Track-day experiences make great Christmas presents – but here’s how it can end up costing the driver thousands of pounds
You have to pay around £5,000 in excess if you crash a car on circuit
TRACK DAYS make thrilling gifts for motor enthusiasts who have the chance to get behind the wheel of a supercar without being restricted by speed limits.
However, you risk spending thousands of pounds should you lose control - or even if someone crashes into you.
An array of supercars can be driven around a professional circuit for as little as £40 - but beyond basic 'wear and tear', you are liable for around £5,000 of damage.
Drivers are offered insurance on the day for a fee of around £20 to £40 - however, you will still have to pay thousands in excess if you're found to be reckless or negligent.
Something that you can be easily guilty of when driving at high speeds or if you're inexperienced with powerful motors.
Be aware that you are liable for any damage to your car even if someone else hits you - if you don't have insurance, their policy will not cover your repair costs.
When taking your own vehicle on the track some insurers will limit their cover by car price - such as up to £50,000 - and by age.
So make sure you and your car are eligible, and expect to pay over the odds if you're under 30 years old.
You may be liable for any damage caused to the circuit - if you crash into a barrier, your insurer is unlikely to pay for the repair.
Mechanical failure or any internal damage is also not included under many policies, which could set you back thousands of pounds alone if a problem occurs on track.
Read the fine print to see if cosmetic damage is covered too - this can be minor damage when driving over circuit kerbs or even if any debris ruins the car's paint job.
TRACK DAY INSURANCE
The average cost of premiums for a 30-year-old male at a track like Oulton Park for a day is:
- BMW M3 (valued at £25,000) - £150
- Honda Civic Type R (valued at £7,000) - £99
- Renault Clio (valued at £7,000) - £99
- Mazda MX-5 (valued at £5,000) - £75
The minimum excess cost based on the vehicle values above are:
- BMW M3 - £2,000
- Honda Civic Type R - £1,000
- Renault Clio - £1,000
- Mazda MX-5 - £750
*Data provided to Sun Motors by Adrian Flux Insurance
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If your car is modified in any way, ensure to tell your insurance provider as they only cover for standard factory builds.
You need to pay extra for breakdown service - which is wise given any accident at high speeds will most likely require the car to be towed to a garage or back home.
Importantly, make sure you also have personal accident insurance. Those with existing life insurance policies need to inform their provider of the 'hazardous activity'.