Track day insurance
Why your road policy probably stops at the circuit gate, what specialist track day cover does and doesn't pay for, and where to get a quote for cars and bikes.
Does my normal insurance cover a track day?
Almost certainly not. Nearly every UK road policy excludes use on a racetrack, at a track day or on any "timed or untimed" circuit event, and many say so in a single line buried in the exclusions. A few insurers used to include limited track cover as an extra, but it's rare now. Look for words like "racing", "pacemaking", "track days" or "derestricted toll roads" in your policy. If in doubt, ring them and get the answer in writing.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife catches people out. Public sessions there are run under German road rules, but most UK insurers still exclude it, and some name it specifically.
The track day organiser will have public liability insurance for the event, but that's for their own liability. It won't pay to fix your car.
What track day insurance covers
Specialist track day insurance is mainly accidental damage cover for your own car or bike while it's on track. You can usually buy it for a single day, a multi-day trip or a whole season. Depending on the policy, it can also include:
- Damage from spins, offs and contact with barriers or other vehicles.
- Fire and theft at the circuit.
- Repatriation of the car or bike from a European circuit.
- Barrier and Armco repair bills at the Nürburgring, which the circuit charges back to you and can run to thousands of euros.
- Personal accident cover.
What it usually doesn't cover
- Wear and tear, such as blown engines, gearboxes, clutches, brakes and tyres, unless an accident caused it.
- Racing or timed sessions. Track day cover is for open, non-competitive days.
- Damage to other people's cars, unless the policy specifically includes it. On most UK track days each driver is responsible for their own car.
- Breaking the organiser's rules, for example driving after a black flag.
Excesses and how premiums are worked out
Expect a large excess, often a percentage of the car's value (10% is common) with a minimum figure. The premium is based on the car's value, the circuit and how many days you're covering. Cover for a modest hot hatch for a single UK day can start from under £100. Expensive cars and the Nordschleife cost much more.
Some policies need to be bought a set time before you go on track; others can be bought up to an hour before. Check the cut-off, especially on the morning of the event.
Who sells it
These specialists offer track day cover for UK drivers and riders. We're listing them for information; we haven't reviewed their policies and we're not recommending one over another.
| Provider | Cars or bikes | What they say they cover |
|---|---|---|
| MORIS | Cars | Single and multi-day on-track accident damage, UK and European circuits, cars up to £200,000 in value. Prices from about £69. Can be bought up to an hour before you go on track. |
| Trackday Addicts | Bikes | Bike damage on UK and European circuits including the Nürburgring, plus repatriation, theft in transit and injury cover. |
| Ryan Motorsport Insurance | Cars and bikes | Any vehicle at European circuits; Nordschleife barrier damage included as standard. Quote online. |
| Adrian Flux | Cars | Track day cover at over 40 UK circuits. Quotes by phone. |
Some organisers, including DN Events, RSR and RMA, can also arrange Nürburgring or Spa cover as an add-on when you book.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Is the circuit I'm going to covered, and is the Nordschleife included or extra?
- What's the excess, and is it a fixed amount or a percentage of the car's value?
- How do you value the car if it's written off? Agreed value, or market value on the day?
- Are modifications covered, and do I need to declare them?
- Is transport to and from the circuit covered, or only on-track time?
- Does it include recovery and repatriation from abroad?
- Can more than one driver share the car?
If you decide not to insure
Plenty of people go uninsured, especially in cheap cars. If you do, be honest with yourself about what you could afford to lose. Ask whether you could pay to fix or replace the car, cover a barrier bill, and still get home. Driving at eight tenths and keeping a big margin is the cheapest insurance there is.
Ready to book? See the latest dates, or read our first track day guide.