Speed Aware Course to tell or not to tell

minigirl762003

I got caught speeding and have been offered the speed awareness course rather than 3 points and a fine. If i take the course do I have to tell my insurance company (or any when i come to renew) that i got caught speeding but did the course?

Badger_Lady

You do have to declare "convictions" when applying for car insurance, regardless of punishment (although they may look kindly on the fact that you didn't incur points).

I assume speeding counts as a driving conviction...

EDIT: Just looked at the list of "driving convictions" and there are a few speeding offences on there - looks like you definitely do have to declare it.

minigirl762003

I gather they do count as a conviction. Can't believe i got caught. Usually so careful with my speed. I was doing 35 in a 30 limit

Vomityspice

Yes you have to declare it otherwise your insurance will be invalid and you can bet if you have an accident, your insurance company will use this 'get out of jail' card!

Surprisingly, your insurance won't be too effected (http://www.onlystop.com/news/200707/penalty-points-will-not-affect-insurance-premiums.html) as so many people are now caught. The Insurance Companies no longer use the points systems exclusively to ascertain risk as that would mean most of their customers would be penalised and it isn't a great way to apportion the risk involved in insurance.

Get a drink drive conviction however and see your premiums rocket!

lisyloo

I had an SP30 before (once in 20 years) and I was very sheepish in the police station but they treated it very casually.

I would advise you to let your insurance know but I think it's unlikely to have any effect.

I was quite shocked to be honest at how casually this was treated.

minigirl762003

Thanks for all your replies. Hopefully it wont affect my insurance too much

treliac

You could consider challenging this. My OH had the same a couple of years ago (35 in a 30 limit), followed advice researched on the internet and ultimately it was not pursued by the company - which may be affiliated to the police but is not the police themselves and is set up to collect speeding fines, i.e. make lots of money.

When it comes to it, there is normally a small leeway of about 10% allowed on the speed anyway and with such a small margin as yours it could be difficult to prove in court.

Depends how far you want to go, but it can be done. We were sending letters back and forwards for several months but there comes a point at which if they have not taken you to court, they are too late by law.

OH's was dropped, which leads us to think that they know they can be on a sticky wicket in trying to prove the offence when the margin is so small and if you are prepared not to give in, they will do in the end.

advantix

Having recently been on a speed awareness course for 36mph in a 30mph area i can say that you do NOT have to declare the offence or the course to your insurers. This is stated in both the paperwork you receive after the course AND by the people giving the course. The "offence" is in effect negated by the fact you have attended the course. If you attend the course (you can only do one course in every 3 year period) you have not been convicted of any offence.

In short you do NOT have to declare this course or the speeding "offence" to your insurers. It is actually a direct alternative to prosecution (see here http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/roadsafety/trainingp/sac.asp ) It is still kept on police records though.

sheilavw

Advantix is right. I got caught, late and rushing usual thing and I got offered the course which I did last saturday. They tell you on the course and in paperwork this is instead of the points. As I have been driving 27 years with clean licence I thought worth the extra £20 to keep my licence that way. You will only be offered the course once in three years. One lady on the course was caught twice in a week and got one lot of points and did the course.

raskazz

Hmm, that is odd.

Because I knew somone who completed the course and was told by one of the instructors to inform his insurers of the situation.

The question is whether it is a 'conviction' or not. If it was classified as a motoring conviction you would be obliged to disclose it whether points were added or not.

My reading of it is that the course is merely an alternative form of 'punishment' and as such I would disclose it, then your insurer will decide whether it will use it to rate your premiums, and you have covered your back.

alared

Who do they offer the course to?
Is it only if you are marginally over the limit,such as 35 in a 30 mph zone?