It has been reported that motorists who attend speed awareness courses instead of taking a fine and/or points may still see their insurance premiums increase. Even though the police don't treat it as a conviction, some insurance companies such as Admiral do.
The theory is that if a motorist has attended a course, they pose a higher risk of an accident.
Paul Beresford runs Defensive Driver Training. DDT offers defensive and advanced driver training to help keep the roads, and its drivers safe and secure. DDT helps to train company, fleet and personal drivers keeping insurance and repair costs down. He says:
"This really is a case of insurance companies wanting their cake and eating it - as usual. True the offence is has been committed, but the basic tenets of law are based on the miscreant paying the price for committing the crime once, and the justice system giving you the opportunity of rehabilitation.
"The whole principle of the Speed Awareness course is that you chose to pay for the course, take time off to attend and hopefully take on board the lessons learnt on the course. Where in the process does it state that" by the way, you will still get stung by the insurance company"?
"The whole programme is based on this being a chance for the driver to reflect on the error of his ways and improve. To then be punished a second time is hardly justice.
"We have plenty of evidence of the benefits of Speed Awareness courses in the corporate sector, with insurance claims, fuel bills and third party claims all dramatically reduced following training. If the recent behaviour of insurance companies means fewer people attend courses, the whole principle on which they are based could be called into question.
"But then again we are talking about the Financial Services sector here. They do have a fine reputation over the past five years of behaving with intelligence and integrity don't they?"
Notes to Editors
Defensive Driver Training Limited has over 23 years' experience providing cost effective Defensive and Advanced Driving Courses in all types of vehicles.
Assisting major blue chip companies, NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and other public sector organisations to implement long term, low cost strategies have a proven track record of improving fuel efficiency, reducing claims rates, repair costs and insurance premiums. With a flexible approach and innovative courses which minimize disruption to clients' business, their pool of trainers are exceptional at devising bespoke training programmes that address clients' specific needs.
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