DE Insurance

[JoeP]

I'm not an attorney, but what's the harm if you do not file a police report, sign anything, or take any money?  In fact, have a buddy make the call and disavow any knowledge.

[ccm911]

Joe, didn't someone once try to say they hit a deer on the way to the track, or is that just an old wive's tale?

 

[Brian Minkin]

Chris,

The hit a deer or swerved and went off the road to avoid the deer has been played more then once.  It's fraud.  Why risk jail time when all you need to do is buy on track coverage.  I do not understand people who buy expensive sports cars and then will not spend the money to properly insure them for the track.

[Darren]

Those annoying light blue deer!

[eddiek]

I understand what it says in the policy and I understand that I was probably fcuk'd had the worst occurred but I did FULLY explain to my agent what the event was (provided her link to rtr-pca website) WHERE it was (NJMP) and she confirmed in writing that I was covered.
All the above points are noted and I will get separate insurance for the next event however 'cos I know I'll get screwed if I bend over far enough....

[larrybard]

Darren wrote:

I don't think any regular insurers cover DE anymore.

I have some modest experience with this, having switched to AIG about 3 years ago in order to take advantage of the fact that their policy DID cover DE. Unfortunately, they subsequently joined the vast majority of insurers, revising their form of policy to exclude DE, so at renewal time I found myself without coverage again. However, a few months ago I did a bit of research, examining Company X's actual policy language, and was satisfied that this particular insurer's policies still covered DE. Inasmuch as I found that out after I had already just renewed with my former company (Chubb), I didn't bother switching (and, fortunately, survived WGI, Thunderbolt, etc. without any damage), but next year I expect to switch, after I determine that the favorable language is still in Company X's policies.

So I can say with some confidence that as of a few months ago DE coverage was still provided by at least one insurer's standard policies.

[Brian Minkin]

Let me raise one more point about standard insurers who pay out on a DE incident.  If the big one happens to you and the insurer pays a huge claim 1st expect not to be renewed the following policy period.  Second expect to pay huge premiums to get insurance from any insurer after this claim is on your record.  Separate DE insurance makes sense rather then risking being insurable and the cost of standard automobile insurance. If you do only one or two events a year then buy single event insurance. If you are an addict like I am buy an annual policy. 

[KennyB]

Brian Minkin wrote:

Let me raise one more point about standard insurers who pay out on a DE incident. If the big one happens to you and the insurer pays a huge claim 1st expect not to be renewed the following policy period. Second expect to pay huge premiums to get insurance from any insurer after this claim is on your record. Separate DE insurance makes sense rather then risking being insurable and the cost of standard automobile insurance. If you do only one or two events a year then buy single event insurance. If you are an addict like I am buy an annual policy.

What he said. Some insurers, like Allstate, do cover claims (you can ask one RTR-er I know of for confirmation) but the subsequent problems may not be worth it.

[MikeKling]

I would echo Brian's sentiments and add another caveat.  After sliding down this slippery slope of DE I was mostly concerned about liability.  The car has a finite value.  However, in our overly litigious society, even the best of friends can turn against each other and lawsuits can be filed for alleged various acts or omissions.  Has anyone ever read those releases we sign?  They serve to protect the track and the club, not any specific individual.  

I purchase an "On-Track Owners/Sponsors" Race policy.  This covers my one car team (that would be me) for various liabilities as well as damage to the car.  I have always felt that it is more important to protect my off track personal assets as well as car damage.

It ain't cheap, but neither are defense attorneys.

[Phokaioglaukos]

MikeKling wrote:

Has anyone ever read those releases we sign? They serve to protect the track and the club, not any specific individual.

Yes, I have, and I disagree. They protect all on the track from people who sign making claims--that's why we make such a bid deal about getting EVERYONE to sign.

It's fine if you want to buy more insurance, but the PCA and other on-track waivers do work.