Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Now that I have a wife and 2 kids, and will be running a sprint car next year, just wanted to know on what I should do about insurance? Is track insurance enough? Can I buy more somewhere if needed?


thanks for any help

Bill Griffith

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Im not sure if USAC offers a plan but I do know Members if injured in a event have pretty damn good insurance. Might want to check into it. There are also other plans some other drivers might have and you might enquire directly with them.

If it was me, I'd surely not rely on *TRACK INSURANCE*

Chuck, saying some have good and some have none as far as participants.

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Bill, this has been quite a while back but, when i bought life insurance back when i was driving, part of the deal was no race cars, sky diving etc. however, the agent told me (and i was able to confirm it) that after two years of paying into the policy, they would pay up even if i "bought the farm" while participating in one of the forbidden sports/hobbies. i didn't tell him i was currently driving a race car but asked him "what if i would drive a race car in the future and get killed?" i don't know if it is the same today, or not. i would definitely ask in a hypothetical, "WHAT IF i was to drive a race car in the future?" way, before paying into a policy.

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Talk to the Rice's, they can guide you as to what you need, and don't need. www.stida.com
They have been doing this a long time, and know their field well!

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

I would suggest talking to the track or tracks you will be racing most often. Ask them what type of coverage they have and how claims are processed. Most often a tracks coverage is secondary to your health/medical plan. The one thing you need to ask is how they handle a claim. The track must fill out paperwork and submit it for your claim to be paid. Most fill out forms for just darn near everything, whether they submit them or not, so it is on file. Some do not want paperwork sent to their carrier due to the increase in insurance if a claim is processed and paid. If possible, talk to someone who has had a prior claim with the track/promotor and find out how it worked out for them. ALL drivers should do this BEFORE they sign in and get into a car. The last thing you want to do is find out after the fact how they handle things. I agree with Crankin. Talk to the Rices for additional coverage if you feel you need it.

Good Luck!

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

this is one area that needs better attention paid to it. I feel each track should have to post their ins limits at the sign in booth. When you run with a sanctioning body , they should provide , or require the tracks to have, a set amount and again post it. A driver injured @ Paducah this past year had bills over $45,000 , including an air transport ride that cost $30,100 alone , and the track had $25,000 of secondary insurance. The reason the sanctioning bodies and tracks don't carry more, they would have to raise signin fees but spread over the number of people signing in that increase should only be around $5 each. I would gladly pay the extra and know we are covered for more than $25,000. USAC,MSCS and other organizations should monitor this area, along with track promoters, to make sure there more than $25,000. How much more ? that's another question. Thanks for the STIDA web site , i have printed out an application !!

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Cecil is right on life insurance...after 2 years, it doesn't matter how it happens. But if the insurance co. can prove that you lied from the get go, then they can still avoid payment. Mine was $20 extra per month with admitting that I drive race cars. Better to be safe than sorry. As for health ins....NEVER rely on the tracks deal. Purchasing add'l ins. through STIDA or another carrier is always a good idea IMO.

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

the STIDA information is good to know! i'm going to look into getting a policy for Brad through them. Thanks Crankin!

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Ask Billy Puterbaugh how good some of the local track insurance is, also I suggest not signing a release until you get back to the trailer and have a chance to collect yourself, there is one track that has the form out before you stop crashing. Crankin's advice is the best you can get right now, racefanx2 also has a good idea but I would ask if you could have it in writing.

Jerry #66j
www.joshspencer.com

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Jerry you noticed the track that has the form out before they are done crashing to I could not believe that they did something like this that quick think they would like to know if the driver is really okay first.

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

If anyone has any questions about our organization please feel free to pm here, contact us through our website at www.stida.com or call toll free at 800-378-4608. We have been in business for over 10 years now and gear toward the local racer. Over the years we have tried to keep the price as low as possible to make it affordable for everyone but by doing that it leaves hardly any money to advertise and promote except by word of mouth. We will be at the Chili Bowl this year for the first time and hope to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

STIDA

The Rice Family

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

This is a good idea, I have had to fight with the track insurance more than once over the years.

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

HEY!! You forgot to mention that you'll be at the Hoosier Racers Swap Meet & Trade Show too!!! Which btw is January 26th, 2008 @ the Indiana State Fairgrounds.. In case anyone didn't know :applaud:

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

What you sayin i crash a alot. Only one crash this year. And still didnt have to have it clipped. But i would suggest STIDA. robbie has been trying to get me to do it for years. and the stories that i hear are nothing but good. if you want to ask someone ask Jack Hewitt.

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

HOSS and Auto Value, both have a membership fee that includes supplimental insurance beyond the track and std coverage. which is good since both groups have lost drivers in the last 2 years.

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Thanks Crankin forgot to mention that...we will be at the Trade Show on the 26th.....and Mr. Puterbaugh is right about Jack Hewitt he has been a long time supporter, along with Dave Steele, Levi Jones and as i recall even John Wolfe for many years. Also wanted to mention that this is not just for Drivers. If you are a crew member, car owner or even just a fan it is available to you. Have heard of some very unfortunate accidents over the past few years involving pit area accidents and even parts and broken bleachers in the stands.

HAPPY New Years to All
Looking forward to the Chili Bowl.

STIDA

The Rice Family

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Tracks in most cases do no provide insurance... and it's always a good idea to cover yourself first then use track insurance (if any) as a secondary coverage. I have a policy through Anthem that covers me no matter what i'm racing (dirt pavement big track small track doesn't matter). I'm not sure the total amount of coverage but it's covers life, injury and liability. We had to have a special policy to cover racing because of the volume of races we run. If you call yourself a hobby racer i think you can just get a writer on your current nonracing policy that will do what your looking for without too much expense. I think my policy run about $250 a month or so. hope this helps...

kevin studley

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Come on Billy listen slowly, I thought you had some problems with a area race track because of a release form. The form should be shown to the driver after he (she) has gotten back to his (her) pit and had a chance to regain some sense of calm, if you hand a release form to a driver that has just destroyed his (her) best friend (the race car) they are still pumped with adrenaline and more than likely willing to do anything to get back to the trailer to try and fix the car, after the rush wears off and he (she) starts to feel things a little clearer it is too late because of the form he (she) signed. I never meant that you crashed a lot I was just going on your past deal as an example. The crews also do a good job I just think if they are going to have you sign the form the driver should have a few min. to sort his or her head out.:respect:

Jerry #66j
www.joshspencer.com

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

thank you all for the great info. I will be calling the rice's to see what they can do for me. I am covered under life insurance. As I made sure of that. I think It cost like 10 extra dollars a months, but I did get it in writing and had my lawyer look at it. Thanks again for all the information!

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Something else you can do is always buy your saftey equipment first then buy for the car. Stay safe and have a great year. :respect:

Jerry #66j
www.joshspencer.com

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Forgot to mention that it is $425.00 a year so about $35.00 a month...starting on February 1 and running through January 31st. Check out the website www.stida.com let us know if you have any questions.

STIDA

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

Just to make a point here about how important good, full insurance can be:
Today's mail included a hospital bill for Grandma Kim's surgery four weeks ago (no, Danny Burton did not hold this mail up like he does people's Sprint Car and Midget magazine :emote20:). Kim walked into the hospital for scheduled surgery and walked out six days later -- no ambulance, or air-evac, or emergency room. The bill: $269,275.00 :eek: Yes, I typed it right: over a quarter-mil for the hospital. By the time we get the bottom line, including the surgeon (who spent more than 11 hours putting 2 metal rods, 10 screws, and 5 things he called "cages" in and adjacent to her spine), and the back brace, and the $5000+ electric gadget which is supposed to promote healing for the 5 vertebrae to which all this hardware is now attached, we are guessing in the $300,000 neighborhood. Without the insurance we have, it would have been a financial disaster for us.
And she will be able to attend the Chili Bowl! Just imagine what bills could be run up by a patient with truly traumatic injuries.
Anyone who drives race cars needs to get additional insurance.

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

I was gonna say, 25 grand is a drop in the bucket these days. Youd need that for a fender bender.

Anything less than half a mill is just asking for you to pay 20 percent of anything you make for the rest of your life.

Chuck

Re: Sprint car Driver's Health Insurance
 

When I started racing, I got myself a new life insurance policy that covered racing (as well as scuba diving and piloting small craft). It was also like $20-$30 more a month for way more than my wife would need. I agree that it was better to just pony up, rather than leave my wife with a possible financial burden.