Driver Education Events

The Select program 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."