You take your Mustang to the local drag strip on a Friday night for “Test & Tune.” It’s not a bracket race; you are just running against the clock. You lose control and hit the concrete wall. You think, “It wasn’t a race.” Your insurer thinks, “You were on a drag strip.”
Key Takeaways
- Drag Racing is “Competition”: Most insurers view any activity on a drag strip as competition because the nature of the facility is purely for acceleration contests.
- Hagerty/OpenTrack Limitations: Many road-course focused policies specifically exclude drag strips. They view the risk profile (explosive starts, concrete walls) as different from road racing.
- Specialty Drag Insurance: There are specific policies for drag racing (e.g., CRC, DragWrap) that cover the car in the staging lanes and on the strip.
- “Timed Event” Rule: Drag racing is inherently timed. This triggers the “Timed Event” exclusion in almost every standard policy.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Venue
A road course has runoff areas. A drag strip has concrete walls 20 feet from your door. The damage severity is higher.
The Clause:
“Excludes coverage for any vehicle while on a drag strip, staging lane, or shutdown area.”
The Investigation: Who covers Friday Night Drags?
I called around to find coverage for a 9-second street car.
Hagerty Track Day
- Response: “Our HPDE product is for road courses. We do not cover drag strip runs under that policy.”
RLI / Lockton
- Response: Generally exclude drag racing.
The Solution: Drag Racing Specialists
Companies like Hagerty (Specialty Drag Program) or niche brokers offer:
- Off-Track Coverage: Covers the car in the pits/trailer (very important for drag cars).
- On-Track Coverage: Expensive and requires a strict roll cage/safety inspection.
Comparison Table: Drag Coverage
| Activity | Standard Track Policy | Drag Specialty Policy |
| Road Course HPDE | Covered | N/A |
| Test & Tune (Solo) | Excluded | Covered |
| Bracket Racing | Excluded | Covered |
| Pits/Staging | Varies | Covered |
[IMAGE: Photo of a car doing a burnout with a “Coverage Denied” stamp overlay]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t assume HPDE coverage applies: If you buy an “Annual Track Policy,” check the fine print for “Drag Strip.” It is likely excluded.
- Buy a Drag-Specific Policy: Search for “Drag Racing Insurance.” It exists but is niche.
- Safety Gear: Since insurance is hard to get, invest in the best HANS device and cage. Drag crashes are violent.
FAQ
Is it “Racing” if I’m the only one in the lane?
Yes. You are racing the clock. The exclusion applies.
What if I crash in the burnout box?
Still part of the “racing surface/facility.” Denied.