Insurance & Sporting Bears

[Ginja]

Just a heads up really. Last year I joined the sporting bears and had great fun attending some of the events they support. This year I intended to do the same, however, my insurer - Chaucer - decided that they would not provide me with the required cover note for the events. Having renewed in December their policy schedule also means I would get back approximately only 20% of my premium - so I cannot now move insurer without a huge loss.

They supported the events last year just fine so I had no reason to believe they would not this year. So, if you are considering renewal please check carefully that the renewal will definitely cover what you need it to and if you wish to do Bears Chaucer will not support you (sadly, benevolence and supporting those less well off in society appears to be frowned upon).

Mark

[ViperDave]

I must admit my biggest concern and primary reason for not taking part in these types of events lately has been driven by insurance and liability, both the concern for me trashing my car without any cover and being sued by someone who took exception to being maimed/mildly frightened by my actions.

whilst I know in most cases of these events disclaimers are supposed to be signed by people getting in the car, in all the ones I have taken part in I have had to take it on faith that this actually happened and also nowadays I'm not so convinced that the bit of paper would be worth much in the event of a problem.

Sad I know and a shame for others not to get to ride in the car but if life so far has taught me anything is that st happened and usually when you least expect it and at the most inconvenient of times.

[Ginja]

It is a worry, and I'm a good worrier. However, its also fun and you meet some interesting people. Sporting Bears have £5m public liability cover for their events and its your licence at stake so I just make it clear i'm giving rides not 'experiences', keep to the rules treat everyone with respect. People are generally fine and you always need to be careful on the road or track anyway. Plus its also really nice to have a genuine reason to get the car out

But, like I say, it is a worry.

Mark

[500 RAM]

Ginja, thanks for the info we've just phoned Flux/equity red star no off road cover at all, what a bummer i was looking forward to this

Andrew

[Ginja]

Hi Andrew, just to be clear usually the bears events are on the road and to ensure safety and liability is covered they require all drivers to have informed their insurers that they will be giving rides to the public. The insurer then needs to provide a cover-note for the event or letter stating they are aware you are doing this (its not for profit and its not racing and so should normally be covered anyway according to the insurers policy rules but the bears are playing safe).

I think you are talking about the Bedford event? I believe this is on the track so the rules may be different as you would not normally be covered for track events anyway (unless you are with CCI). Its definitely worth someone clarifying this though as I do not have any information on this event. Adrian/Nigel might know and all may not be lost!?

Mark

[MADMAX-UK]

CCI covered me for the supercar event at dunsfold last year so I have no reason to believe they will not cover the Rockingham event too - I will check tomorrow.

[Viper]

when we was at VOI there was a guy who unluckly crashed his SRT into the wall at the Texas Speedway, with a Skip Barber instructor in the passenger seat who lost a couple of toes in the accident

a week later its was on the VCA forums, the owner had a seven figure damage case against him/insurance, not sure of the result but it wasnt clear at the time that he had insurance coverage for the instructor but his car was

so it sounds its worth checking any paying passenger is also insured

Edited by Viper on Wednesday 3rd April 18:14

[500 RAM]

We phoned the insurance today and told them we were thinking of attending the sporting bears event at rockingham and the man said NO

[Gixer]

MADMAX-UK said:

CCI covered me for the supercar event at dunsfold last year so I have no reason to believe they will not cover the Rockingham event too - I will check tomorrow.

That's interesting. I almost renewed with CCI but when questioned about what off road/circuits would be covered I was told only FIA approved circuits. As I really wanted it for Modena and that wasn't covered I stayed with Flux. After reading this and other threads ref insurance, it appears to be completely random.

Pretty sad they can't cover for organisations like Sporting Bears though. I would suggest looking to see if they have a FB
page and if they do post on it. Put it in the public domain that they dont support charity and it's likely there will be a response.

[500 RAM]

We used to be with CCI but two years ago for some reason theycould no longer reckonise the SRT10RAM saying it is'nt a sportscar and it's not a normal pickup so refused to insure it.

[MADMAX-UK]

I phoned CCI today and was told they DO honour Sporting Bears Motor Club events.
I would however also need to be a member of SBMC to be covered - see here http://www.sportingbears.co.uk/ - so that's gonna cost you £20 and a stamp.
Additionally I need to inform CCI before attending the event (which is standard practise) BUT (some good news) attending these events would not come off of the 5 track events per year I can have as part of my insurance.
See you at Rockingham

[Gixer]

MADMAX-UK said:

I phoned CCI today and was told they DO honour Sporting Bears Motor Club events.
I would however also need to be a member of SBMC to be covered - see here http://www.sportingbears.co.uk/ - so that's gonna cost you £20 and a stamp.
Additionally I need to inform CCI before attending the event (which is standard practise) BUT (some good news) attending these events would not come off of the 5 track events per year I can have as part of my insurance.
See you at Rockingham

...but those 5 track days have to be on FIA tracks - that's what they told me when i enquired further anyway and that's why I never went with them. If they can't get it right with prospective new business, what they going to be like with a claim?

[Ginja]

For those that need general bears cover and might want to go to the occasional track day though this is good news. Thanks for the clarification Ade. Haggerty also support the bears for normal road type events, but require the car to be garaged and no commuting.

Sorry to have stirred up a hornets nest but figure with topics like this its best to be sure!

Mark

[Anaconda666]

Last year I drove at the Supercar Event and my insurance would cover me for the Sporting Bears as all you are doing is driving down the road with a passenger, no different than if anyone else was in you car. They made it quite clear my insurance would NOT cover any track based driving, so did that without insurance.
KGM via Graham Sykes insurance, not sure what they are like with Vipers but seem to be pretty good for mustang insurance.

[Viper Nigel]

As mentioned below I checked with my insurance company when I first joined the Sporting Bears. You don't need specific insurance cover as a) no monies are paid to the driver and b) you are driving on normal roads so any passengers are covered by normal comprehensive motor insurance.