that they were covered in an AX event. However, I have never seen such a letter, so this may be another case of urban legends. (I am talking about standard insurance, not insurance specifically for track events.)

Of course, the real solution is to drive within your limits! ("A man's got to know his limitations." Dirty Harry)