Insurance on RBRR

[Nick Jones]

I'm sure I've seen something on this before but can't find it now:

Does this event need any 'special insurance' or should I be notifying my insurer? (not always a good idea  :-/)

I ask as my Equity Redstar policy (via Richardson Hosken) has the following among the exclusions

" The policy does not cover ......racing, pacemaking, use in any contest, reliabilty or speed trial......."

Now I know it's not a race, pacemaking, contest or speed trial but the word 'reliabilty' does appear so if I ask them and tell them the title of the event, they'll probably just say no...... rightly or wrongly!

I have to ring them anyway to buy some more miles but I don't want to open a can of worms if I don't have to!

I seem to remember someone came up with a great, non-threatening sounding description of the RBRR for use with insurance companies....

Advice please....... (must be relevent to most others as well I guess?)

Thanks

Nick

[taxijack]

How about a round Britain Tour, surely that  would satisfy the insurance companies?

[AlanChatterton]

I have never informed my insurance company. After all, my wife and I are taking a drive round the country with some like minded friends. Its not a race, its just a drive.

I have the idea that if they were to actually know, no doubt they would say we are not covered!!!!!

[Tim Bancroft]

Nick,

I have contacted my Insurers to inform them that I am taking part in the event. I emphasise that the event is not competitive and not timed, they never seem that bothered.  

I have never seen the word 'Reliability' before mentioned on a Insurance document, Umm interesting.

I will discuss this at the Drivers Meeting.

[Greeks]

Reliabilities over here are actually race-track events - you set a nominated lap time and then you have to get as close to that as possible over the next x laps. Sounds like a good idea actually, my local club does them - nothing other than a helmet required. I'm guessing this might be what they're talking about.

Maybe the RBRR should change its name to something more politically savvy ... the Round Britain Dependability Event although you might want to get the word Charity in there too  ;)

[Tim Bancroft]

Woul;d seem a shame to change the name, however it might be necessary.

Probably best to go to 'Round Britain Run'.

[Jason]

The key here is that the RBRR is not a "contest" as in "any contest of speed, reliability...yada yada" there is NO competitive element to the RBRR. The material fact is that the Round Britain Reliability Run that, a run out to prove to yourself that your car can make a journey, a rather long journey but it's just a journey on public roads to be conducted within the laws of the land.

No insurer should impose terms on your policy and you should not have to inform them - some insurers are less competant than others when assessing the risk - the phone monkies with less than 25 mins experience may want to "refer" it - ie ask the underwriter but you should get a sensible answer - ie this is not an increased risk.

The only relevance the RBRR has on your policy is when it comes to adding drivers on and  limited mileage covers - just make sure you stay within any limits and that all drivers are added as named individuals or covered under the terms of an "any driver" certificate - age and experience wise.

Whilst a crew member may be able to legally drive under their own policy coverage, you as the vehicle owner should check. It's now quite common for the "driving other cars" cover to be limited and many policies (especially classic policies) don't have this cover at all.

If you're in any doubt speak to your provider but don't call it a rally, competition, trial, contest or any other such emotive word because it's none of those! The risk on the RBRR is just a normal road risk for which your policy was designed - it's what you paid for when you took the policy out.

[ferny]

Surely sharing 2000 miles in 48 hours between two drivers increases your risk of having a bang!

With regards to name changes, how about "Round Britain Jolly"? ;)

[cook1e]

I spoke with my insurers (Peter D James) face to face regarding the RBRR as they had a stand at the TSSC international last month. They had no problems and just said "enjoy the run!" ;)

[Jason]

ferny wrote:

Surely sharing 2000 miles in 48 hours between two drivers increases your risk of having a bang!

and if insurance policies were written on an individual risk basis then that would be highly relevant BUT they aren't :-) They are written on a statistical basis, it's the nature of insurance - I mean you might get one nutter in a 3 year old yellow Nissan Micra who causes many accidents but statistically that's one of the least likely cars to be involved in an accident and consequently it's cheap to insure. however because the statistical differences between colours and individual car makes are slight they get lost in the overall insurance groupings - it's a real broad brush business.

[Nick Jones]

Thanks to all for info/comments.  I shall purchase the extra miles and leave it at that!  Co-driver is on as a named driver.

Cheers

Nick