Motorsports Racetrack Insurance Policy Information

Motorsports Racetrack Insurance. Race tracks designed for motorsports such as auto racing, drag racing, kart racing, or motorcycle racing are permanent venues set up to facilitate exciting competitions of amateur or professional races.
Motorized vehicle racetracks are designed for competitive races featuring cars (Indy, Formula, or stock), motorcycles, or trucks (including "monster trucks") that can run over 200 mph. The racetrack may be open-air or covered.
Seating is generally stadium-style or in bleachers, although some permit visitors to stand directly outside the track perimeter. A stage may be added to the field to accommodate concerts or speakers.
Often private box seating or suites are available which can be leased to individuals or corporations. Racetracks usually have gift shops, locker rooms for drivers, private meeting rooms, restaurants, and snack bars. Liquor may be sold during events. Racetracks can often hold tens of thousands of patrons.
While increased awareness of health and safety measures has rendered motorized race tracks much safer than they once were in modern times, race tracks continue to face hazards inherent to their industry.
That is why it is essential for these facilities to scrutinize their insurance needs more closely than some other businesses. What kinds of Motorsports racetrack insurance coverage will protect against serious perils, however? You will find answers in this brief guide.
Motorsports racetrack insurance protects your racing facility from lawsuits with rates as low as $97/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked motorsports racetrack insurance questions:
- What Is Motorsports Racetrack Insurance?
- How Much Does Motorsports Racetrack Insurance Cost?
- Why Do Motorsports Racetracks Need Insurance?
- What Type Of Insurance Do Motorsports Racetracks Need?
- What Does Motorsports Racetrack Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Motorsports Racetrack Insurance?
Motorsports racetrack insurance is a type of insurance coverage designed specifically for motorsports racetracks and the events that take place on them. This insurance provides financial protection for the racetrack owner and event organizers against a wide range of potential risks, including property damage, liability claims, and other losses that may arise as a result of a motorsports event.
This insurance covers not only the physical infrastructure of the racetrack but also the vehicles, drivers, and spectators involved in the event. Additionally, motorsports racetrack insurance may include coverage for cancellations or postponements, medical expenses, and other related costs.
How Much Does Motorsports Racetrack Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for motorsports racetracks ranges from $97 to $139 per month based on location, services offered, revenue, claims history and more.
Why Do Motorsports Racetracks Need Insurance?

All businesses face both risk and uncertainty, and racetracks can fall victim to the same perils that could affect almost any commercial venture. A race track and its surrounding infrastructure could severely be damaged if it is struck by an act of nature, such as a wildfire, severe storm, or earthquake, for example.
Theft, including cyber theft, and vandalism are two more examples of common threats that can also cause significant financial harm to a race track, and as in any business, race track employees can sustain a wide variety of occupational injuries.
Race tracks also have risks unique to their field to consider. Imagine, for instance, if a racer were to become injured under circumstances that indicate the venue itself could have played a role in causing, or if a spectator were to get hurt while watching a race.
Costly lawsuits are almost inevitable in both cases. In addition, your venue is vulnerable to property damage as a direct result of the races that take place there.
Why do racetracks need to be insured? Some kinds of coverage may be mandated, of course, while others will be required by lenders. At the core, however, racetracks need to arm themselves with excellent insurance because doing so gives them peace of mind that they will not need to face the financial burden associated with major perils on their own.
In the most severe cases, your motorsports racetrack insurance choices can make the difference between bankruptcy and continued success.
What Type Of Insurance Do Motorsports Racetracks Need?
Each racetrack is unique, not just because it may be dedicated to a particular motor-racing sport or be designed to facilitate a variety of sports, but also due to other factors - such as its location, terrain, the size of its operation, the equipment it owns, and its number of employees.
These and other factors also determine the motorsports racetrack insurance policy needs. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to consult a commercial insurance broker who specializes in designing coverage for motorsports facilities and events.
With that in mind, some of the key types of insurance a motorized racetrack should carry include:
- Commercial Property: Designed to protect you from financial losses arising from property damage or loss due to perils like acts of nature, theft, and vandalism, this type of insurance is essential to any business with physical assets. It will cover your physical structure as well as outdoor assets and equipment.
- Commercial General Liability: This type of motorsports racetrack insurance coverage exists to help cover your legal costs in cases where third parties allege that they suffered physical harm on your premises in situations where you may be held responsible, or in which they allege that your business was responsible for damage to their property. It even covers allegations that your business used another's intellectual property without prior consent.
- Participant Accident: While general liability coverage is likely to take care of claims relating to vehicle damage, participant injury and accident claims require this separate form of insurance. These policies can provide coverage for legal as well as settlement fees.
- Workers' Compensation: Employees can sustain injuries in any workplace, and racetracks are no exception. Should this happen, workers comp insurance covers the employee's medical expenses, as well as any lost income as they recover.
Bear in mind that racetracks have a unique risk profile. Not only may a racetrack require additional forms of coverage not mentioned here, it may also be hard for them to find the right insurer.
Because of this, it is vital to consult a skilled and experienced commercial insurance broker to help you meet your motorsports racetrack insurance needs.
Motorsports Racetrack's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure is high due to the large numbers of visitors on premises and the strong emotions that can arise between rival fans during races. The racetrack should meet all public and life safety codes to assure guest safety.
Racing vehicles or their parts could leave the track and injure a spectator. All spectator access must be strictly limited with effective barriers restricting access to the vehicles.
Good housekeeping is critical to preventing trips, slips, and falls. Adequate lighting, marked exits, and egresses are mandatory. Steps must have handrails, be well-lighted, marked, and in good repair. Parking areas should be well maintained and free of snow and ice.
Security at events, as well as in the building, corridors, and any owned parking area, needs to be carefully checked and reviewed. There should be an evacuation plan for emergencies. Burning fuel may result in fire, smoke, fumes, and vapors spreading to neighboring properties. The racetrack may present an attractive nuisance hazard when not in use.
There must be adequate security to prevent unauthorized entry to children, vandals, or would-be terrorists. Contracts with suppliers, vendors, event planners and performers must be clear as to all responsibilities. Personal injury losses may occur due to alleged assault, discrimination, invasion of privacy, or wrongful removal.
Products liability exposure can be high if the racetrack operates the restaurants or snack bars. Employees should be trained in the proper handling of consumables to prevent foreign objects in food, food poisoning, or the spread of other transmissible diseases. Other product liability exposures can arise from gift shops. If these are contracted out, the racetrack should verify that the operators have adequate liability coverage.
Environmental impairment liability exposure is high due to the potential for contamination of air, surface or ground water, or soil from spillage or leakage of storage tanks or the collision or overturn of vehicles. All storage and disposal procedures must meet federal and state regulations.
Liquor liability exposure can be extensive. All servers must be trained in checking IDs and refusing to serve intoxicated patrons. There should be a "cut-off" time well before the end of the races to prevent visitors from excessive alcohol consumption prior to driving home.
Workers compensation exposure is high. Employees may be struck by vehicles or hit by their debris. When vehicle racing is done, hazards result from the fueling operations and other services by the pit crews. Ongoing exposure to noise levels can result in hearing impairment.
Food operations can result in cuts, scrapes, and burns. Grounds maintenance, cleaning, and general maintenance operations can result in lung, eye or skin irritations and reactions. Employees who set up, build, or transport stage settings, equipment, lighting, and scenery may be injured by cuts, puncture wounds, electrical shocks and burns, slips and falls, or back injuries, hernias, strains and sprains from lifting or working from awkward positions.
Stage and lighting setup may involve aboveground exposures that need additional protection and precautions to prevent employees from falling and from being hit by falling objects. Hawkers, peddlers, and vendors employed by the racetrack to sell wares in the stands have a high potential to falls due to limited visibility as they ascend and descend steps while carrying items to sell.
Adequate security and training must be provided to employees handling money in ticket booths, gift shops, and concession stands to reduce the possibility of injury due to holdups. Security personnel should be trained to deal with both holdups and unruly patrons.
Property exposures are very high due to the potential for fire and explosion from the fuels and lubricants used in pits and the garages. Extinguishing equipment must be easily accessible wherever there is a vehicle. Oily rags should be kept in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) approved metal containers to prevent spontaneous combustion.
Tire storage must be at a distance from the pits and any heat generating operation. If there is painting and welding, it must be conducted in controlled areas away from other operations.
Additional exposures come from the extensive electrical wiring for lighting, sound systems, and other electronic equipment. These must be in good repair and adequate for the equipment used. Event performers will often bring their own equipment that must be fitted into the electrical system provided by the racetrack. Circuit breakers and/or fuses must not be able to be overridden.
All cooking equipment in restaurants must be properly controlled. Smoking is permitted at most tracks, so disposal of cigarettes should be a major concern. Poor housekeeping, such as failure to collect and dispose of trash on a regular basis, could contribute significantly to a loss.
Racetracks may be a target for theft and vandalism. Appropriate security controls must be taken including physical barriers such as fences or gates, lighting to deter access to the premises after hours, and an alarm system that reports directly to a central station or the police department.
Business income and extra expense may be high due to the unavailability of backup facilities.
Equipment breakdown exposure may be high due to the heating and air conditioning systems, cooking equipment, electrical control panels, and lighting and sound equipment used for racing events. Breakdown and loss of use could result in a significant loss, both direct and under time element, if replacement parts are unavailable or repair time is lengthy.
Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty and money and securities. Employee dishonesty coverage should be extended to include volunteers. Background checks should be conducted on all employees and volunteers handling money. Employees who are in charge of ordering must not be the same who handle disbursements and billings. Frequent inventories and audits must be conducted for adequate monitoring.
If tickets are sold at the racetrack, a significant amount of cash may accumulate. Money should be stripped regularly from cashiers' drawers in order to prevent a large buildup of cash.
All money should be double counted, and cashiers must be held accountable for shortages. There should be a centrally located, locked cash room with a guard on hand to protect the employees and money.
Inland marine exposures are from accounts receivable if the racetrack bills customers, audio-visual equipment, computers, contractor's equipment, and valuable papers and records for contracts. Duplicates must be made of all data and kept off premises for easy restoration.
Contractors' equipment will be needed for grounds and building maintenance. Bailees customers may be needed if the racetrack is responsible for drivers' gear, equipment of the vehicle owners, or property of visiting entertainers.
Commercial auto exposure is generally limited to hired non-owned for employees running errands. If there is transportation of drivers, their crews, guests, performers, officials, or other visitors, the exposure increases.
If there are owned vehicles, they must be maintained on a regular basis with all service documented. MVRs must be ordered regularly on all drivers. If valet service is offered, garagekeepers coverage will be needed.
What Does Motorsports Racetrack Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Motorsports racetracks may face lawsuits for various reasons, including accidents, injuries to drivers or spectators, property damage, environmental damage, and contractual disputes.
Insurance can protect racetracks from financial losses resulting from such lawsuits. The following are some examples of how insurance can help pay for lawsuits against racetracks:
Accident/Injury: If a driver or spectator is injured in an accident at a racetrack, they may sue the racetrack for negligence. Insurance coverage, such as a general liability policy, can help cover the cost of legal defense and any settlement or judgment.
Property Damage: If a car or other equipment is damaged during a race, the owner may sue the racetrack for negligence. Property insurance can help pay for the damage and any associated legal costs.
Environmental Damage: If a racetrack causes environmental damage, such as oil or fuel spills, it may face lawsuits from environmental agencies or nearby property owners. Pollution liability insurance can help pay for cleanup costs and legal defense expenses.
Contractual Disputes: Racetracks may enter into contracts with sponsors, vendors, or other entities. If a dispute arises, the other party may sue for breach of contract. Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance can help pay for legal fees and any settlement or judgment.
In summary, insurance can help protect motorsports racetracks from financial losses resulting from lawsuits related to accidents, injuries, property damage, environmental damage, and contractual disputes. It is essential for racetrack owners to consult with insurance professionals to obtain the appropriate coverage for their operations.
Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification
- SIC CODE: 7948 Racing, Including Track Operation
- NAICS CODE: 711212 Racetracks
- Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9016 Amusement Park or Exhibition Operation & Drivers
Description for 7948: Racing, Including Track Operation
Division I: Services | Major Group 79: Amusement And Recreation Services | Industry Group 794: Commercial Sports
7948 Racing, Including Track Operation: Promoters and participants in racing activities, including racetrack operators, operators of racing stables, jockeys, racehorse trainers, and race car owners and operators.
- Dog racing
- Dragstrip operation
- Horses, race: training
- Horses, racing of
- Jockeys, horse racing
- Motorcycle racing
- Race car drivers and owners
- Racetrack operation: e.g. horse, dog, auto
- Racing stables, operation of
- Speedway operation
- Stock car racing
- Training racehorses
Motorsports Racetrack Insurance - The Bottom Line
To protect your racing operation, employees and spectators, having the right motorsports racetrack insurance coverage is vital. To discover what type of coverage options are available to you and how much it will cost - speak to a reputable commercial insurance agent.
Additional Resources For Arts & Recreation Insurance
Read up on small business arts and recreation commercial insurance.
- Amusement Parks
- Archery Ranges
- Artist
- Athletic Fields
- Ballparks
- Ballrooms
- Billiard And Pool Halls
- Bowling Alleys
- Carnivals
- Cave Tours
- Dance Studio
- Disc Jockey DJ
- Drive-In Theaters
- Entertainers And Performers
- Event Planning
- Fairs And Fairgrounds
- Film Production
- Fine Art
- Guides & Outfitters
- Handball & Racquetball Courts
- Horse & Dog Racetracks
- Indoor Sports Complexes
- Interior Decorator
- Interior Design
- Motorsports Racetracks
- Musicians
- Photo Booth
- Photographer
- Recording Studio
- Recreation Centers
- Riding Stables
- Roller Sakting Rinks
- Shooting Ranges
- Skateparks
- Skeet & Trap Shooting Ranges
- Ski Resorts
- Stadiums
- Talent Agency
- Tennis Centers
- Theaters
- Video Arcades
- Wedding And Special Event
- Specialty Arts And Antiques
- Specialty Clubs And Leisure Time Activities
- Specialty Entertainment

The arts and recreation industry is a vital part of our society and culture, providing entertainment and enjoyment for people of all ages. However, as with any business, there are inherent risks and potential liabilities that can arise. This is where insurance comes into play.
One of the main reasons the arts and recreation industry needs insurance is to protect against financial losses due to accidents or injuries. For example, if a performer is injured while rehearsing or performing, their medical bills and lost wages could be significant. Without insurance, the cost of these expenses could potentially bankrupt a small arts organization.
In addition to protecting against accidents and injuries, business insurance can also cover damages or losses due to weather events, natural disasters, and other unexpected circumstances. For example, if a theater is forced to cancel a performance due to a power outage or extreme weather, insurance can help cover lost income and expenses.
Another important aspect of commercial insurance for the arts and recreation industry is liability coverage. This type of insurance can protect against legal claims and lawsuits if someone is injured or becomes ill while attending an event or using facilities. For example, if a patron slips and falls at a theater, they may file a lawsuit against the venue for damages. Liability insurance can help cover the costs of legal fees and any settlement or judgement.
Overall, the arts and recreation industry needs insurance to protect against financial losses and legal liabilities that can arise in the course of business. Without commercial insurance, small arts organizations and recreational facilities could be vulnerable to financial ruin in the face of unexpected events or accidents.
Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Business Income with Extra Expense, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Commercial Articles Floater, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Umbrella Liability, Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.
Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Building, Bailees Customers Floater, Money and Securities, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage and Stop Gap Liability.