Miata Mailing List: December 1998, Message #331

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I'm going to add a post I found via the Porsche List....   It has to do with
Driver Education events that Porsche Clubs have been doing for a long time.
Please don't consider this as any kind of "final word" on the subject as the
topic is constantly debated on that list too with no clear outcome other than
"read your policy and check with your insurance company."

But I do think the post brings up a few good points for consideration so for
those interested, here goes (please see my comments at the end):

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Driver Education Events 
The Select program (this guy sells insurance) excludes coverage from driver
education events, along with all other off-road/track events. If you feel your
current insurance policy does offer this coverage, take a look at the
following... 

This is an excerpt from an online newsgroup discussion on the subject of
insurance at Driver Education events. These comments say a lot about proper
driver mindset, and some things to watch out for if you have an insurance
claim. The author, Bob Rouleau, is an active Porsche Club of America driver
education event participant and instructor. 
  
The message Mr. Rouleau refers to below was written by another driver who had
received a letter from his insurance agent stating he was covered for Driver's
Education events "...I'm investigating this issue quite seriously. Some
companies commonly issue letters covering participants in Driver's Ed. In the
coverage letter discussed previously, note the words to the effect that he's
covered as long as there is no timing and it isn't a race. 

There have been a few instances where the insurance company denies coverage
after investigating and concluding that a particular Driver's Education event
is "practicing for racing". 

While mandatory Driver's Ed for a racer makes sense, (learn to drive a car
safely before you race it), an insurance company faced with a write-off of a
$100,000 993 Twin Turbo for example, might conclude that Driver's Ed is
actually racing driving school, and not what they intended when they confirmed
coverage. They'd be wrong in my opinion, but they have an arguing point which
leads to litigation. 

If you are concerned about insurance at your Driver Education event, ask
yourself these questions: 

•Even though timing is not allowed, do we talk openly about lap times? •Would
an investigator notice people standing by the track with stopwatches? Perhaps
see tripod mounted automatic timing devices? •Would he also observe cars
chasing each other, not to say racing? •Are there articles in your club
newsletter which might convey the wrong impression of Driver Education? •Do
other participants refer to Driver Education as "racing"? •Perhaps a large
number of race cars participating in "Driver's Ed" the weekend before a race
at the same venue? 

I could go on (and on and on) but the moral of the story here is that just
because you have a letter saying that Driver's Ed is covered, don't count on
an easy settlement should something untoward happen. Driver's Ed events should
pass close scrutiny by a skeptical insurance adjustor. Will yours? If the
insurance company feels that the Driver's Ed event you participated in isn't
really "Driver's Education" they may deny coverage and force you to litigate. 

My advice to anyone attending Driver's Education events is to assume that you
have no insurance coverage. 

Accidents at Driver's Ed are very infrequent. When they do happen, they almost
always involve only one car, i.e. driver error. 

•Driver's Ed is safe, some drivers are not. Keep within your limits. •Learn to
drive before you significantly increase the performance of your car. If you
take up alpine skiing, do you start with expert skis and boots? Why do it with
a car? •If you feel the car is getting ahead of you, get off the track and get
an instructor to help you. •Keep your head. •Driver's Ed. is not racing. Don't
try to catch or keep ahead of a faster car. The faster person has a more
powerful car and/or much more experience than you do. What might be a large
safety factor for them may not be enough for you. •Check your breathing, short
shallow breaths? Slow down and relax. •Avoid "the red mist". 

You'll have fun with minimal risk. That's your best insurance policy." 

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As I said, it's not PCA doctrine, it's just some advice.    In fact it was
posted by an Insurance salesperson.   But it has some food for thought and is
passed along in that spirt only.    One other thing, as you review your
policies and it excludes "off road" events... is any track not off road?   I'd
want to know the answer to that one.

Please, none of this is meant to discourage.   It's solely meant to generate a
personal interest in some to investigate further before entering what may be
an unacceptable risk situation.   Personally, I go to DE's all the time, will
continue to do so, etc.  but I understand the risk.

bob