ALANB

I'm insured with Privilege and while they'll insure me for UK track days and going to Germany they will not do the same for the Nurburgring. Any idea where I can get some cover, or is there anything you can get at the track?

Rich_R

Alan

I had assumed that I would automatically be covered through Privilege as it is after all just a one way public road and there is nothing special going on other than it's open to the public on those days - ie. it's not a track day or similar

Looks like I might need some insurance too.

Rich.

James_Harvey

Did they specifically say that?

The Nurburg ring is a public road. A standard green card should cover it, unless they specifically mention otherwise in your policy.

James.

ALANB

I asked when I was getting the green card insurance, they checked with the underwriter and said the Nurburgring track wasn't covered.
To be honest, I thought you couldn't get cover for the track and there were signs up saying so, however I don't want to have to spring for a section of Armco if I can help it.

ian/555

Has the NurburgRing got an allocated No. like our M1 and M4 or A1 etc, if so I can't see a problem. But I shall be phoning my insurers to check, as I will not be able to go if it is classed as needing separate cover

ian/555

Just got off the phone with my insurance company, the person I spoke to could not say for sure and would have to speak to the underwriter. I then had to wait an agonising time which seemed like eternity and then some more!

The outcome is that as long as I am not racing I am covered!

Rich_R

Just called Privilege:

First they said that the green card would cost me £16 for fully comp cover but I would not be able to go "on the track" as they put it.

I didn't even bother pointing out that it was not a "track" I just said that my policy covered me for UK track days as long as there was no timing/racing etc - so why not this one? She asked me if I had done many UK track days with them - said yeah plenty. She then went to check with her supervisor - all OK.

I double checked the notes she made on her computer to make sure it specifically stated that I was fully comp throughout the trip and also fully comp driving the Nurburgring.

Result

Rich.

[This message has been edited by Rich_R (edited 28 March 2001).]

ALANB

Hurrah, got it sorted, rang them back and they re-iterated that I wasn't covered, after a bit of an interogation it turned out that whoever had took my details first time had put down that I was "racing" grrr, once I told them I wasn't they recanted and I'm covered, whew!

Tim W

iTrader: (1)

Hate to put a dampner on this, but I've been talking to my insurers today (with whom I have a very good relationship, and a damn good deal!) I was asking for a green card, and knowing me as they do they asked if I was going to the 'Ring.

They have told me that I will not be covered, no way, definately not on the 'Ring even if pootling round Basically cover for the track on this ocaision is out of the question through them, even if I was to try and pay for it...

Now I'm going to have to look around for independant track cover, which will be expensive, and difficult as I am away on business all next week (Nepcon anyone?)

johnfelstead

Tim, they cant say that to you unless they specifaclly state in the policy documents that a particular road is not covered.

The ring during open to public days is a public road, it is under the normal juristriction of the police as any road in germany is.

I currently have a claim going through against me from my last trip there, this is all covered under the normal insurance as it was not run as a closed track.

I had a good chat with the police there and they just treated everything as a normal everyday road accident. If there were any issues re. special cover they would have mentioned it whilst taking my details down.

I am intrigued by the guys here who are running with priveledge insurance policies giving track day cover on UK tracks. I was informed that priveledge had cancelled all track cover, is this not the case?????????

MrNice

I've been trawling websites for some time now to try and clarify the insurance situation on the 'ring pending a trip this July, when I found this old thread.

It appears that just about every insurance company mentions the Nürburgring as an exclusion, or excludes "derestricted toll roads" hmm

I found these two pages which sum it up best - thought I'd post them here for everyone's reference:

http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/insurance.html

http://www.leeds-solicitors.com/nurb...insurance.html

Happy 'ringing

b16msu265

iTrader: (6)

Thanks Mr nice going this weekend and still trying to sort things out its a bloody nightmare

MrNice

I used HB Eggar Lawson Ltd. for my last track day. Unlike some track day insurance policies theirs covers the rolling chassis and the engine/transmission, so watch for that.

It appears that even if your insurnace explicitly excludes the ring, they have to cover you third party, or the minimum for the country you're in, by law.

I'll be giving Eggar Lawson a call soon to see what they quote for a long weekend at the 'ring

b16msu265

iTrader: (6)

going first thing in the morning but my mrs found these guys EVERITTBOLES.COM

71/200

iTrader: (2)

This is always a grey area for some! By EU Law UK insurance companys have to cover you on the German Public toll road (The Ring)

Having lived there for a while it seems its only the UK insurance companys that try to make a big deakl out of this.

If you have an accident on the Ring as has been said the German Civil Police will deal with it as a normal road accident.

If you dont have the correct European Cover and produce some form of track day insurance you are more than likely going to end up in German Court for having no Insurance.

Taking out extra cover is a waste of money imo as its not worth the paper printed on.

Just my 2 p worth having lived there, i had German insurance as the UK companys are a bollox to deal with.

MrNice

Have spoken to HB Eggar Lawson, they can no longer find anyone to underwrite their Nurburgring insurnace as there so many claims.

UK car insurance companies have to cover the minimum requirements, which in Germany, like the UK is only third party. If you have fully comp insurance that precludes the Nurburgring, a UK car with UK insurance will in most instances not be fully comp, but only third party.

I've only heard of three people try and make a claim, and their insurance companies refused or claimed the costs back from the individual.

You car must be insured, but if you want fully comp, you will most likely need "specialist" cover, or a "track day" top-up.

To make matters worse, I called my insurance company as they exclude the 'ring by name, to ask if there was additional cover I could purchase. Sadly, the call centre (not UK) insisted I was fully covered for all roads in the UK and Europe, but would put it in writting. Grr!

twooo

iTrader: (3)

I looked into insurance in depth before I went to the 'ring last weekend. The best bit of information I got was:
taken from http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/index.html

This seemed to make perfect sense TBH, and after ringing round getting quotes from various companies for specific Nurburgring insurance (which were scandalous) I didn't bother getting any. I took the first few laps extremely cautiously in order to get to know at least some of the sharp corners before I went round it at full pelt.

Have fun out there!!!

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Ouch..... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...&nmt='Ring Trip 28th - 30th May Crash. - M5 U.K. Car !

Not worth risking without proper cover IMO

Lee_1075

iTrader: (1)

One of my friends was caught up in that pile up, he owns the white Sti pictured below which has now been classed as a write off. Apparently the BMW lost oil according too the German reports. The Nissans passenger is still in hospital and is seriously hurt and no one has been able too found out if the M5 Driver is insured for the Ring.

twooo

iTrader: (3)

I was there the weekend this happened. Still don't know the full outcome of the insurance implications (am watching a couple of Ring forums to see if anything comes to light). I do understand what you're saying Moley, but am also very aware you have a vested interest in promoting insurance....

I was quoted approx £250 per day for 'ring insurance, with an excess of £1000. Far too steep for what I considered a small risk. Accidents on the ring involving more than one car are very very rare. MOST crashes are due to driver error/driver exuberance. And anyway, I very much doubt if your insurance will cover Nürburgring GmbH's bills for replacing armco, recovery truck, track closure, etc. which they hammer you for in the event of you having an 'off'.

Know the risks, drive like you can't afford to replace it if you stack it, and get the best brakes and tyres you can afford.

Yes, dropped oil and fluids can ruin your day, but in most cases people are very good at warning other drivers and slowing down traffic immediately after an accident and the 'ring marshalls are sh!thot at clearing up the track as soon as they possibly can. They also up up "Oil Spill" warning signs ahead of a previous spill to warn you of possible track slipperiness, which are fairly prominent. Take heed of all these warnings and you should have no issues.

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Not at all mate

I do 4-5 track days per year, so am interested from a drivers point of view.

As a company we make pretty much nothing out of track cover, lots of work for no reward..... but i don't want to see anyone lose their car (or more if the insurers come after you)

twooo

iTrader: (3)

Fair enough, no offence intended. (I need to be pals with you when my renewal comes up in a couple of months! )

Moley

iTrader: (9)

Lol, no probs

It is certainly a difficult situation though.

I am lucky, as the company i am with cover the Nurburgring for £60 per day (with a high excess)
If i wasn't with them, or they refused cover i don't think i'd personally risk it.

I know of one guy (not insured with us i'd add) who is looking at a £40k bill for armco after an accident at the ring, as his company are throwing out the claim.

I'd like to do it, but i don't see what the great attraction is. I'd rather do Spa myself (just to experience Eau Rouge)

I know several people who have done the Ring many times, and they are not impressed with how it has changed in the last 2 years.
Apparently the quality of driving has reduced massively. Driving etiquette has gone out the window (especially with the bikes)
Too many people with stripped out race cars trying to set their own personal lap record, and they just class you as an obstacle.

Or maybe i'm just bitter that my car won't make it to Germany and back!!!

Anger

iTrader: (4)

Until you have driven it Gary you wont.... Im already sorting my next trip

I saw the scoob refuelling and going on just before crash happened

Moley

iTrader: (9)

It'd always be at the back of my mind though that if it all goes wrong it'd be a nightmare.

Not as if it's an hours drive in a recovery truck.

Anger

iTrader: (4)

Same as Spa... only about an hour more to the ring

I drove two laps at the weekend with only 1 other scoob and Evo to play with the whole lap, you just have to pick the right times to go out

Moley

iTrader: (9)

That's why i haven't done Spa

Don't get me wrong, the Ring is apparently brilliant.... it just doesn't do it for me. Too many idoits out there.
I know i haven't driven it, and i know the SES guys loved their trip(s), but i have spoken to many others who say it's loosing its appeal.

Given the choice of the two it'd be Spa.... but each to their own.

(although the obvious suggestion would be to do what the MLR boys do.... Ring on the Sunday, Spa on the Monday)

Gilesdwrc

I've been twice, my trusty GX takes me round in... I've no idea, never timed it never will, just trying to hit the apexes keep it smooth and enjoy using the full width of the road. Best advice I've ever seen "Treat it like a fast country road, safe in the knowledge there's nothing coming the other way."

I've checked with my insurance company and they gave me a written quote saying they cover me on 'ALL public roads in the EU Without exception'.

And yes the 'ALL' is in bold and underlined at my request.

Insurance firm? National Farmers Union (NFU Mutual) I've always insured with them and always will. Local offices with local phone numbers and I've found they look for ways TO pay not NOT TO pay

mbayley77

iTrader: (4)

Thumbs up for Spa and thumbs up for the ring.

Wouldnt do either without Mr Moleys insurance though!

I could probably live without my car or a bill for armco but paralysing someone and paying that claim.....I know for sure that I wouldnt have an overdraft big enough for that one.

Doesnt matter how you drive if a hose goes and puts a liter of oil down in front of a bike then its you for the chop every time.