La mayoría de los conductores compran un seguro de automóvil para protegerse en caso de que tengan un accidente y su automóvil, o el automóvil de otra persona, sufra daños. Pero, ¿qué pasa con los pilotos de autos de carrera? El deporte se basa en la velocidad: los pilotos de NASCAR, por ejemplo, corren a velocidades de hasta 200 millas por hora (322 kilómetros por hora).
Y a velocidades como esa, es probable que ocurran accidentes, y suceden. De hecho, algunos fanáticos las encuentran como la parte más emocionante del deporte . Entonces, ¿quién asegura a estos conductores y sus autos de carrera, donde los accidentes, y a menudo los malos, son parte del curso?
Bueno, si sabes algo sobre carreras, especialmente NASCAR, sabes que los pilotos tienen patrocinadores, y muchos de ellos. Y los autos de algunos conductores pueden estar patrocinados por compañías de seguros. Entonces, ¿eso significa que la compañía también asegura el automóvil? A veces, pero no siempre. Entonces, si no, ¿quién lo hace? Vamos a desglosarlo todo.
Asegurar a los conductores y equipos de boxes
First, the pit crew and other members of a racing team are usually employed by the team, and that team usually provides them health insurance just like your employer provides you health insurance. However, drivers are often independent contractors, an employment status that generally comes with no benefits, including insurance coverage of any kind.
This does vary somewhat, as some states have laws requiring workers' compensation or disability coverage, but that's an exception to the rule. In short, drivers generally don't receive any benefits unless they're hurt on the job, and often, not even then.
However, professional drivers do have options for insurance. Since being a professional driver comes with perks (and oftentimes major sponsors) some insurance companies compete for the right to negotiate contracts in exchange for publicity for their brands. And most drivers are usually in good physical condition, as demanded by the sport, so they pose few risks to insurance companies outside of the time they're actually competing.
Insuring the Race Cars
But what about the cars? Team owners can't just call up their local State Farm rep and ask for a policy for a race car. Instead, racing teams typically must insure their cars with companies that specialize in motor sports. K&K Insurance Group, for example, has been providing motor sports insurance since 1952. Chizmark Larson also provides on-track coverage that insures race cars damaged while in racing.
Several insurance companies like K&K and Chizmark Larson typically base the policies on agreed-upon values of the cars, and on the competition schedules — that is, the more races on the schedules, the more the policies are likely to cost.
Racing assets, such as tools, trailers and facilities (even the tracks themselves) need to be insured, too. Drivers may also carry business liability coverage and life insurance in addition to their health insurance. And spectator and liability insurance is also available through companies that specialize in motor sports insurance.
Now That's Interesting
Of all spectator injuries at sporting events, most occur at auto and motorcycle racing events. That's because fans sitting near the track are at higher risk of being hit by an out-of-control vehicle or debris from a crash.
