Insured by State Farm, be careful!!!!!

[Birvini]

I left a message with my State Farm agent over the weekend concerning VOI 7 and coverage. He left a message this morning that the Viper would NOT be covered while it is at the track. I have an appointment with him later today to discuss this issue more in depth.

It sounds like I'll be needing recomendations from all of you for a different insurance company that is Viper friendly.

I'll update this topic after my meeting.

 

[RobHook]

I think that's pretty universal Birvini. There are a few companies that offer special race-only insurance though.

--Rob

 

[SapphireGTS]

I think some insurance companies will cover you if you are at a learning course with a trainer but thats about it.

 

[Birvini]

Considering this will be my first VOI 7, what events take place at the track? Do they allow high speed activities that would upset insurance carriers or just laid back fun. The way my agent stated it was from the time I pulled on to Speedway property the car would not be insured.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

It's pretty much laid back fun. Not very risky at all. There were a couple wrecks at VOI6. Some kid at the end of the 1/4 and I think some instructor pushed a car too far. Those are the only ones I saw.

 

[Bonkers]

I've said it many times before... State Farm is not a good neighbor...

 

[Janni]

Everyone should READ their policy. Most questions can be answered without a "red flag" phone call to your agent.

I just finished reading our policy (again) and there are NO EXCLUSIONS for track events, racing or anything even mentioning competitive road events.... Nothing - no mention at ALL. No splitting of hairs as to whether something is "racing" or "school", etc. since there is no text stating omission. If DOES have standard text about not covering if you were involved in an illegal activity, or using the car as a livery vehicle, etc, so I know I am not just missing that page ...

Also, for new cars - we are covered for FULL REPLACEMENT VALUE should our car be wrecked. (Not the Vipers anymore, I am afraid...) but we will not have to haggle about the "fair market value" BS should the truck or the VW be wrecked / stolen. We'll just get a new one - less the $50 deductible. We've exercised this option when our trailer was stolen and we had a check for a NEW trailer in under 30 days.

Company = Fireman's Fund.

Homeowner's policy is equally as impressive.

 

[pdmracing]

Check out rocky top's post on this sight for more info. on this topic. He just finished a lenghty fight with Progressive & won. I have state farm & they will cover a non timed event. As for wrecks, I saw 2 GTS's wreck on the DRAGSTRIP at the VOI in Vegas as well as 2 incidents on my track day & that was with Skip Barber instructors in the cars! It can & does happen. As the old saying goes, there are only 2 kinds of racers, those who have crashed, & those who havent crashed yet! That warning aside, most events are trouble free & with 800 cars @ vegas, it was a very small percentage of incidents compared with a regular track day weekend. You are going fast with a large group of other drivers of variose skill & equipment levels. --it does happen!

 

[Birvini]

Well, I just got back from my State Farm agent and this was his response: The Viper will not be covered while at the Speedway. It doesn't matter if I'm in a driving school, the infield, or the farthest away parking space on the "outside" of the track. He said any "pre planned" event involving a racetrack voids coverage.

If I decide to go to Rt 66 in Joliet this weekend for the NHRA event and participate in the Viper corral, it won't be covered.

Here's the interesting thing. He said if I total the car on a regular road, street racing, it would be covered no problem. How backwards is that?

So, I guess I'm looking for temporary coverage while I'm at the track in Nashville. Anybody have any ideas?????

 

[Mike Brunton]

Birvini,

It sounds like what he told you is not legal. If there is nothing in your contract stating your car will not be covered while on the property of a racing event, then you ARE covered.

What the agent says is not the definition of what is and is not covered, the definition is contained in the contract. I'd like to see them deny you coverage if your car was stolen from the parking lot at the local dragstrip - I don't think that would go over too well with most judges or arbitors.

If you ASK, of course they're gonna say no... and, if you are doing something illegal, they can usually deny coverage - I am willing to BET that is in your contract. So if you were participating in an illegal street race, there is no doubt in my mind they could deny you coverage.

This agent sounds a bit dim-witted to me.

 

[joe117]

I can't believe the policy could say that they won't cover you if you are doing something illegal. It can't be that general. I mean anyone can make a mistake. What if you miss a stop sign or run a red light and get hit? Even if it was a total mistake it would still be illegal. I would hope I would be covered.

 

[Mike Brunton]

Don't get too complacent... usually a handful of Vipers are wrecked every year at VOI. I know of 2 at St. Louis and I believe there were at least 2 or 3 at Vegas. Usually it was a case of someone pushing a bit too hard, or an instructor trying too hard and wrecking, but it DOES happen.

 

[Brad04Mamba]

As we were leaving the track at VOI6 we saw this. I believe this was the one that the instructor got a little carried away.

Brad

 

[Ulysses]

I have State Farm. I had an incident during a TCRA event at Willow Springs. There were three categories: racing, time trial and performance driving class. I was in the performance driving class. The first two were timed events and the last was timed only if requested. Since I didn't want the pressure of being timed while honing my skills, I opted out of having a timer. Besides being in a "CLASS", my real saving grace was that I did not have a timer in the car. Long story short, I was covered.

EDIT: This is not to say that you should not worry about it and go on without checking. If you are participating in a class, check with your agent and be specific about the event you are in. Be clear that it is a "Driving Class". Anything else will be considered racing and will not be covered.

 

[jimandela]

Birvini,
I too have State Farm, my agent told me NO problem at all!!!!
Just let him know the dates so he can note that he was aware of it.

And long as i am not racing others or the clock. NO problem.

So I dont think it is State Farm but your agent.

Good Luck

JIM