Car Insurance - Take Note

[gary396]

This is the point that I was trying to get across in my thread "Car insurance for marshals" (started 15th March 2009) although I got the impression some people didn't think it was a serious point. But it could be if you have an incident on way to/from a circuit or worse at the circuit.

To be frank it's naive to assume your insurance would automatically cover a marshal or any official in such circumstances. It may well do but there is no guarantee. As I said originally (sorry - don't know how to link to that thread) it's far better to check with them first. Mine (eSure) just added it as business use at no extra cost, even though I'm retired.

Also even if you have business use already that is normally for your declared business / job and NOT automatically for anything else that they MAY deem to be a buisness.

Only trying to save someone but please do check!

Gary

P.s. By the way, when the police check a vehicle the check now includes a check of the motor insurance industry database which tells them if the vehicle is insured, for which drivers and what conditions e.g. business use. If there is any doubt as to the use at the time they then refer that to the company. And finally - if there is no insurance (including mis-use of the vehicle) they can now seize it immediately) and it will be destroyed if it is confirmed that there was no insurance or that it wasn't covered!

[Guinness2702]

Originally Posted by gary396

if there is no insurance (including mis-use of the vehicle) they can now seize it immediately) and it will be destroyed if it is confirmed that there was no insurance or that it wasn't covered!

Is it not the case that this only applies if it is used, without proper insurance, on a public highway?

[JEP]

While I agree with the sentiments expressed in the first paragraph of Grantp's response; I don't think the idea of third party insurance is to make a bit of extra tax for HM's Government of what ever hue; but to protect the "Third Party" in any accident. It also protects us, As paying back several million pounds for a serious injury claim might prove a little difficult for most of us on the bank.

Thanks to Circuitmarshal for the pointer, might save some of us a lot of dosh.

JEP

[gary396]

Originally Posted by Guinness2702

Is it not the case that this only applies if it is used, without proper insurance, on a public highway?

Yes, that's the point - on the way to and from a meeting on a public road. But 'used without insurance' can include being used for a non-declared purpose (e.g. travelling to/from as a race marshal / official).

But you're correct - the police wouldn't be involved if it was damaged at a circuit. The point here is that the insurance company might not cover it if they weren't aware of its use - it would be up to them and the interpretation of their policy.

I would stress that I'm not wanting to spread alarm with this issue - merely highlighting a potential problem for marshals etc if they don't first check with their insurers.

[Circuitmarshal]

Just back from nearly an hour at the insurance shop, the guy phoned the company while I was there - what an eye opener!
Public areas include the car parks that are even outside the circuit fence, so you go to one meeting in you life car gets nicked or damaged and they don't pay out - Lovely!!
So Spectators check out your insurance as well!!
Guy asked all sorts of questions but he wasn't going to cover it anyway.
So back with same people as last year but paying £2 per year more than last year but at least I can take the car to work!
Told these people what I do they are happy that basically I'm a Safety Officer.
Glad I deal with a company that has a shop in the high street, saves a lot of leg work and phone calls.

[davyboy]

I've recently taken out a policy with admiral and here's the exact wording on the insurance certificate.

' The Policy does not cover :
Use for hiring, merchandise delivery or use for any purpose in connection with the Motor Trade. Use on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, or for racing, competitions, rallies, track days, trials or speed tests either on a road, track, or at an off road 4 x 4 event or where the type of use is shown as excluded under the above heading "permitted use". '

Note, the heading "permitted use" doesn't have any exclusions. I've read this a few times now, but I can't see how I would not be covered for visiting a race circuit as a spectator or using it as a tow car for my kart to the track. What's the exact wording on yours ?

[speedy jon]

Originally Posted by davyboy

I've recently taken out a policy with admiral and here's the exact wording on the insurance certificate.

' The Policy does not cover :
use for any purpose in connection with the Motor Trade.

does this mean if you work in the motor trade you wouldnt be covered to go to work at a garage ect?

[The STIG]

Originally Posted by speedy jon

does this mean if you work in the motor trade you wouldnt be covered to go to work at a garage ect?

Now that is what I can only call, a Conunderum.

Still. you should see the quotes for those who work in the media. I shall have to be very carefull about who insures my cars!

at the moment, my limitations are that I cant' use the car for...

Racing, Competitions [presumably that includes any treasure hunts etc.?], rallies [see competitions], trials, track days or 4x4 off road events [although how I'm supposed to do one of those in a 1.1 2x4 106 is beyond me], Use for hire and reward, use for commercial travelling [is that the same as business travel?], use for any purpose in connection with the motor trade, or use to secure the release of a motor car other than the one that the policy is for, which has been seized by any government or public authority.

Doesn't say anything about actual tracks though.

[aland]

davy, I did ask specifically if the only place I am not covered is on the track itself and the person said yes, I then asked if my car was parked up within the track or circuit boundaries and it was vandalised or such would I be covered and i was assured that it would be covered

I also had to informthem that i have a towbar fitted for towing my caravan

been with admiral for over 10 years with no probs

[MacGWC]

Just noticed this thread.

You may like to approach Richard Eggers on richard.egger@richardeggerinsurance.co.uk. Richard is very involved with rallying, rally marshalling and the BRMC. He recently wrote to the BMMC offering car insurance with some valuable extra cover, specifically tailored for active marshals who may take their cars (and other belongings) onto race/rally circuits where cover is sometimes lacking on standard car insurance policies.

Hope this helps.

George Copeland
National Treasurer BMMC

Don't forget to get your copy of 50 Years of Motorsport Marshalling, via www.marshals.co.uk

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by speedy jon

does this mean if you work in the motor trade you wouldnt be covered to go to work at a garage ect?

... and what about somebody who works for a car manufacturer, car manufacturing supplier etc... My understanding with my exclusions that using my car in connection with the motor trade would be not be covered. In other words, where my car was used to perform a function connected to the motor trade. Driving me to and from my normal place of work as a garage mechanic for example would not be 'used in connection with the motor trade'.

I've looked at my previous cert and schedule from MoreThan and its not too dissimilar to the Admiral one.

Circuitmarshall, what company do you have your insurance underwritten by ? Is it a major name ?

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by aland

davy, I did ask specifically if the only place I am not covered is on the track itself and the person said yes, I then asked if my car was parked up within the track or circuit boundaries and it was vandalised or such would I be covered and i was assured that it would be covered

I also had to informthem that i have a towbar fitted for towing my caravan

been with admiral for over 10 years with no probs

That was my understanding too. I also spoke to them about towing my trailer/kart etc... and they acknowledged that everything there was fine too. The car I used for towing the kart was under TPFT cover and they said that the trailer and its contents would not be covered for fire/theft etc..., which I was fine about. I was only concerned about being legal on the road and that I was covered for third party damage if the trailor decided to unhook and get up close and personal with any other road users.

[Circuitmarshal]

Originally Posted by davyboy

Circuitmarshall, what company do you have your insurance underwritten by ? Is it a major name ?

ABC through Swinton they went with the other one for this coming year as it was a few £'s cheaper.
Must say Swinton were very helpful and the fact that you can go to the High Street and talk to them.

[davyboy]

ABC are a fairly new company, established in 2007... though part of Liverpool Victoria so it would appear. Its possible that they've a slightly unorthodox slant on things... or that they haven't fully thought through some of their exclusions. Clearly what you've been told is not only impractical, but may also be an illegal exclusion based on the minimal cover motor insurance companies are required to provide by law. For example, an insurance company cannot decide to exclude cover for snowy weather or rain. If you've bought coverage to include commuting to/from your normal place of work... they cannot then withdraw that coverage based on the location of your normal place of work.

[PapaJuliet]

Originally Posted by davyboy

... and what about somebody who works for a car manufacturer,

This is not classed as working in the motor trade.

You say you work for a motor manufacturer.

I think the subtlety is because in the first case you might drive your car in the course of carrying out your job rather than just as a means to get to your job.

If I drive a car in the course of my job (not my car, a "work" car) I am covered by my company's equivalent of insurance.

PJ