Saiyajin's recent tale of woe got me to thinking: is autocross covered by my auto insurance? So I read my policy--and I still don't know.

Here's what mine says.

Collision
Part 7. Under this Part, we will pay for any direct and accidental damage to
Collision your auto caused by a collision. It does not matter who is at fault.
We will also pay for collision damage to other private passenger autos
while being used by you or a household member with the consent of
the owner. However, we will not pay for damage to any auto which is
owned or regularly used by you or a household member unless a
premium for this Part is shown for that auto on the Coverage
Selections Page. We will not pay if an accident occurs while an auto
covered under this Part is being operated in any prearranged or
organized racing, speed, stunting or demolition contest or activity or in
practice or preparation for any such contest or activity.

So the question remains--am I covered? Autocross isn't a speed event, since speeds are kept under 65mph (usually). It's not stunting. And unless cone killing counts as demolition, it't not that either.

But is it racing?

 

yes its organized racing man that should be farely obvious

 

I'm not so sure that it's racing. Racing is a "contest of speed." Autocross is a contest of driving skill.

If autocross was a contest of speed then my friends would be more impressed when I told them how fast I went at my last "race."

It's up to the author of the contract to define the terms. How does the contract define racing?


Here's the reality:

If you smash up your car in an autocross you'll probably get them to fix it; but it will likely be tough. AND once they fix it they will very likely discontinue providing your insurance.


-Sean

 

My interpretation of your policy is that your car will NOT be covered for an accident that occurs during an autocross.

One of the main points is that autocrosses are timed events, that's what makes it organized racing. That's also why damage that occurs due to accident during high performance driving schools (that are not timed) are usually covered.

 

Don't listen to RyanGSX-R; listen to rzrsedg instead:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rzrsedg
If you smash up your car in an autocross you'll probably get them to fix it; but it will likely be tough.

 

Martin, we are not covered. You can try to argue it and maybe they would rather settle than go to court over it, but the insurance company has a clear good faith basis for denial. The word "any" before pre arranged is a big help for the carrier. They will use that to argue that it needn't be a wheel to wheel race, it is "any" race. Our events are organized and prearranged and we are racing to see who can complete the course in the fastest times. It is certainly a contest of speed. Add to this the fact that 9 out of 10 judges and most Joe Citizens have no love for racing and other "dangerous" activities, and I think the chances of success are no greater that the usual margin of error in any trial.

 

I'm puzzled over how you can so unequivocally state that autocross is not covered by insurance when 100% of the claims I've seen have been.

I'm not saying that all autocross incidents will be covered; in fact, I'd recommend assuming that they never will be. But fact is that it only takes one positive example (a covered accident) to disprove a negative ("we are not covered"), and I've personally witnessed two positives.

Steve

 

Technically, according to my policy (which I assume is similar to most others), I am not covered at an autocross. It explicitly excludes coverage for damage done at a "timed or competitive event". Autocross fits that description.
But... that doesn't mean that you can't get the insurance company to pay for your damage. It just means that they legally don't have to.

 

I also have a couple of friends that have had serious damage that was incurred during an autocross covered by their insurance. Then they were dropped or their rates were substantially increased, much like what happens for any at-fault claim. However, my main point is that most policies (including Surf2K's) are clearly written to EXCLUDE coverage for autocrosses. If the insurance company decides to cover someone anyway, that's great, it just shouldn't be expected.

Also, I have witnessed several other less severe autocross accidents where the person paid for repairs out-of-pocket in order to avoid any denial of coverage, policy termination, or subsequent rate increases.

Steve - the new Boxster S 50th Anniversary 550 Spyder certainly looks like a beautiful performer!

 

The word "racing" still seems rather subjective to me. Until you put "any" in front of it.

So Steve, If you don't mind my asking, what were the circumstances in those two positive accidents? AutoX generally seems so safe. Well, except perhaps for some of the local bmw events....