Is my car or motorbike insured on a track day in Germany?
In short
Usually not. German comprehensive cover (Vollkasko) normally excludes any driving on a race track, for a car as well as a motorbike. Your own vehicle is only insured on a track day in Germany if you buy track day cover for that day. As a guide value it costs about 1 percent of the vehicle value per day, plus a high excess.
Published figures for track day policies, as of October 2026.
Example
Typical range
Entry level cover, low value car, one day (UK market)
from about GBP 60 per day
Rule of thumb of most insurers (UK market)
about 1 percent of the car value per day
Sports car worth EUR 60,000, one day in Germany
about EUR 400 to 900
Daily premiums are hardly published in Germany.
UK comparison sites quote about 1 percent of the vehicle value per day;
the German figure is a guide value from quoting practice.
The premium depends on circuit, vehicle value and excess.
Worked example
Sports car worth EUR 60,000, one day at Hockenheim
The day with and without track day cover.
Track day cover, about 1 percent
about EUR 600
Excess
about EUR 3,000
Damage after going into the gravel
EUR 18,000
With track day cover you pay the EUR 3,000 excess plus about EUR 600 premium; without it the full EUR 18,000, because your normal Vollkasko does not pay.
Why comprehensive cover does not pay on the track
Many German comprehensive policies (Kasko) contain two exclusions: events where top speed matters, and any driving on a motorsport circuit. The second one also applies to open pit lane sessions without timing.
In 2014 the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe (OLG Karlsruhe, 12 U 149/13) upheld such an exclusion. A Porsche had hit the barrier during an open session on the Nordschleife, and the comprehensive insurer did not have to pay for the car.
Damage on a track day
Normal motor insurance
What helps
Your own car or motorbike
usually no cover
track day cover for the day
Another participant's vehicle
often excluded
organiser's insurance under section 5d PflVG
Barriers and track equipment
often excluded
organiser's insurance, otherwise you pay
Your own injury
no motor benefit
personal accident cover without a circuit exclusion
Liability: who pays for damage to others
Under section 4 no. 4 of the German Motor Insurance Regulation (KfzPflVV) motor liability may exclude motorsport events and activities in a closed off area, provided insurance under section 5d of the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG) is in place.
That insurance must protect third parties including spectators with at least EUR 7.5 million for injury and EUR 1.3 million for property damage. It may exclude claims of the participating driver for his own injury and for the vehicle he drives. Ask the track day organiser in writing which cover applies.
How track day cover works
Track day cover applies to one day or a few days and a named circuit. It pays for accident damage to your own car or bike, often fire too. Many policies use an agreed value and an excess that can reach several thousand euros.
Wear and tear, tyres, brakes and engine failure are not covered. Timed races need separate motorsport insurance.
When you can skip track day cover
If you take a cheap second car or an old bike to the circuit and could bear a total loss yourself, track day cover at 1 percent of the value plus a high excess is hard to justify.
With an expensive sports car, or a car on finance or lease, it is essential, because the bank or leasing company will otherwise claim the loss from you.
Step by step
Look for the circuit exclusion in your Kasko terms.
Ask the organiser in writing about third party cover.
Request track day cover for date, circuit and vehicle value.
Check the excess and exclusions such as timed events.
Check your personal accident policy for a circuit exclusion.
Checklist
Circuit exclusion in your Kasko read
Organiser's third party cover confirmed
Track day cover for date and circuit bought
Excess known and affordable
Bank or leasing company informed
Common mistakes
Assuming Vollkasko covers the circuit
Treating an untimed open session as insured
Taking a leased car on track without cover
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Is my motorbike insured at a race track training day?
Usually not under the normal policy, not even fully comprehensive.
Single day track policies for motorbikes exist.
Does motor liability pay if I hit another car on track?
Often not, as it may exclude motorsport in closed off areas.
The organiser's insurance under section 5d PflVG then covers third parties.
What does track day insurance cost?
As a guide value about 1 percent of the vehicle value per day, less for cheap cars,
plus an excess of often several thousand euros.
Am I covered on Nordschleife tourist laps?
For damage to your own car usually not,
because many Kasko terms exclude any driving on a race circuit.
