Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins has a pretty intense hobby off the field — car drifting. If you haven’t seen the clips, he’s out there burning rubber like a pro. But as an insurance agent (and a Buffalo sports fan), watching him drift immediately triggered a different thought:
“I hope he’s not relying on his personal auto insurance to cover that car.”
Here’s why: standard personal auto policies exclude coverage for racing, drifting, and competitive driving. And that doesn’t just apply to NFL players with high-performance vehicles — it applies to anyone who takes their car onto a closed course or participates in motorsports activities.
What Your Personal Auto Policy Doesn’t Cover
Many drivers assume their car insurance will protect them in any situation, but that’s not always the case. Personal auto policies almost always include a “racing exclusion,” which means they won’t cover damages or liability if the vehicle is being used for:
- Racing or speed contests (organized or informal)
- Drifting
- Practicing for a race or competition
- Time trials or stunt driving
- Driving on a closed course or racetrack, even for recreational use
This means that even if your car is a stock sedan, if you’re using it in a way that meets any of these criteria — even just for fun — you’re likely driving without coverage during those activities.
What Is Motorsports Insurance?
Motorsports insurance is a specialty type of policy that can offer coverage for activities excluded by personal auto policies. These policies vary based on the type of vehicle, use, and event, but generally offer protection for:
- On-track damage
- Liability during competitive events
- Vehicle transport and equipment coverage
- Participant or event-specific liability
This type of coverage is typically purchased through agencies or carriers that specialize in motorsports or performance driving.
Know the Limits of Your Policy
Even if you don’t consider yourself a racer, it’s important to understand the limits of your coverage. Driving on a closed course, even as part of a non-competitive driving school or track day, could fall outside the protection of your personal auto insurance.
So while Dion Dawkins might have the horsepower — and the skills — to drift like a pro, if he’s not using motorsports-specific coverage, he could be exposing himself to significant financial risk.
The same applies to anyone who occasionally takes their car off the public roads for racing or performance driving.
Final Thoughts
Car insurance policies are designed to protect drivers under typical road conditions — not during high-risk, high-speed, or competitive activities. If you or someone you know participates in motorsports in any form, it’s essential to understand what your policy excludes and where additional coverage might be needed.
While our agency doesn’t offer motorsports insurance, we’re always here to help you better understand your current auto policy and how it applies to your lifestyle.
