Track day insurance
Driving your own car around a race track is an exhilarating experience, giving you the freedom to hit top speeds and really test your driving skills.
But do you need specialist track day insurance? Or will standard car insurance cover you? Here’s everything you need to know.
Driving your own car around a race track is an exhilarating experience, giving you the freedom to hit top speeds and really test your driving skills.
But do you need specialist track day insurance? Or will standard car insurance cover you? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is track day car insurance?
Track day insurance is specialist cover you can buy to protect your car when you drive on a race circuit as part of an organised track day. It’s specifically designed to cover accidental damage.
Race and track days are unlikely to be covered by your standard car insurance, because of the risks involved. After all, you’re free to reach speeds that would be illegal on the road.
Specialist track day insurance can pay for repairs to damage caused by crashing into a barrier, as well as collisions you have with other drivers. In some cases, it can also cover you for any injuries you suffer as a result of a crash.
Track owners aren’t responsible for any damage to your car, so whether you drive a sports car, classic car or a hot hatch, it’s important to check what cover you have before heading to the circuit.
Unfortunately, you can’t compare track day insurance with Compare the Market.
What’s the difference between standard car insurance and track day insurance?
Track day insurance is specifically designed to cover you for driving your car on a race track, rather than public roads. Policies vary depending on the provider, but there’s a few important differences to standard car insurance to note:
There’s no third-party liability
The biggest difference is that car track day insurance typically doesn’t include third party liability. Everyone at a track day is there at their own risk. And it’s up to each driver to arrange cover for their car.
With track day insurance, you’ll only be covered for damage to your own vehicle. If you hit another driver on the circuit who isn’t insured, they’ll have to pay out for repairs to their car.
It doesn’t matter who’s at fault
Unlike with standard car insurance, track day insurance providers are not concerned with who’s to blame for any damage caused to your vehicle on the circuit. As long as the damage is the result of an impact, and not related to longer-term problems like wear and tear or lack of proper maintenance, you’ll typically be covered.
You can choose the value to insure
When you take out track day cover, you don’t necessarily have to insure your car for its full value. You can choose a specific value to insure, which you agree with your provider when you take out a policy.
Do I need track day insurance?
Specialist race-day insurance isn’t compulsory. But it makes sense to protect your car in case things don’t go to plan. And it’s unlikely that you’ll be covered by your standard car insurance policy.
Circuits have challenging twists and turns and, at high speeds, accidents can and do happen. Track day insurance can offer invaluable peace of mind, especially if you’re new to track driving.
Even if you’re a seasoned circuit-goer, you’re not infallible. A simple mistake could mean a huge repair bill. And don’t forget, the rest of the drivers on the track are complete unknowns.
In any case, the car club or organisation running the track day might insist you take out extra insurance.
Can I use my race car on the road?
Track day insurance will typically cover you for journeys to and from race circuits, as well as car shows and officially recognised owners’ club meetings.
But it’s unlikely to cover your race car if you want to use it to pop to the shops or do the school run. If you use your car for daily activities like commuting and running around town, you’ll usually need a separate policy to cover this.
If the car you use for track days is the one you also use for everyday driving, you might need two types of car insurance – one policy to cover road use and one to cover events.
Alternatively, if you drive a supercar or sports car on the roads, it’s worth checking if you can get everything you need in one package. Some specialist performance car insurance providers include track days in their policies as standard.
Always check with your insurance provider if you’re unsure about what you can and can’t do.
What does track day insurance cover?
Track day insurance is designed to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car if it’s damaged while you’re taking part in a non-competitive track event. This could be at a disused airfield or a famous motor-racing circuit, like Silverstone or Goodwood.
Track insurance will generally cover your vehicle for any accidental damage, regardless of whose fault it is.
You can choose between half-day or one-day insurance, or even annual race-day insurance depending on how many events you go to. You can also find European track day insurance to cover your car at iconic tracks like Le Mans and the Nürburgring.
Policies vary, but cover could also include:
- Fire damage
- Personal injury
- Modified cars
- Multiple drivers
- Journeys to and from track events
- Specific UK and European track events
- Tools you keep in your car for maintenance.
What doesn’t track day insurance cover?
There’s a few exclusions to be aware of with track-day cover. Your policy might not cover:
- Damage suffered during competitive races or time trials
- Use of your car on public roads
- Mechanical breakdown of your car’s engine or gearbox
- Fire damage not caused by the track
- Recovery costs
- Any damage sustained while someone else is driving your car (if they’re not insured on your policy).
Cover can vary among track day providers, so it’s always best to check exactly what you’re covered for.
How much does track day insurance cost?
The cost of track day insurance depends on several factors, including:
- Your age and experience
- The type of car you drive
- The number of track events you plan to take part in
- Previous track day claims
- Any modifications you’ve made to your vehicle.
How can I get a cheaper track day insurance quote?
You may be able to lower your car track day premiums by:
- Agreeing to a higher voluntary car insurance excess (the amount you pay towards a claim). The higher this is, the lower your premium is likely to be. But make sure you choose an amount you can afford.
- Building up your track-day experience. Some providers offer discounts if you have a good track record, so to speak.
- Choosing a safer track. Some car track-day insurance providers will offer cheaper cover on tracks with large ‘run-off’ areas.
- Buying an annual policy. This can be cheaper than several one-day track day insurance policies.
What if my track car has modifications?
If your car has undergone any modifications or had any parts changed, you’ll need to let your insurance provider know. If you don’t, you could invalidate your policy. Even cosmetic changes, like a custom paint job, could change the value of the car.
In many instances, car modifications could lead to higher premiums. This could be especially true if you’ve altered the car’s performance by, for example, making the engine more powerful, fitting a spoiler, lowering the suspension or adding alloy wheels.
If your car is heavily modified, you might need modified car insurance that allows for track days.
Frequently asked questions
Can other drivers be added to my track day insurance?
Yes, if you want to experience the thrill of track days with your mates, additional drivers can be covered.
Bear in mind that sharing your car at the track will increase the cost of your insurance. The driving history of any additional drivers will also need to be risk-assessed by your provider.
What happens if I get injured on a track day?
Some track day car insurance policies may include a level of personal injury cover as standard, but you’ll often have to buy this as an optional extra if it’s something you want.
Personal accident cover can help pay for treatment costs, lost income and other expenses if you suffer a serious injury while at the track.
If any of your track days are overseas, it’s also possible to get cover that will pay for your medical or repatriation costs if you have an accident that needs hospital treatment.
What track day insurance add-ons should I consider?
You’ll usually have the option to buy extra insurance to add to your car track-day insurance cover, including:
- Personal injury insurance – your risk of an accident goes up if you’re hurtling around a track at high speeds. A personal injury policy could cover loss of income if you suffer a serious injury.
- Track-day recovery insurance – if you’re unable to drive your car home following an accident or mechanical breakdown, you can get it recovered to your home address or a local garage.
What is Armco cover?
Armco cover is an optional extra you can add to some track day insurance policies. It will typically cover you up to a maximum amount.
This cover could be useful if you plan on racing at a circuit that charges you for damage you cause to their crash barriers – known as Armco barriers. The bill to replace them can quickly add up, especially if you damage several sections.
What happens if I drive on a track day with only standard car insurance cover?
It’s unlikely that your standard car insurance will cover any damage caused to your vehicle at a track day. If, after reading your insurance policy carefully, you believe you are covered, it’s wise to contact your insurance provider directly to confirm. And make sure you have confirmation in writing.
Even if you do have standard car insurance with track day cover, any claims you make for repairs after a collision at the track could mean you lose your no-claims discount.
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Kate Hughes - Insurance and finance expert
As an award-winning journalist, author and broadcast commentator, Kate has been writing about personal finance for more than 20 years. She’s the former Money Editor for The Independent. Her work has appeared across the UK broadsheets as well as a number of international titles. Kate brings her financial expertise to inform her readers on ways to save money. She’s also written a book. ‘Going Zero: One Family’s Journey to Zero Waste and a Greener Lifestyle’ is available now.