[Antinomianist]

I have heard conflicting things about whether or not insurance companies cover time spent at track days. Intuitively, I would think that insurance companies are covering you for "normal usage" and wouldn't cover anything on a race track. However, several people (none who have made a claim) have told me that if you are taking a class, or are in a non-racer classification, you are covered because it "advanced instruction". Is this BS?
If it is true, what companies cover track days? State Farm?
Anybody have direct experience with this?

Thanx!

[CBRBob]

I heard from people at the track that they were covered during a track day. What cos. I don't know......

[SomeStrangeGuy]

Some insurance companies view trackdays as an educational/training event. If in fact the group you are doing it with supports this as a learning environment and is willing to give a statement to the insuring organization, then perhaps.

[HondaGalToo]

State Farm was covering trackdays. Check with your agent to see. However, do keep in mind that if you make one claim with State Farm, they will drop you at renewal time. At least in NJ.

[freq]

Yes, State Farm in Pennsylvania will cover track days. I only insure my bikes with theft, vandalism and liability anyway.

[Antinomianist]

Thanks to everybody that responded. I asked my ditzy agent and she said she didn't know, I guess I'll have to call a regional office or something to find out.

[bwhip]

Just today I received my State Farm policy in the mail. Here's what it says regarding this subject:

4.d. When the Physical Damage Coverages Do Not Apply
...THERE IS NO COVERAGE WHILE ANY [MOTORCYCLE] INSURED UNDER THIS POLICY IS BEING OPERATED IN, ENGAGED IN PRACTICE, OR WHILE PREPARING FOR ANY HILL-CLIMBING, JUMPING, RACING OR SPEED CONTEST WHETHER THE CONTEST IS IMPROMPTU OR PREARRANGED.

Note that a similar statement also applies to the liability portion of the policy (i.e. if you crashed into someone else). How do you interpret that statement? Would track day be considered practicing or preparing for racing or a speed contest, impromptu or prearranged?

I don't really know.

[lfg929]

I interpret that to be they will not cover it if you were racing the bike, or if you were practicing for a race.

Lets face it, track days are a gray area. If you are riding in the novice class and are being led around in a single file line then you are being instructed. If you crash during that time then I don't see it being any different than if you were to crash your bike during the MSF ERC course (where you have to ride your own bike). Now, if you have lots of track days under your belt and are out there to have a good time and drop lap times then maybe you should suck it up and pay for the costs of repairing the bike if you go down. You will likely be able to get away with turning it into the insurance company though (how are they going to know what happened?).

Personally, I probably wouldn't make a claim at a track day. I did crash my fully covered bike twice last year at track days and never made a claim. Of course, it was also fully race prepped with aftermarket bodywork so the cost of the repairs was around $100 each time (the stock bodywork was sitting in my basement in excellent condition).

[abtech]

If you file a claim and are truthful as to all of the circumstances of the crash and they cover it, then fine. If you crash at a track day and tell them you were coming home from work and hit some gravel and crashed, then you are slime and should have your eyelids sewn open . . .

[HondaGalToo]

Originally Posted by abtech

If you file a claim and are truthful as to all of the circumstances of the crash and they cover it, then fine. If you crash at a track day and tell them you were coming home from work and hit some gravel and crashed, then you are slime and should have your eyelids sewn open . . .

Couldn't agree more.