Insurance While Participating In Viper Days

[SUN RA KAT]

(Yes, I did a search, but got no answers.)

My insurance doesn't cover me while getting driving instruction at Viper Days and my agent doesn't know of any insurance that does.

Is there any insurance available for a weekend of getting rookie instruction (no racing) at a race track (Mid Ohio Sports Car Course Viper Days April 25-27th)?

 

[JimT 99RT]

I spent some time talking to insurance agents, and tried to find a company that might be interested. I kept getting the same answer; “there is not enough interest in this type of coverage to justify offering it.”

 

[Steve-Indy]

Kenny, last Sept some of our Ind/Ky VCA folks checked into this specific situation...one gentleman told me that his company specifically agreed that he was covered for Viper Days safety course type instruction...BUT, he was NOT covered for the drag racing that preceeded VOI.7.

The KEY, in MY opinion, is to FULLY describe the particular driving event to your agent and home office, and obtain their opinion in writing prior to the event...just as you are attempting. I'm sorry that the guy is on vacation and I can't tell you the name of his company.

As an aside...with my renewal policy in hand and agent that was kind enough to make the 2 hr. drive to my house earlier this year, I was told that Wife and I WOULD BE covered for Viper Days Safety Course...company is Fireman's Fund. That policy, however, specifically EXCLUDES racing events/speed contests or preparation for same...including damage done within the property of a dedicated racing facility WHILE preparing for or participating in a racing/speed event.

One of my Porsche 996TT pals essentially got the same answer as we did from his Chubb rep. concerning his participation in the novice class of the Porsche Club's annual spring driver's school.

Hope this gives you some encouragement, as there ARE companies that do indeed seem to recognize the value of driving instruction with cars such as our Vipers.

 

[pdmracing]

Look for Rocktops post on the GA insurance issue, I postsed a link there., there are many different policy riders available. K&K, Parish insurance & others .

 

[joe117]

There was a post where a Viper owner's claim was refused because of a "specifically EXCLUDES racing events/speed contests or preparation for same" clause in his policy.
I think he took it to court and the judge said that the driving school event was "preparation for a speed event".
IMO this is not a judgement that is way off base. A high speed driving school could be called a preparation for racing. Driving very fast around corners and going 130 mph down the straight is probably not schooling for street driving. I guess it could go either way but, like others have said, get it in writing.

 

[Jerry Dobson]

I went to visit my agent today... State Farm = Not Covered.

I called AO Underwriters, she says "What's your ET?"

I said
"I plan on racing this weekend"

She says
"No, what will she do in the quarter?"

I thought... huh?
I said
"About 12 second"

She says
"$1050 a year"

The price is based on the value of the car and how fast it will go. So if I can break into the 7 second quarter mile time, the rate will go up. Not a problem anytime soon!

AO appears to only cover NHRA sponsored drag racing and not Viper Days type events. I am still looking.

 

[Russ Oasis]

You can buy insurance for 30 track days a year for your Viper. Call Jon Belinki at 301 590-0006. The cost is based on the insured amount of your car and there is a 12.5% deductable per damage event. I think that it's a pretty good deal.

 

[Bugeater]

Can you give a ballpark premium on "30 track days a year"?

I dont care if its a big ballpark, I have no idea what to expect for a premium....

 

[SUN RA KAT]

I think it was $100,000 coverage for $10,000 per year for 30 driving days, which is a good deal for those who can afford to track their Vipers 30 days per year.

Trouble was I just wanted $100,000 coverage for 2 Viper Days driving days per year and they didn't offer that coverage.

 

[Jerry Dobson]

Kenny,

Are you saying $10,000 is the cost of the premium?? WOW!

$333 per day. Imagine if we paid that for our annual premiums = $121,666.67 per year!

I know, insurance factors in all the losses and their actuaries come up with the numbers. I am like Kenny, I could do the two or three day thing, but I just don't get on the track 30 days a year.

 

[SUN RA KAT]

If I could have gotten the insurance for $666 (what a number - read your Bible!), I would have bought it. Since I was running around without insurance, I was extra carefull, but I would have been that carefull with insurance, only less stressed and able to focus better on the driving.

The only damage my Viper suffered at Viper Days was some rubber marks from someone's tires disintegrating up ahead of me. I used car wax to easily get the black marks off when I got home.