I'm gearing up to get the Cayman R on the track soon. Since the car is fairly new and was around $80K, the last thing I want to do is crash, or worse, crash and not have any insurance coverage.

I looked at my insurance policy today and the only relevant exclusions appear to be racing and preparation for racing. What I'll be doing is driver educution, so it seems like I'm OK. What do you guys think?

The other option is to buy specific track insurance, but I had looked into that a while back, and it seems to be really expensive for a car in this price range.

Any and all input will be appreciated!

 

Couldnt "driver education" on a race course be considered "preparation for racing?" My guess is that if you crash during "driver education" you wont be covered.

 

Thanks for the input.

I looked at the policy again. The exact word is 'practicing' for racing. Since DEs are intended to develop general driving skill rather than teach racing techniques, I would still argue that DEs are OK.

But let's see what others think.

 

iirc if its on a racetrack it doesnt matter what is event is. you are not operating the car normaly and you maybe not covered.imho

 

All i can say is this, Ive had two run offs my last couple of times out.. I stopped inches from the wall at Sebring.. And I mean inches... (whole side was going into it, I thought I was done,) I believe Leland has very good rates... If your driving for fun and not pushing it...don't worry about it.. But if your gonna go in deep and come out as fast as you can.. And push it .... Get the insurance... If u want peace of mind for the first few times get it.. For me, when your doing 2 or 3 day events, I think it makes sense.. But it also depends on the cost of the car as well.. I'm going to get it at certain events.. Your regular insurance won't cover it

 

And the CR is an awesome track car.. Have fun n good luck!

 

As someone who has spent the last 10 years road racing racing motorcycles all over the states at the expert level, and one who ran a 914 on the track in the past, crashing is inevitable.

From my experience, track days are even worse, because there are drivers of all skill levels, who may or may not be in the right group, and with various levels of equipment, (like the guy next to you in the paddock with the roasted tires) and sooner or later someone comes into a corner too hot, or brakes o hard, or tries to pass you on the inside, and next thing you know it's hello armco.

I would never take a 100k+ car on the track unless (A) money doesn't mean that much to me, or (B) I'm properly insured.

Nothing sucks like driving to the track in your car and driving home in the cab of a flatbed.

Now that I'm giving up motorcycle racing, I'm seriously considering buying a track day car. Maybe a 993, maybe another 914, maybe a Formula Ford car, but in any case, it will get there on a trailer, and go home on one.

 

Asking here won't help. Only your agent can give you the right answer. My insurance carrier changed their exclusions to include 'any event held on a track or surface closed to the general public'. As far as I know, there are very few (in any) carriers who will cover DE events. Or, they may pay out once and then drop you as a customer. Good luck getting any coverage after that.

The bottom line - don't take anything to the track that you can't mentally or financially walk away from.

 

This happened at a DE at Pocono a few years ago.
I wonder how many insurance companies paid off.
Not to discourage you. Just some food for thought.


http://www.streetfire.net/video/happens-to-the-best-of-us_43500.htm

 

Did you look into the single-event policies? I have never gotten insurance but my racer friend says they are cheaper.

http://hpdeins.locktonaffinity.com/
http://pcahpdeins.locktonaffinity.com/Products.aspx

 

The last couple of post nailed it! Even if it's not you, the guy in front of you can spin out, turn in early, turn in late... Come in hot..you name it, it can happen.. Then before you know it , a cup car is there and then it's not...and maybe u turn in on him?
It's all fun.. But remember the intermediate group is just as dangerous as the novice group at times...because you have new drivers getting faster ....
But these cars were meant for the track.. And somebody has to break them in! And it might as well be you who is breaking your car in!
Just us your head and have fun and get out of the novice group as fast as you can...IMO
And yes.. At times it does feel stupid to bring a brand new Porsche to the track while your learning... Especially if your an ego manic who knows how to be humble at the same time...just sayin... Tpc turbo coming soon....

 

What he said.

 

You guys are bumming me out, but I appreciate the info and advice.

My wife has some expertise with insurance, so I'll have her read the policy and see what she thinks. If she thinks we're covered, I might try to go without extra insurance, while doing what I can to mitigate risks at the track.

Otherwise, I may just have to fork out the bucks for track insurance, which seems to cost about as much as the track access itself. Seems that this isn't an inexpensive hobby.

 

Manifold ... You have the perfect car to track.... Trust me! Go out and have fun... Just enjoy the car... Go slow.. Learn the race line... Stay on the race line... Go in slow.. And come out semi fast ...half throttle... I was told that insurance will cover you once.. But then drop you. Lol.. But I d check that... You only need insurance after a few weekends and after u turn on the sport chrono... Don't time your self. And don't look at the speedometer...
Enjoy the car.. I have the pdk... One less thing for me to worry about.. Pros n cons but I ain't *****ing... Its safer right now for everyone.. Lol..
Just go out n have fun... The car is awesome !

 

Ride with an older instructor ... The older the better.. Look for the meanest guy out there... He's probably the fastest.. And the littler the better.. Little man syndrome guys.. They seem to be the fastest lol