Track Day Repatriation Insurance

Overseas Motorbike Trackdays

We believe that everyone with a motorbike should take it on a track day at some point. Not only is it one of the best experiences you'll have on a bike, it's also a great self-improvement experience with the advantage of learning your limits and what your bike is capable of, in a safer environment where you can push things that little bit harder... You'll soon realise that the bike is rarely the limiting factor, it comes down to your skills (or lack of) as a rider.

However, once you've had a few days on UK circuits, there's every chance you will catch the track day bug and start looking at Euro trackdays; where the sun almost always shines and you can spend three-days learning the same circuit and honing your skills. Plus of course it's a mini-holiday with like-minded bikers, where you can talk all evening about how your CBR600 miraculously did 180mph down the back straight over some tapas and sangria.

Whilst track days aren't necessarily dangerous with a capital D, they are higher risk than your typical holiday activities, like snorkelling or beach volleyball. So, if you're going on an overseas track day event, then you will most definitely need what's known as Repatriation or 'Repat' Insurance - in case you end up in hospital or unable to get home after an accident on track.

So what is Track Day Repatriation Insurance?

Track Day Repat Insurance

The use of your bike on track is typically excluded from normal Travel Insurance policies as a 'Hazardous' or 'Dangerous' activity, likewise you can't rely on being treated for free at the expense of the host nations tax-payers (don't entirely rely on an EHIC or GHIC card, they are not intended to underwrite adrenaline sports). So if you don't have the right cover and you come off on the track, you may get stuck with some hefty hospital bills... Or worse, unable to come home on a normal flight without medical evacuation.

Useful things to know about this Repat Insurance:

1. Repat Insurance is a 'top up' in addition to your general travel insurance, which provides cover whilst your on track but nothing else (the bit your normal travel policy likely excludes) - It enables you to ride on track with cover up to £250,000 towards emergency medical costs and up to £100,000 for emergency repatriation costs in the event of an accident.
2. You can upgrade Repat to include amateur racing for an additional premium (you will need this if there is ANY timed element to your track day). Sorry no professional racing.
3. It's also a good idea to purchase your 'normal' travel insurance As Soon As You Book (ASAB), in the words of Martin Lewis, as it's likely to include cancellation benefits if you need to call off your trip, plus you cannot buy proper Travel Insurance once you've left the UK - it must cover the whole duration of your trip and be set up before you travel.
4. The majority of circuits or Track Day Organisers (TDO) won't let you on track without proof of medical and repatriation cover in place, so if you forget to buy it in advance, you may not be allowed on track at all or you might be forced to buy a local policy that doesn't fully cover your needs.
5. repat Insurance is a one-off single event, so you will need to buy a policy for each track day trip.

There are some important conditions to be aware of, including but not limited to:

• You must be a UK resident and be travelling from and back to the UK
• You need to select the appropriate activity, e.g. is it a non-competitive track day or does it include any amateur racing (no pro racing allowed)?
• You need to have the appropriate UK licence for the class of bike you are riding (or an ACU race licence)
• You need to wear the right safety gear (the approved types of 'motorcycle apparel')
• You need to call the emergency assistance line at the earliest opportunity to notify the insurer and get support if you end up in hospital

There are some notable exclusions as well:

• There is NO cover medical costs incurred at private hospitals.
• There is NO cover for lump sum pay outs to you for accidental injury or death on track (you may be able to add a separate personal injury cover).
• There is NO cover for third party liability when riding on track - In other words it won't pay someone else for any injury or damage to their property that you might cause (everyone signs a disclaimer to say they are doing the track day at their own risk anyway).
• There is NO cover any damage to your bike (although you can buy Track Day Bike Damage Insurance).

You may also want to read our more detailed guide to What is Track Day Repatriation Insurance.

Always check the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for travel advice on the country you are travelling to. You will NOT be covered for claims arising from non-essential trips like track days if you travel against FCO advice.

When riding in Europe (EEA Countries)

The European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC) or it's newer Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is issued FREE of charge and allows anyone who is covered by a statutory social security scheme of an EEA country to receive medical treatment in another member state free or at a reduced cost, if that treatment becomes necessary during their visit.

An EHIC/GHIC card may be rejected for track injuries (not what it is intended for) and does NOT cover repatriation!

You should definitely take an EHIC/GHIC card though and carry it at all times, as you may fall ill whilst abroad and need to rely upon it, however there's a good chance they won't accept one of these cards for track day injuries. Repat Insurance is intended to compliment the EHIC/GHIC card by providing additional emergency medical costs for valid claims, but additionally provides up to £100,000 repatriation cover, where medically necessary and subject to the assistance companies approval.

IMPORTANT: This policy does NOT cover medical costs incurred at private hospitals (unless approved by the insurer first). Always call the emergency assistance line at the earliest opportunity to notify the insurer and get support from their assistance company.

Cover from a brand you can trust...

Don't just take our work for it. Not only do 98% of customers recommend BeMoto on TrustPilot, we also work in partnership with a number of well known track day partners, including:

• Properly Protected
• No Limits Track Days
• Trackday Addicts
• Classic Bike Track Days

Other Track Day Insurance Products

We offer a variety of insurance products for bike enthusiasts whether your bike is for road, dirt or track. In addition to Motorbike Insurance and Multi Bike Insurance, we offer the following products designed for track day riders and amateur racers:

• Track Day Bike Damage Insurance for UK and European Tracks
• Track Bike Fire & Theft Insurance for bikes that are secured in a locked building with no V5 required for race bikes (optional 'In Transit' cover available)
• Race Van Insurance for bikers who have a dedicated social use van for transporting their bikes and/or sleeping at the circuit (no commercial use)
• Personal Injury Cover with tax-free lump sums for injuries to track day riders and amateur racers (no cover for professional racing)

Track Day Tips

If you’ve booked your place, you’ve done a couple of track days before but the nerves are kicking in... Don’t fret, here are Seven Motorcycle Track Day Tips you may not have heard of before from a seasoned track day goer.

Alternatively check out the following Euro Bike Track Days feature.