It depends on the local policy.  You are a little over the speed for normally being offered a speed awareness course so it will depend on the local policy.  I know that in Wales generally the policy is approaching zero tolerance, but it might be worth ringing them up and having a word.  Sometimes they can be sympathetic and exceptionally offer a course, it just depends.

 

My understanding is that since March 2012, 3 points for speeding is rewarded by a 10 to 40% increase in insurance premium (the younger you are the greater the increase).  If you have a good record you may find they will be more sympathetic, it depends on the company.  Certainly Admiral will treat attendance at a course as being equivalent to getting 3 points (but I believe they are the only ones who do).

How did you get caught by the way? Gatso etc or Police trap?

A trap ! I was framed

Yep, some insurance companies have now started to ask if you've been on a speed awareness course in the past few years.

 

Which is why I moved away from them. It is sneaky and underhand. It is even more annoying the fact that they specifically stated at the course that you would not get penalized by insurance companies.  

I  think it has increased to £100 from £60 in July for an FPN.

Which is why I moved away from them. It is sneaky and underhand. It is even more annoying the fact that they specifically stated at the course that you would not get penalized by insurance companies.

The thing is, when these courses were first introduced all those years ago, it didn't affect your insurance as the points didn't go on your licence. Unfortunatly, someone in the insurance game wised up to this and changed their underwriting to suit.

Lets not forget that the cost of your insurance is largely based around the risk of a claim being made and obviously the higher the risk the more expensive the policy will be and those with motoring convictions are statistically more likely to have to make a claim. So in the eyes of the business you were still speeding, you were caught speeding, you just don't have the points, so represent the same risk as someone who has the 3 points on their licence.

The thing is, when these courses were first introduced all those years ago, it didn't affect your insurance as the points didn't go on your licence. Unfortunatly, someone in the insurance game wised up to this and changed their underwriting to suit.

Lets not forget that the cost of your insurance is largely based around the risk of a claim being made and obviously the higher the risk the more expensive the policy will be and those with motoring convictions are statistically more likely to have to make a claim. So in the eyes of the business you were still speeding, you were caught speeding, you just don't have the points, so represent the same risk as someone who has the 3 points on their licence.

 

While true, does that person represent a lower or higher risk than someone who was not given an awareness course (in the sense of additional driver education)?

Unfortunately sometimes the only way to educate some drivers is through their wallet.

 

While I accept that speed awareness courses are designed to educate drivers, it is often about whether the driver wants to listen and take the information on board.

 

For some people the education is what they want, as they are getting a reality check, but others may see it as a pay out of punishment.

 

I tend to agree on the insurance companies that this part of their risk calculator, but that is probably only in place due to some people with the speed awareness course ignoring the information. (Waits for someone to say that insurance companies will always find ways to put prices up)

 

A speed awareness caused I'd say is classed as a higher risk than someone with a clean licence, but lower than someone who has 3 points for an SP30. Mainly as the speed awareness course is only eligible if you haven't received a driving penalty within a certain amount of time before hand, and that you were not higher than the threshold to just have points.

 

These courses also probably need to be updated with what insurance companies are now doing.

 

Sorry if that was a bit of a bore to read. I don't have any personal experience in this area myself.

While true, does that person represent a lower or higher risk than someone who was not given an awareness course (in the sense of additional driver education)?

Personally, the same risk. Those who speed continue to speed regardless of points, fine, increase in insurance or whatever. My driving style has barely changed in the 5 or 6 years since I attended one of these courses (37 in a 30) I will openly admit I do not religiously follow the speed limits and drive a couple MPH over it, which I'm pretty sure that a good 85%+ of drivers would admit to if they were honest

The company continue to see them as the same risk as those with the points as they have "history" and this suggests they will either get caught again or need to make a claim.

The thing is, when these courses were first introduced all those years ago, it didn't affect your insurance as the points didn't go on your licence. Unfortunatly, someone in the insurance game wised up to this and changed their underwriting to suit.

Lets not forget that the cost of your insurance is largely based around the risk of a claim being made and obviously the higher the risk the more expensive the policy will be and those with motoring convictions are statistically more likely to have to make a claim. So in the eyes of the business you were still speeding, you were caught speeding, you just don't have the points, so represent the same risk as someone who has the 3 points on their licence.

This sounds great. Are you aware that these same actuaries also argue that if you are stopped at a red traffic light and then rear ended, you are more likely to have this happen again than the guy in the next lane is?

This sounds great. Are you aware that these same actuaries also argue that if you are stopped at a red traffic light and then rear ended, you are more likely to have this happen again than the guy in the next lane is?

Depending on the history of the guy in the next lane, Yep. But as it is a non-fault accident it wont effect the premium and therefore make no difference anyway

Depending on the history of the guy in the next lane, Yep. But as it is a non-fault accident it wont effect the premium and therefore make no difference anyway

 

Run some details through an online comparison site, then add a non-fault claim and do it again.

If I came across a company who would increase the insurance premium becuase of a non-fault claim I would go elsewhere as they should not be. The only way a "non-fault" accident would affect the cost would be if that claim remained OPEN and had not been resolved.

If I came across a company who would increase the insurance premium becuase of a non-fault claim I would go elsewhere as they should not be. The only way a "non-fault" accident would affect the cost would be if that claim remained OPEN and had not been resolved.

Trust me they do. In February somebody negligently drove into the back of me. When I renewed my insurance later that month they decided that I was a higher risk and asked for an extra £50. I accused them of discrimination as they chose not to increase every other customers premium who lived near to where this idiot lived that hit the back of my car. I had more or less two months of arguing with them before giving up and just paying it. I will just say, they are all the same. They are all money grabbing sharks that will do anything to screw you for more money. I will never insure my car with them again. I have no doubt that with a conviction for speeding they would happily load my premium even more. They have no customer care morals any more.

If I came across a company who would increase the insurance premium becuase of a non-fault claim I would go elsewhere as they should not be. The only way a "non-fault" accident would affect the cost would be if that claim remained OPEN and had not been resolved.

I've never known an insurance company that does not increase your premium (base premium, not a result of docking NCD) for a no fault.

Trust me they do. In February somebody negligently drove into the back of me. When I renewed my insurance later that month they decided that I was a higher risk and asked for an extra £50. I accused them of discrimination as they chose not to increase every other customers premium who lived near to where this idiot lived that hit the back of my car. I had more or less two months of arguing with them before giving up and just paying it. I will just say, they are all the same. They are all money grabbing sharks that will do anything to screw you for more money. I will never insure my car with them again. I have no doubt that with a conviction for speeding they would happily load my premium even more. They have no customer care morals any more.

As I haven't had to purchase my own insurance since I've been working here I will have to take your word for it

I can't comment on your story as there isn't enough information about the other driver and their situation.... did they stay and accept fault? Were they uninsured? did they dispute your version of events?? Did they drive off? All of those things could affect the outcome even if you do not agree with it and could be the reason why your premium was still increased?

Are you aware that these same actuaries also argue...

All too well Ken, I'm married to one. And she's never ever wrong... (except when she's wrong...)

Trust me they do. In February somebody negligently drove into the back of me. When I renewed my insurance later that month they decided that I was a higher risk and asked for an extra £50. I accused them of discrimination as they chose not to increase every other customers premium who lived near to where this idiot lived that hit the back of my car. I had more or less two months of arguing with them before giving up and just paying it. I will just say, they are all the same. They are all money grabbing sharks that will do anything to screw you for more money. I will never insure my car with them again. I have no doubt that with a conviction for speeding they would happily load my premium even more. They have no customer care morals any more.

Just re-read this..... I reckon if you went and asked your insurance company why your premium increased, it will be down to the fact that the claim will still be open and whilst the claim remains open, it will be considered a fault claim. Once closed in your favour, your insurance company will reimburse the difference.

I've never known an insurance company that does not increase your premium (base premium, not a result of docking NCD) for a no fault.

In the same vein, I have never heard Base Premiums being discussed on a customer level nor have I heard of NCB being reduced for a claim which has been closed as a 100% non-fault claim. Split liability claim YES but not a 100% non-fault accident.

Just re-read this..... I reckon if you went and asked your insurance company why your premium increased, it will be down to the fact that the claim will still be open and whilst the claim remains open, it will be considered a fault claim. Once closed in your favour, your insurance company will reimburse the difference.

My argument was that it had nothing to with them. And their argument for increased risk is laughable. Which ever way you look at it, you cannot single out one person out of many when assessing risk. The incident was caused by one person, the person not at fault cannot be a risk as they had no part or increase in risk in the incident taking place. I have worked as an engineer assessor for some time and have carried out many inspections for various insurance companies. How ever I look at this situation, I only ever end up feeling as though I have been mentally beaten into paying up. If I could be bothered I would have fought it even more but, as with most things in life, and this is what they rely on, you get fed up with it all and just want to see an end to it.

You still haven't said EXACTLY what happened... Had nothing to do with who?! Sounds to me there's a dispute over the circumstances hence why you are not happy with the outcome?!

I was offered Speed Awareness Course after doing 73 when it should have been 60 and I accepted, better than getting points on your licence.

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Comment removed.

Edited 13 September, 201312 yr by Huskoda

I don't advocate dodging anything, simply wondering what constitutes an offence. Is it the mere occurrence or does it have to be prosecuted and subsequently endorsed on your licence? In the same way, would you notify your insurance if pulled over for speeding by a copper who only issues a warning?

For me, I'd rather have 3 points than lose a days holiday and spend all day being told how to drive.

3points made to difference to any of my insurance quotes since I was caught 4 years ago now.