treet Racing Not Covered in Auto Insurance Quotes

By: Mike Silverstone, Car Insurance Analyst
CheaperCarInsurance.com

Two men were killed when another vehicle in a street race intercepted their vehicle at 1:45 this morning in Philadelphia. A Buick Regal flew through a red light, along with another car, evidently in a drag race. The Buick struck the Toyota, killing the driver and passenger instantly.

The men in the Buick were able to escape their vehicle and got into the other street racer, fleeing the scene. Street racing is still a serious issue in many large cities, but as it occurs mostly in the early morning, many residents are asleep at this hour and accidents like this one are a rude wakeup call.

Street racing is illegal throughout the US and is not covered by auto insurance quotes. In fact insurance companies refuse to have anything to do with vehicles involved in these races, due to the high rate of accidents.

Street racing frequently results in:

• High speed collisions
• Pedestrian hit and runs
• Destruction of public property

These days, traffic cameras give police a better idea of what’s going on when there are no witnesses. In the Philadelphia incident, the authorities are checking all traffic cameras in the area, as well as private security cams from local businesses.

Street Racing: A Dangerous Pastime

Like many illegal activities, street racing has become quite popular in recent years. The race drivers usually arrange the race ahead of time, choosing quiet streets late at night or in the wee hours of the morning in order to avoid issues with police. On some occasions, the races are spontaneous.

Some feel that movies like Fast and Furious have contributed to the idea that street racing is glamorous. Many people who engage in last minute races, the ones initiated at stop lights, for example, don’t realize that they are basically annulling their auto insurance quotes since the companies are not going to pay for anything if it can be proved that the vehicle was in a drag race.

As this morning’s accident proved, even quiet streets can become the scenes of tragic accidents. Driving at two in the morning is usually fairly safe since there isn’t much traffic. However, when racing cars speed through traffic lights, there’s always the possibility of an accident and at these high speeds, they are often fatal.

Auto Insurance Quotes Only Cover Actual Accidents

When you ask for auto insurance quotes, there are some things that are definitely covered, such as regular collisions. However, street racing is considered to be putting your vehicle at risk on purpose . . . rather like driving into a wall on purpose, so it isn’t included.

Anyone who is tempted to engage in street racing should remember that it is an extremely dangerous and high risk sport, one that very often ends in tragedy. Even if no one is seriously harmed, you risk destroying your vehicle and having to pay for the costs out of pocket, since the insurance won’t cover it. Other risks include:

• Jail time
• Financial ruin
• Loss of your license

None of these consequences is as great as the loss of life, of course. Hopefully the police will be able to use the cameras and any eye witnesses to the accident in Philadelphia to find the driver of the Buick. These racers need to be brought to justice after killing two innocent passersby.

For those driving late at night, be aware that this is the hour that street racers prefer, particularly on quieter streets. Be alert, even if you don’t think anyone else it out . . . it could save your life.

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