Motor Insurance for Track Days Whats Covered

As an FCA-authorised expert with over 800,000 policies arranged for UK customers, WeCovr explains the essentials of motor insurance for track days. This guide will ensure you understand what’s covered when you swap the A-road for the apex, protecting your pride and joy where your standard policy won't.

WeCovr explains specialist track day cover for motorsport enthusiasts

The roar of an engine, the smell of hot rubber, and the thrill of pushing your car to its limits on a legendary British circuit like Brands Hatch or Silverstone—this is the exhilarating world of the track day. For thousands of UK motorsport enthusiasts, it's the ultimate way to enjoy their vehicle's performance in a safe and controlled environment.

However, amidst the excitement, there's a critical detail many overlook: your standard car insurance policy is almost certainly invalid the moment your tyres touch the tarmac of a racetrack. This leaves you financially exposed to potentially catastrophic costs if things go wrong.

This is where specialist track day insurance comes in. It’s a bespoke product designed for one purpose: to cover your car against damage while you're on the circuit. In this definitive guide, we’ll break down exactly what it is, what it covers, what it excludes, and why it's an essential investment for any driver heading to the track.

Why Your Standard Car Insurance is Void on a Race Track

It's a common and costly mistake to assume your comprehensive motor policy has your back on a track day. Every standard motor insurance UK policy contains specific exclusions for what insurers deem to be high-risk activities.

Buried in the policy wording, you will almost always find a clause that excludes cover for:

• Racing or pacemaking
• Rallies, trials, or speed tests
• Use on any circuit or track prepared for racing

Track days, even non-competitive ones, fall squarely into this category. The rationale is simple: the risk of an accident is exponentially higher on a circuit than on a public road. Speeds are greater, braking distances are shorter, and the potential for a high-impact collision is significant. To an insurer, covering this risk under a standard policy would be commercially unviable and would unfairly increase premiums for all road users.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the average cost of a vehicle repair claim stood at £3,576 in late 2023, a figure that has risen sharply due to inflation and supply chain issues. On a track, damage can easily exceed £10,000, £20,000, or even write the car off completely. Your standard insurer will not pay a penny of this.

A Quick Refresher on UK Motor Insurance Law

Before diving deeper into specialist cover, it’s vital to remember the legal foundations of motor insurance in the UK. The Road Traffic Act 1988 mandates that any vehicle used on a public road or in a public place must have, at a minimum, third-party insurance.

Here’s a quick reminder of the main levels of cover:

This legal requirement, however, only applies to public roads. A privately owned race circuit is not a public road, so the Road Traffic Act does not apply in the same way. This is the legal loophole that means your standard policy is off the hook, and why a specialist policy is needed to fill the gap.

What is Specialist Track Day Insurance?

Specialist track day insurance is a standalone, short-term insurance policy that you purchase specifically for the day (or days) you will be on track. It is designed to run alongside your existing road insurance policy, not replace it.

Think of it as event-specific cover. Its primary, and often only, purpose is to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your own vehicle if it suffers accidental damage during the insured track event.

Key characteristics of track day insurance:

• Standalone Policy: It's completely separate from your annual car insurance. A claim on your track day policy will not affect your road policy's No-Claims Bonus.
• Event-Specific: You buy it for a particular day or a weekend at a specific circuit.
• Focus on 'Own Vehicle' Damage: Its main job is to protect your car, not others.
• High Excess: The policy excess (the amount you pay towards a claim) is significantly higher than on a standard policy.

What's Covered by a Track Day Policy? A Detailed Breakdown

Understanding the scope of cover is crucial. While policies can vary between providers, most specialist track day policies are built around a core offering with specific, important exclusions.

What is Usually Covered:

1. Accidental Damage to Your Vehicle: This is the heart of the policy. If you lose control and hit a barrier, or if another car collides with you, the policy will cover the repair costs for your vehicle, up to its agreed value, minus your excess.
2. Fire Damage: Cover for fire damage resulting directly from an on-track incident is also a standard inclusion.
3. Recovery from the Track: The cost of recovering your vehicle from the circuit and moving it to a safe place within the venue is typically included.
4. Storage Costs: Reasonable costs for storing the damaged vehicle at a secure location post-incident are often covered for a limited period.

What is Almost Always EXCLUDED:

This is the most important part to understand, as the exclusions define the limits of the policy.

• Third-Party Liability: The policy does not cover damage you cause to other cars on the track. This is because most UK track day organisers (TDOs) operate on a "knock-for-knock" basis. This is a gentleman's agreement where every driver agrees to be responsible for damage to their own car, regardless of who is at fault. You hit them, you pay for your car; they hit you, they pay for theirs.
• Damage to the Circuit: If you damage the track infrastructure, such as Armco barriers, you will be liable for the repair bill from the circuit owner. This is not covered by track day insurance. Some circuits require you to sign a waiver acknowledging this liability.
• Personal Injury: Bodily injury to yourself, your passengers, or anyone else is not covered. Your own personal accident insurance or life insurance may provide cover, but you must check the policy wording for motorsport exclusions.
• Mechanical or Electrical Failure: If your engine, gearbox, or turbo fails due to stress, this is considered a wear-and-tear or mechanical issue, not accidental damage. It is not covered. The only exception is if the failure is a direct result of a covered impact.
• Competitive Events: The policy is for non-competitive track days only. If the event involves timing, racing, or pace-setting, the cover is void.
• Consumables: Damage to or wear of tyres, brake pads, and clutches is generally not covered.
• Theft: Theft of the vehicle from the circuit paddock is usually excluded. Your standard motor policy should cover this, provided you have taken reasonable precautions.

Here is a simple summary:

How Track Day Insurance Works in Practice

Let's walk through the process of getting and using a track day policy.

1. Getting a Quote: You provide details about yourself (age, track experience), your car (make, model, value, modifications), and the event (circuit, date, organiser).

2. Agreeing the Value: You and the insurer agree on the market value of your car. This "agreed value" is the maximum amount the insurer will pay out in the event of a total loss. Be honest and realistic here; providing receipts for modifications can help establish a higher, more accurate value.

3. Understanding the Excess: The excess is the most significant difference from standard insurance. It is often calculated as a percentage of the car's agreed value, typically around 10%, with a minimum figure.

   • Example: For a car with an agreed value of £30,000, the excess might be 10%, which is £3,000. If you have a crash causing £12,000 of damage, you would pay the first £3,000, and the insurer would pay the remaining £9,000.

4. Making a Claim: If an incident occurs:

   • Ensure Safety: First, make sure you and anyone else involved are safe.
   • Document Everything: Take photos of the damage, the location on the track, and any contributing factors. Get contact details of any witnesses.
   • Contact Your Insurer: Call the claims helpline for your track day insurer as soon as possible. They will guide you through the next steps.
   • Assessment: An engineer will assess the damage to your vehicle to determine the repair cost or declare it a total loss if the repair cost exceeds its market value.

As an experienced broker, WeCovr can not only help you find the right policy but also offer guidance during the claims process, ensuring you have expert support when you need it most.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Your Track Day Cover

Premiums for track day cover are calculated based on risk. The key factors include:

• Vehicle Value: The single biggest factor. Insuring a £100,000 Porsche 911 GT3 will cost significantly more than insuring a £10,000 Mazda MX-5.
• The Circuit: Some tracks are considered higher risk. The Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany is a special case and often requires a specific, more expensive policy due to its length, lack of run-off, and public traffic sessions.
• Your Experience: Insurers may offer lower premiums for drivers who have completed a certain number of track days without incident or hold an advanced driving qualification.
• Vehicle Modifications: A standard car is cheaper to insure than a heavily modified one. Be upfront about all modifications—from engine tuning to suspension and brake upgrades—to ensure your policy is valid.
• Type of Day: An "open pit lane" day, where cars can enter the track at will, may be priced higher than a "sessional" day, where cars are grouped by ability and run in timed sessions.

Finding the Best Track Day Insurance with WeCovr

The market for specialist motor insurance can be complex, and track day cover is no exception. It’s not a product you can find on standard comparison websites. You need a broker with access to specialist underwriters who understand the unique risks of motorsport.

This is where WeCovr excels. As an FCA-authorised broker, we work with a panel of the UK's leading specialist insurers. We take the time to understand your specific needs—your car, your experience, and your budget—to find the most suitable and competitive policy. Our service costs you nothing extra; we are paid by the insurer, not by you.

By using an expert broker, you benefit from:

• Access to the whole market: We can find quotes from insurers you wouldn't find on your own.
• Expert Advice: We can explain the jargon and ensure you understand the policy's limitations.
• Peace of Mind: You can be confident you have the right cover in place before you head to the track.

Plus, when you arrange a policy through us, you might be eligible for discounts on other types of cover, from your daily driver's insurance to life insurance, rewarding you for trusting us with your protection needs.

Essential Track Day Preparation: Safety and Maintenance Tips

Insurance is a safety net, but the best outcome is not needing to use it. Proper preparation can dramatically reduce your risk of an incident.

Vehicle Checks (The 'MUST DO' List)

• Brakes: Check your brake pad depth and brake fluid level. The fluid should be fresh (less than 12 months old) as old fluid can boil under heavy use, leading to complete brake failure.
• Tyres: Ensure they are in good condition with adequate tread depth and set to the correct pressures. Check for any cuts or bulges.
• Fluids: Check oil and coolant levels and top up if necessary. Ensure there are no leaks.
• Wheel Nuts: Use a torque wrench to ensure all wheel nuts are tightened to the manufacturer's specification. Re-check them during the day.
• Empty the Car: Remove all loose items from the cabin and boot. A water bottle can become a dangerous projectile or roll under the brake pedal.

Driver Preparation

• Get a Good Night's Sleep: Arrive at the track well-rested and alert.
• Stay Hydrated: Driving on a track is physically and mentally demanding. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Attend the Briefing: Listen carefully to the safety briefing. It contains vital information about flags, track rules, and etiquette.
• Build Speed Gradually: Use the first few laps to warm up your tyres, learn the braking points, and understand the racing line. Don't try to be a hero on your first lap.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Track Day Insurance

Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from motorsport enthusiasts.

Q1: Is track day insurance a legal requirement?

A: No, track day insurance is not a legal requirement as you are on private property. However, given that your standard road insurance is void and the risk of an accident is high, it is highly recommended by all track day organisers and motorsport bodies. Driving without it means you are personally accepting the full financial risk of damaging or writing off your car.

Q2: Will making a track day insurance claim affect my road car's No-Claims Bonus (NCB)?

A: No. A track day insurance policy is completely separate from your standard motor policy. A claim made against your track day cover will have no impact whatsoever on the NCB you have built up on your main car insurance. They are two distinct products from different types of insurers.

Q3: Can I get track day insurance for a heavily modified or kit car?

A: Yes, absolutely. Specialist track day insurers are very accustomed to covering modified, high-performance, and kit cars. It is vital that you declare all modifications accurately when getting a quote to ensure the policy is valid. An expert broker like WeCovr can help you find an insurer who understands and correctly values your unique vehicle.

Q4: Is insurance for the Nürburgring Nordschleife different?

A: Yes, it is. The Nürburgring is unique because during Touristenfahrten (public driving sessions), it is technically operated as a public toll road under German law. However, almost all UK insurers specifically exclude it from standard policies. You need a specialist policy that explicitly names the Nürburgring. These policies are often more expensive due to the track's perceived high risk, length, and the fact that third-party liability can be a factor.

Ready to hit the track with complete peace of mind? Don't leave your investment to chance. Contact WeCovr today for a no-obligation quote from a specialist provider and let our experts find the perfect motor policy for your passion.