Car Insurance Speed Awareness

Cubana48

So I've read a number of posts on here. I recently completed a Speed Awareness Course.

been looking at some insurance quotes online, namely comparison sites, Aviva and Esure.

I know you don't have to voluntarily declare a Speed Awareness Course if they don't ask, but I just want to confirm something.

Obviously this is not a conviction or endorsement since I passed the course. But is it classed as a "fixed penalty offence"? Here is the statement from Esure:

"Do you have any motoring convictions, endorsements or fixed penalty offences in the last 5 years?"

Similarly Money Supermarket: "Have you committed any driving offences or had any Fixed Penalty Notices in the last 5 years?"

I was caught speeding but completed the course. Is this still an offence and needs to be declared? I did commit an offence after all.

It would seem every single insurer is making a similar statement.

As soon as I put it in, my insurance went up £120.

Thanks

Mobeer

No - a speed awareness course is generally a way to avoid a fixed penalty notice.

redux

If the question includes speed awareness courses, as one or two insurers (such as Admiral) do, then it would be dishonest to give a false answer.

If they don't ask, they don't want to know, you don't have to volunteer it.

hareng

Firstly i would avoid any rip off insurance co that demands or stipulates you declare a speed awareness course.


Having done one myself about 6 or 7 years back, first time copped in 40 yrs the tutor blatantly said you do not have to notify insurance co.

Car_54

hareng wrote: »

Firstly i would avoid any rip off insurance co that demands or stipulates you declare a speed awareness course.


Having done one myself about 6 or 7 years back, first time copped in 40 yrs the tutor blatantly said you do not have to notify insurance co.

That was probably true back then.

Angus_Og

Since it is a private matter the insurer will never know (legally).

Anyway moot point we don't have them up here.

Nearly_Old

Cubana48 wrote: »

Similarly Money Supermarket: "Have you committed any driving offences or had any Fixed Penalty Notices in the last 5 years?"

I would be very careful when answering the above as it contains two separate questions:
a) Have you committed any driving offences: clearly if a person has received a NIP/S172 then an offence has been committed so the answer is "YES" and this does not depend on how the offence is dealt with - fixed penalty/awareness course/etc
OR
b) had any Fixed Penalty Notices in the last 5 years? Given a) why is this part required as an offence must have been committed or there would no Fixed Penalty Notice? Or is part a) meant to catch awareness courses as it only deals with offences rather than the how the offences were resolved?

The other issue is that, as written, the 5 years could be seen to only apply to part b) whilst logically is should apply to both parts.

Car_54

Nearly_Old wrote: »

I would be very careful when answering the above as it contains two separate questions:
a) Have you committed any driving offences: clearly if a person has received a NIP/S172 then an offence has been committed so the answer is "YES" and this does not depend on how the offence is dealt with - fixed penalty/awareness course/etc
OR
b) had any Fixed Penalty Notices in the last 5 years? Given a) why is this part required as an offence must have been committed or there would no Fixed Penalty Notice? Or is part a) meant to catch awareness courses as it only deals with offences rather than the how the offences were resolved?

The other issue is that, as written, the 5 years could be seen to only apply to part b) whilst logically is should apply to both parts.

1. The question is badly phrased. A person can commit many offences without ever being caught.

2. If you have received a NIP then an offence has indeed been committed, but not necessarily by you.

Nearly_Old

Car_54 wrote: »

1. The question is badly phrased. A person can commit many offences without ever being caught.

2. If you have received a NIP then an offence has indeed been committed, but not necessarily by you.

I agree with both your points but if someone has i) committed an offence; and ii) been caught committing the offence then IMO the answer to part a) has to be "Yes" irrespective of how the offence is dealt with?


IMO there is no difference between a Fixed Penalty and a Speed Awareness Course as both relate to the same offence and I'm surprised that all insurers do not ask the question directly.

Car_54

Nearly_Old wrote: »

I agree with both your points but if someone has i) committed an offence; and ii) been caught committing the offence then IMO the answer to part a) has to be "Yes" irrespective of how the offence is dealt with?


IMO there is no difference between a Fixed Penalty and a Speed Awareness Course as both relate to the same offence and I'm surprised that all insurers do not ask the question directly.

Yes, but the question was quoted as being from asked Money Supermarket, not an insurer. I’d expect the latter to ask better questions.

As for courses, I believe the theory is that going on a course should lower the risk of reoffending, and make you a better risk. On the contrary, Admiral say there is not a shred of evidence that the courses achieve anything, and IIRC the DfT had to agree.

Cubana48

So clear as mud then.

I don't know whether each insurer takes a different view on this, whether they are just poorly worded, or if they hold you to it, but certainly they all word it differently.

Personally I feel that if it uses the word "Notice", i.e. I have been notified of a penalty, then yes, I should declare it. If it just says fixed penalty or points, well I completed my Speed Awareness Course and didn't recieve a penalty or points.

All my quotes went up when I declared it as a penalty.

FYI, here are all the current statements they're using online:




Compare the market
Have you had any driving related convictions, endorsements, penalties, disqualifications or bans in the past 5 years?

Aviva
Don't ask the question

Esure
"Do you have any motoring convictions, endorsements or fixed penalty offences in the last 5 years?"

Go Compare
In the last five years have you received any motoring convictions, driving licence endorsements or fixed penalties, and/or have you been disqualified from driving (including any pending prosecutions)?

Money Supermarket
"Have you committed any driving offences or had any Fixed Penalty Notices in the last 5 years?"

LV
Don't ask the question

Confused
Any motoring convictions, driving licence endorsements or fixed penalty points within the last 5 years?

Churchill
Have you had any motoring offences including convictions, endorsements, fixed penalties, bans or points in the last 5 years