[Quentin]

Just got my Porsche insured, and asked about non-competitive, instructional coverage at a racetrack. She ended up saying this was not covered. I let it slide, but I do intend to go over my updated policy to find the text where this is laid out. I write this because I've seen comments in various automotive forums that most insurance, even USAA, will offer coverage if not a competitive event of sorts.

Regards,
Quentin

[Vicegrip]

I have USAA as well and checked into this some time ago so my info might be dated.
What I found out was that with USAA it depends on the state you live in. VA you are covered. MD and the P.R. of D.C. not covered. The agent I talked to said that if the policy does not exclude non competitive track driving then it is covered. I just checked my current policy and it is not excluded in print.

[jpinkert]

I think I got a supplemental form from USAA a while ago about not covering any track events. So you might want to check into it. Insurance companies typically don't take 'unaware of policy limitations' as an excuse.

My '72 is insured as a collectible through American Collectors Insurance. When I first opened a policy with them, they assured me that DE was covered because its a non-competitive club event. In the past year or two, they introduced specific DE insurance...but not in Virginia. So I'm assuming that I'm still covered. On the other hand, I've recently shopped around and State Farm said I would be insured at DE events (I described it as an educational, non-competitive, high speed club event at a motorsports complex).

[Don Wohlfarth]

I saw one of the Potomac guys at VIR this past weekend. He lives in VA.
He totaled his Boxster at SP last year. I asked what happened with his car. He said his insurance was with USAA and they denied the claim beause he was racing. This went back and forth for a month or two and they finally paid off at a agreeable figure. He bought another Porsche and called the insurance company and they told him they would not insure another Porsche for him so he insured it elsewhere. I didn't ask him if they cancelled his existing policy or raised his rates.
I heard a similar story about Allstate 3 years ago, finally paid the claim but did not renew his existing policy when it expired (basically cancelling the policy).
Be careful, it can be very difficult to obtain a policy if you've been cancelled.

[CrewChief]

As the sport/hobby of DE becomes more and more popular I would expect to see coverage during the event become very problematic.

[Tim]

Don, I think I know which incident you are referring to. My understanding is that USAA asked a very simple question . . . "If this is educational., where is your instructor?" While the white, black and red run groups don't have formally assigned instructors, I think that taking the initiative and recruiting an instructor to ride along at one point or another during a weekend would serve to answer that problematic question. Moreover, having the instructror record his/her observations in a log book would be helpful. Finally, I think most would agree that regardless of your run group assignment there is still volumes to learn (or, perhaps, remember). Recruiting an instructor at some point during an event is an idea everyone should seriously consider.

[Don Wohlfarth]

Great suggestion Tim.
I know that Potomac is encouraging drivers in the white run group to ask instructors to ride a session with them and is encouraging instructors to occasionally ride with each other.

[Tim]

Perhaps if people understand it may be in their financial best interest to have an instructor, they will be more inclined to avail themselves of the opportunity.

[CrewChief]

Huummm. There is something not quite right about being driven to recruit instructors to satisfy The Company. It'll be a bit before I can clearly articulate my thoughts. It just doesn't feel right.

If you really get into this all kinds of complications arise. Must you have your 'instructional' period before any incident? What if you had 'scheduled' but crash beforehand? Wasn't the question (Where is your instructor?) really just rhetorical? The next question would have been, "Where was your instructor during THIS session?" and the result would have been the same?

At the risk of being repetitious, I think the day will come that the standard insurance policy will not cover DE.

One former Chief Instructor used to state that while we do all sorts of things to mitigate the hazards associated with DE; none the less, if you require a completely risk free activity then DE is not the place to be. One associated hazard is possible damage of the car. Even to destruction. I think if you absolutely positively have to have 100% assurance of indemnity then the add-on policies are the only way to go.

[Tim]

I agree with you 100%, John. Except that therw ill be thousands of additional questions that could possibly be asked! They got lawyers for that, you know. :P

My point is that if you can show that you TREAT it as an "educational" event rather than as practice for competition or simply legalized speeding, you stand a better chance of heading off some, but not all, problems.

You again are right. Specific insurance should be obtained if you are looking for a hassle free insurance experience.

My guess is that my next USAA Policy period in Virginia comes with a new exclusion for all track related activity. The only thing that may prevent that is a track junkiw lobbiest who convinces his buddy the Insurance Commissioner not to approve that policy change.