Speed awareness course = Higher premiums!

poppasmurf_bewdley

Don't tell the insurer and they'll never know. Simples!

Aretnap

Paradigm wrote: »

Given that the SAC is, supposedly*, to educate drivers in the hope they see the error of their ways & drive with greater care.... shouldn't attending such a course actually lower premiums?

It's entirely possible for it to do it's job and for drivers who have been on them still to be higher risk. If (to pluck a number out of the air) drivers with speeding convictions are on average 20% more likely to have accidents than those without, and those who've been caught but attended a SAC are 10% more likely to have an accident, then the SAC has done its job in reducing the risk, but they still represent a greater risk to insurance companies than people who have never broken (or at least, been caught breaking) the speed limit.

I read on another forum from someone inside the industry that Admiral started asking about speed awareness courses in November 2009 - the significance of the date is that they now have 3 years data. If the data show that drivers who've been on SACs have had more accidents in that time then the bottom line is that they'll load premiums for them. Whether the courses are effective in improving road safety is another question entirely. It would be interesting to see a comparison of drivers with a SAC against drivers with 3 points but I doubt whether Admiral would release that data to all and sundry - insurer's data tends to be a trade secret.

Aretnap

Quentin wrote: »

It shouldn't - courses only get offered to those caught just over the speed limit, rather than racers who go straight to points/fine or court.

How many can say they never have done that?

But if you have been caught and then attended a SAC maybe you become a lesser risk as a result of the course making you a better driver than the rest who haven't been caught yet?

It's true that everyone breaks the speed limit occasionally, with the possible exception of my father in law (unless we're counting minimum speed limits). But it's also self-evidently true that your chances of getting caught doing it are related to just how often you do it. So people who've been caught speeding, on average, break the limit more often and probably by greater amounts than people who haven't been caught. So it's not surprising that they represent a higher risk to insurers.

andygb

Quentin wrote: »

It shouldn't - courses only get offered to those caught just over the speed limit, rather than racers who go straight to points/fine or court.

How many can say they never have done that?

But if you have been caught and then attended a SAC maybe you become a lesser risk as a result of the course making you a better driver than the rest who haven't been caught yet?

I think that it does not make you a better driver, because many just go on them as an alternative to picking up points on their licence.
I think the fact that you have been caught speeding probably makes you take a bit more care in future.
As for the course, why on earth would anyone declare it to their insurance company?

hareng

Having done a SAC 4 days ago we were blatantly told you will not have to inform insurers and no points go on your licence. Will not be offered the same deal for next three years.
People who are offered SAC are deemed in the eyes of the police to be good drivers. Even the two tutors who have to own a non descript car ie Fiesta basic state they often exceed the limit. Also stated anyone thats had a clean licence for thirty years must have been doing something right.

All it boils down to is spotting the cameras earlier and dont be last in a line of cars thats the one that gets done even in the middle of know where, open road 7.23am!

vikingaero

It's only Admiral Group, the Ryanair of motor insurance, who are trying it on.

Anyone who buys an Admiral Group product is buying scrapings from the bottom of the barrel.

custardy

hareng wrote: »

Having done a SAC 4 days ago we were blatantly told you will not have to inform insurers and no points go on your licence. Will not be offered the same deal for next three years.
People who are offered SAC are deemed in the eyes of the police to be good drivers. Even the two tutors who have to own a non descript car ie Fiesta basic state they often exceed the limit. Also stated anyone thats had a clean licence for thirty years must have been doing something right.

All it boils down to is spotting the cameras earlier and dont be last in a line of cars thats the one that gets done even in the middle of know where, open road 7.23am!

Is that all?
Seems the speed awareness course isnt fit for purpose

hareng

Must work for Admiral Custardy:T

custardy

hareng wrote: »

Must work for Admiral Custardy:T

Yes thats right. Thats the reason I think somethings wrong with a speed awareness course, thats made you think the aim is not getting caught

Hintza

custardy wrote: »

Yes thats right. Thats the reason I think somethings wrong with a speed awareness course, thats made you think the aim is not getting caught

But we don't have them in Scotland so you don't need to worry custardy.