Speed Awareness Course

MrSossidge

Attended a speed awareness course yesterday following being caught by a camera van doing 35 in a 30.

Clean licence holder and I opted to do the course but in hindsight wished I'd taken the 3 points as I did want to do more stuff to the summerhouse.

Was informed on the course that I don't need to notify insurance company of attendance but come renewal should admit I have if asked. If I'd taken points I would have to inform insurance. I've had points before and notified insurance to no detriment to premiums but this was many years ago.

I need my car for my job, but don't need to hold a clean licence as far as I know.

Are insurance companies likely to increase premiums these days and also what would you have done in my position?

Inked

I was offered one for 80 on a motorway but chose to take the points and fine. I informed my insurance who said it might affect my premium at renewal but didn't seem to

John7

I'd rather do the course than have points.

The missus got done a couple of years ago and took the course. Because she's a named driver on my vehicle (and has her own vehicle with separate insurance), come renewal time we both got hit with insurance premium hikes.

We were both with Admiral and as far as I can tell, Admiral Insurance and their subsidiary companies (Bell, Diamond, there may be others) are the only ones to load your insurance up for speed awareness course. They specifically ask about this, whereas others do not seem to be bothered. At the time, I think it cost me an additional £80.00 on my insurance and £70 for the wife. Needless to say, we dropped Admiral from future insurance business.

nvingo

What premium bias should attending a speed awareness course cause?

'He attended a course due to being caught doing what most drivers do anyway, but now we know he used to creep over the limit, so increase the premium'

or

'He attended a course and is thus more educated than most other drivers, so decrease his premium'

Don't forget, it's only minor speeding misdemeanours that qualify for the course option; major speeders will automatically go straight to prosecution.

MrSossidge

It shouldn't cause any bias IMO and I only think that it is purely an opportunity for certain insurers to make a few extra quid. I'm more interested in whether 3 points would affect premiums though.

John7

Put it this way, you've "only" got to get another 3 points within 3 years and it will definitely affect your premiums! I would always prefer to have a clean license.

MrSossidge

I've been to 6 before and had no increase. When I got to 9 I had my policy cancelled and had to find a new insurer. Insurance premium did increase then.

mjn

Anything up to 6 points, i’ve had no increase.

wongataa

I would do the course.  Points could be an excuse to raise premiums.  How much they would affect your premium you will never know but not getting any removes any chance the could affect the premium.

Admiral group were the on only insurance companies who asked if you have been on a course and they might have stopped asking now.

Bl4ckGryph0n

We just went through that dilemma, my wife choose the points. She knew she was speeding, doesn't need a course. First time ever for the points. No point paying more.

I've had 3 points on and off over the many years. Never affected a premium materially. I did have to report it to work though which was always a bit embarrassing.