Spring Mountain insurance
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 138
Likes: 39
Spring Mountain insurance
Just wondering. We are booked to go to Spring Mtn. in October. My contact told me about insurance that can be purchased for two hundred dollars to cover car damage should you have an accident on the track. Has anyone chose to take the insurance and if you did buy it did you think it was necessary? Some of you mention a tip for the instructor. Is that expected and how much?
thanks
thanks
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 624
Likes: 91
From: Dewitt New York
I did not buy insurance, and after taking the course, I do not think it was necessary for me. I think it depends upon your risk tolerance, and the level of driving you anticipate. I'm an old slow guy who follows the rules, and found that there was never a time when I was even close to an off course excursion. Now, if your more aggressive, that may change the game, but not for me.
Tips are definitely not expected, or even mentioned when I took the course, so I guess let your conscience be your guide
Ken
Tips are definitely not expected, or even mentioned when I took the course, so I guess let your conscience be your guide
Ken
Last edited by probono; Jun 16, 2016 at 08:58 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 60
From: Whitman Ma
I was just there this past Sunday Monday and I did take the option, mostly because I didn't trust myself enough. After I was done I realized I would have been fine without it. The instructors did such a phenomenal job that my confidence was very high when it came time to "test the limits".
Like any insurance, it's mostly for your peace of mind, in case something happens.
As for tipping, they mentioned right away at intro that tips are NOT Expected (they really highlight this) but they are definitely appreciated if you wish to provide them.
I tipped $200 ($20 for each of the 10 instructors) because in my opinion, they went well above and beyond to help me refine techniques and answer a lot of questions.
With their extra input I was able to run my final lap at very close to the speeds and time that they ran during my ride along (based on comparing the PDR recordings)
Like any insurance, it's mostly for your peace of mind, in case something happens.
As for tipping, they mentioned right away at intro that tips are NOT Expected (they really highlight this) but they are definitely appreciated if you wish to provide them.
I tipped $200 ($20 for each of the 10 instructors) because in my opinion, they went well above and beyond to help me refine techniques and answer a lot of questions.
With their extra input I was able to run my final lap at very close to the speeds and time that they ran during my ride along (based on comparing the PDR recordings)
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 1,059
From: Between Boston and the cape
I went this past February. I didn't get insurance. There isn't much to hit even if you went off course. It's lead follow and instructors make sure you are driving at or under your skill level.I left $100 for a tip.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,904
Likes: 315
From: Cedar Falls Iowa
Drove it like I stole it without the extra insurance. Somehow didn't crash. Your limit is $8k and I think $200 takes it down to $2k. If you go off roading, I think you'd have to screw up bad to do any damage other than embarrass yourself. Maybe a few rock chips.
I tipped $75. I assume from the initial cost nobody is starving, so I didn't see the need to tip a crazy amount.
I tipped $75. I assume from the initial cost nobody is starving, so I didn't see the need to tip a crazy amount.
Dazed Confused & Verklemp
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 109
From: Naples, FL & Clear Lake, IA
I was there with D.D. When I signed in, the girl handling my information told me that she couldn't remember anyone having an incident that would have applied to the insurance. She recalled a couple claims around $300. and one just over $500. About the only thing that can damage a car that goes off-roading would be brush or rocks that could scratch the paint.
Since you follow an instructor in the base course, you shouldn't go off-road unless you go to sleep following some of the really slow participants!
Since you follow an instructor in the base course, you shouldn't go off-road unless you go to sleep following some of the really slow participants!
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
A very long time ago, I remember a late-teen student at Bondurant going off course twice, once in the Mustang and once in the open-wheel car. At Sonoma. The first time, he paid a little less than 1K. The second time, IIRC it was about 5K. Walked away easily both times. He was very calm, pulled out his checkbook and wrote the checks. Very nice kid, not a real hotdog; just there to learn. There was no insurance then at the track. Times and tracks are different.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 780
Likes: 94
From: Pittsburgh PA
I didn't get insurance and spun out car off of track into rocks. They made a lot of noise bouncing off bottom of the car and while I was sitting there I wished I had gotten the extra insurance. No damage however. On the gas, kickin ***; ***** happens.
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 332
Likes: 63
From: Omaha Ne
Just wondering. We are booked to go to Spring Mtn. in October. My contact told me about insurance that can be purchased for two hundred dollars to cover car damage should you have an accident on the track. Has anyone chose to take the insurance and if you did buy it did you think it was necessary? Some of you mention a tip for the instructor. Is that expected and how much?
thanks
thanks
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 34,551
Likes: 505
From: Auburn Hills MI
No insurance.
You REALLY have to screw up to do 2K worth of damage. You never really are near enough to other cars(or should not be) for contact to be a problem.
I think we tipped 400 but that was with 2 of us there.
You REALLY have to screw up to do 2K worth of damage. You never really are near enough to other cars(or should not be) for contact to be a problem.
I think we tipped 400 but that was with 2 of us there.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 308
Likes: 62
From: Broadview Hts Ohio
No insurance needed and the instructors become keen to your driving abilities very early on watch over you. We drove day one on a wet, rainy track with no issues.
Tips are not solicited, but after spending two days with them, you will see how they go over and above to assist and teach.
Tips are not solicited, but after spending two days with them, you will see how they go over and above to assist and teach.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 254
Likes: 80
From: Livermore CA
I've opted for the insurance at all the driving schools I've done. Having to cover an $8k deductible is much harder for me than $2k, so was worth the cost of the insurance for me. The real issue is hitting a wall (or another car), as parts start adding-up fast at that point. I never felt at risk of needing the insurance, but I felt it was nice to have in case something unexpected happened. When I was at Bondurant one gentleman lost it on the last corner, of the last lap, of the last session... did damage to the front and rear of a C6 GS, so would have easily been over the $2k.
That said, I don't purchase supplemental track day insurance when I drive my car at HPDE events. Biggest reason for this is I have a choice afterwards to fix the car or not, which isn't the case at a driving school... is the lightly damaged front bumper worth the $1400 to replace/repaint, or is the piece of track tape good enough?
That said, I don't purchase supplemental track day insurance when I drive my car at HPDE events. Biggest reason for this is I have a choice afterwards to fix the car or not, which isn't the case at a driving school... is the lightly damaged front bumper worth the $1400 to replace/repaint, or is the piece of track tape good enough?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 279
From: Dallas TX
Unless you drive with your eyes closed, you will not need the insurance. I say that, because I think a couple of the attendees when I was there were driving with at least partially closed eyes and even they didn't go off-roading.
Seriously, the track is very forgiving, and the instructors manage the driving sessions in a very professional and controlled manner. The chances of you going off is very minimal. The chances of you going off and doing more than $2k of damage are extremely unlikely.
Seriously, the track is very forgiving, and the instructors manage the driving sessions in a very professional and controlled manner. The chances of you going off is very minimal. The chances of you going off and doing more than $2k of damage are extremely unlikely.