BMW MOA insurance

[119113]

Hello All,

My local BMW dealer is sponsoring a track day this spring with control riders, debriefing after each session, etc. However, my current insurance company, State Farm, excludes participating in track days (no insurance if you ride on a track). So, in the hunt for a new insurance carrier, I checked with BMW MOA insurance thinking surely they recognize this as a legitimate use of one's motorcycle. Well, to my surprise, they, too, don't cover a bike on a track.

Any advice? Which insurance companies do cover track days and recognize riding on a track as a legitimate use of one's bike?

Thanks in advance.

Peter

[Isamemon]

wow
I have state farm
guess I never read the fine print
yikes
looking forward to a good answer

[osbornk]

I suspect every insurance policy you will find will have that exclusion. I worked in insurance claims for many years and every policy I have ever seen had the exclusion in it.

[chasman]

Tell your insurance company (if you need them as a result of this activity) that you were participating in a rider training class on a closed rider training range. Don't mention "track" or "course". Surely that will work...and it's what you were doing...right?


Riding Like the Wind(maybe in a few weeks)...

CHASMAN

[119113]

[QUOTE=chasman;300032]Tell your insurance company (if you need them as a result of this activity) that you were participating in a rider training class on a closed rider training range. Don't mention "track" or "course". Surely that will work...and it's what you were doing...right?

Yes, I explained to my State Farm agent and the BMW MOA insurance agent that riding on a track in a closed, controlled environment is a form of rider training (NO racing involved!). Each acknowledged this fact, but stated that riding on a track is excluded.

I fear that the words track or speedway included in the description of an accident report would be enough invoke the exclusion.

I suspect that the 'above the limit' speed on a track is what make insurance companies nervous.

I'll keep looking.

peterh

[adsinger]

Our club has run a rider's school at the JenningsGP track in Florida for the past five years. We have had a couple of people damage bikes (fortunately not bodies), they were both able to collect from their insurance companiesbecause they were participating in rider education program.

Frankly, track days without instruction are wasted on the majority of BMW riders. Further, they become dangerous for many when there are only a few Beemers in a sport bike field. There are exceptions of course, and I know that riders are grouped, but for the most part BMW riders are over their heads at an open track day.

Ours is highly structured with class time equal to track time, riding reinforcing the lessons. We have one instructor for every 4-5 students, three skill levels with appropriate training, restricted passing, etc. Still we've had a few incidents, but the overall riding skills have improved dramatically. It's neat to see riders who started in the C group now riding with the A guys. We've also had great response from the female riders, I think every woman rider in the club has been to at least one class and a few to most or all.

alan.

[BradfordBenn]

GMAC Insurance allowed me to do a track day no worries.

[Rob Nye]

Hello All,

My local BMW dealer is sponsoring a track day this spring with control riders, debriefing after each session, etc. However, my current insurance company, State Farm, excludes participating in track days (no insurance if you ride on a track). So, in the hunt for a new insurance carrier, I checked with BMW MOA insurance thinking surely they recognize this as a legitimate use of one's motorcycle. Well, to my surprise, they, too, don't cover a bike on a track.

Any advice? Which insurance companies do cover track days and recognize riding on a track as a legitimate use of one's bike?

Thanks in advance.

Peter

As an aside it is a real shame that Markel is continuing to mislead our members that there is such a thing as "BMW MOA Insurance".

That perception is 100% opposite of what the board approved a few years ago and I am disappointed that it is allowed to continue.

[mistermike]

I don't know about coverage for track day, but I can tell you that Markel insurance, which I think is endorsed by the MOA, was a total rip off. I was with them for several years (pre endorsement by MOA), no accidents or claims, assuming I was paying market rates. Big mistake. Progressive was 50% less. I wouldn't have complained about a small difference but this was absurd.

[DarthWader]

As an aside it is a real shame that Markel is continuing to mislead our members that there is such a thing as "BMW MOA Insurance".

That perception is 100% opposite of what the board approved a few years ago and I am disappointed that it is allowed to continue.

One would think that if Markel is "endorsed by the MOA," that we are being provided a group rate, at least that's the perception I had when I secured insurance for my 06' R1200RT last April. At the time I was checking prices, Progressive's rate was much higher. Guess I'll see how things go with my present arrangement with Markel.

Jim

[bugley]

I too did my shopping for insurance the last time it was due. Gave all the save qualifying criteria - Multiple bike discount, all BMW's, both riders with MSF and MOST training, no accident history, no claim history of any kind, great credit, both over ......., and Markel was the highest. Not only that, they had coverage breaks different to all the others and the dude I talked to on the phone really wasn't confidence inspiring nor one you just wanted to give your money to.

This was really surprising due to the MOA endorsement and all the Hoopla by MOA touting this company.

In any event, Progressive was my answer. Not the cheapest, but the best overall coverage for the money.

Don't , mention the TRACK word to them though.

[osbornk]

As an aside it is a real shame that Markel is continuing to mislead our members that there is such a thing as "BMW MOA Insurance".

That perception is 100% opposite of what the board approved a few years ago and I am disappointed that it is allowed to continue.

The insurance is "BMW MOA Endorsed Insurance". I think it's like with NASCAR having "The official "product" of NASCAR". I'll bet the MOA gets money for the endorsement. AARP is the worst. Thery sell their name to many different kinds of insurance.

[535is]

AARP is the worst. Thery sell their name to many different kinds of insurance.
One of whom came up with the lowest coverage for my small fleet of cages, beating even Progressive. Last time I checked, there was no 'track' exclusion, only a 'competition' one. As a BMW CCA driving instructor, this one matters to me. FWIW, 'CCA has always been scrupulous about prohibiting any kind of timing at track events (other than club racing or solo) because they are intended to be truly educational. Most insurance companies recognize that.

Since the RS is unlikely to see any track time, Progressive covers it.

[Rob Nye]

The insurance is "BMW MOA Endorsed Insurance". I think it's like with NASCAR having "The official "product" of NASCAR". I'll bet the MOA gets money for the endorsement. AARP is the worst. Thery sell their name to many different kinds of insurance.

There is a give back, I was on the board when it was presented.

The thing is there is absolutely no change in your rate if you go to the page www.bmwmoainsurance.com (if that URL name doesn't mislead what does?) or markel.com

During the time between proposal and discussion I went on line and did my best to qet apples to apples quotes on a BMWKLT from the "BMW MOA" insurance and the "Markel" or priceline brand. Rates were identical.

Did the same with a Goldwing with similar results.

The www.bmwmoainsurance.com address goes to a page that has been updeated and is much, much better at clarifying that the BMW MOA proper is not offering insurance or collecting premiums for same.

What I disagreed with at the time and still don't like is the fact that there is nothing about this that is a true member benefit, it is a revenue stream for Markel. I don't recall if there is a percentage of revenue arrangement or if it is just a hefty discount on the various insurance needs of the MOA proper (office, D&O, Rally, etc) but there is no change / discount in what you pay due to this "benefit".

Plus it isn't even available to every member as it is not offered in every state, not to mention Canada or Mexico.

Compare this to the Med Jet program where members save money on a service that can be a lifesaver. My doctor was just insured riding a bike in South America; eight broken ribs, collarbone, collapsed lung and compound fracture in his wrist. Without MedJet his flight home would have been $70,000 pay before you board please.

While it didn't always work out as planned (Super 8 discount program for ex) it used to be that any affinity program was put in place to save the member money, not save (or make) the organization money. I see a big difference between the two. It ties into being a volunteer organization, our "brand" was built off the efforts and labor of hundreds of dedicated volunteers; now for profit entities want to associate with the brand to their, not your benefit.

That should never be allowed to happen.

[WildBlue]

./foldered

and eye opening at that.

[YELLOW_S]

I think Farmers does cover track days... But there is NO REASON what so EVER that you should crash at a track day. Its not a race... All you are doing is taking your bike around the track... Not racing...

[Mongo]

All I can say is Markel was great to me in my at fault accident. I had a check for $8500.00 in hand 2 weeks after my estimate was submitted by the dealer. My renewal only went up $50.00 to 440.00/yr with a $250.00 deductible and complete coverage including towing and $5,000 accessory rider! Good luck beating that with an at-fault accident on your record. I stand by my statement, you never know an insurance company until you file a claim.

[rvbeemer]

Dairyland has done me good!

[Ted]

Got to agree with Rob on this one, and will echo that my concerns sent to the proper folks when this first began have also been seemingly unanswered.

There is a big difference between "BMW MOA Endorsed" and such language as "BMW MOA Motorcycle Insurance Expert" and the registration by and ownership and use of "BMWMOAInsurance.com" by Markel.

In my somewhat trained and experienced eyes it is deceptive and gives rights to the use of the name and logo that go far beyond any normal licensing deal.

[mrich12000]

Dito. as for the Canadian side I use Primmum and have a great reduction in my preems as a senior rider.:ca :usa :wave

[119113]

... But there is NO REASON what so EVER that you should crash at a track day. Its not a race... All you are doing is taking your bike around the track... Not racing...

The value of riding on a track is the ability to push your bike and yourself to their respective limits (recognizing that among the BMW crowd, most bikes will out perform their riders). I believe knowing the limits of your bike's performance while you are riding it has value in the real world. Also, learning about body position, racing lines and brake/throttle/clutch control also translates to safer riding on the street. The track is the one safe environment where riders can test the limits of their bike and themselves. However, this approach may have consequences.

peterh

[Bobmws]

My '03 K12RS was totaled by a HD rider that had Markel/Bikeline. It took a full 2 weeks for them to contact me after I had placed 3 calls to their office.
I turned the claim over to my Progressive insurance policy and had a check in 3 days. It was a month until Markel issued me a check, which was turned in to Progressive less my deductable.
This example of their level of customer service will keep me from using them at any cost.
MOA should not be endorsing this company in any way.

[JK]

Dairyland has done me good!

Ditto on Dairyland's price; 20+ years w/o a claim. :deal

J.K. :wow

[SIBUD]

All I can say is Markel was great to me in my at fault accident. I had a check for $8500.00 in hand 2 weeks after my estimate was submitted by the dealer. My renewal only went up $50.00 to 440.00/yr with a $250.00 deductible and complete coverage including towing and $5,000 accessory rider! Good luck beating that with an at-fault accident on your record. I stand by my statement, you never know an insurance company until you file a claim.


No problem beating that. Progressive. At fault, single vehicle (my bike), happened on Monday, on Thursday I had a check for the bike, additional for accessories and helmet. Rates went up less than $50.

[Mongo]

No problem beating that. Progressive. At fault, single vehicle (my bike), happened on Monday, on Thursday I had a check for the bike, additional for accessories and helmet. Rates went up less than $50.

Progressive wanted 750.00 for a year's insurance on my ride and that was before my accident. I guess it depends on where you are.