If you’re an adrenaline junkie or just have a need for speed, stop and consider how well your vehicle is covered before heading to the racing track. Most standard car insurance policies will not cover your vehicle for any damage it sustains at a track race.

What is Track Day Insurance?

If you go track racing whether it’s on an occasional or consistent basis, you should consider if you’re sufficiently covered in the event that your car gets damaged or totaled while on the strip. Regular on-the-road motor insurance generally doesn’t cover any damage a car sustains at a racing event.

To fully enjoy your day at the track with minimal worries you might want to purchase specialized insurance for your vehicle. This kind of coverage is an additional policy you purchase on top of your regular car insurance and is specifically tailored to cover any damage your vehicle sustains at an organized track event.

How does it work?

It’s common practice in the track racing community for all drivers participating to take responsibility for any damage their car sustains, whether it was caused by them or by another driver. Owing to this, most drivers purchase track day insurance before competing in any races, to ensure their cars will be protected.

Insurance to protect your car on track days tends to exclude third-party liability. This means that your policy will not cover any damages you caused to another car, it only covers damages your own vehicle sustains. Damages can include collision, fires, and theft losses, but this range can vary depending on the policy and the insurance provider. Mechanical break downs damages are usually not covered. This means that if you push your car harder than the engine can handle and it breaks down, you will have to pay for the repairs yourself.

The premium that you pay for your track day insurance will depend on various factors, such as your age, your vehicle, your track racing history, the track route itself, and the voluntary excess you agree to. You and your insurance provider will agree to the voluntary excess that you will pay in the unfortunate event of an accident. Generally speaking, the higher the voluntary excess you agree to, the lower the premium you will pay.

Do I need this kind of coverage for my car?

It’s entirely up to you whether or not you feel it’s worthwhile purchasing coverage for your track days. Consider the make of your vehicle, and whether you’ve made any modifications to the structure or engine for the purposes of racing (always remember to declare any modifications to your insurance provider as it can affect the final premium you pay).

Also, take into account how frequently you participate in races. If you track race consistently, it would be best to ensure your vehicle is covered, especially if you also use it for regular driving. If you race only a few times a year, then you may want to save the money you would otherwise pay, and accept the risk - just remember to take it easy on the track to minimize your risk.

What questions should I ask before purchasing track day insurance?

It’s important to know all the ins-and-outs of your track racing insurance policy before you purchase it. Some policies only cover certain race tracks or certain well-known racing events.

Before purchasing a policy make sure you ask:

• What damage the policy covers and what it doesn’t cover
• If all racing tracks are covered or only specific ones
• If all races are covered or only certain events
• If the premium is impacted by your vehicle and any modifications you have made to it

No matter what kind of insurance you need for your track days, you can find it on CompareInsurance’s website. Log on and browse a range of quotes to suit your vehicle and your insurance needs quickly and easily.