If you paid or entered into a monthly contract for a years insurance Jan 16, the policy is not due for renewal until Jan 17 and any increased speed premium would be imposed at that point. I'm not aware of any option for the insurance company to increase a premium whilst that policy is still in place.
If you are offered a speed awareness course and take that offer up no points are incurred, but you still have to tell your insurance company. Bad companies impose an extra premium
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Yes I paid for the year upfront.
I have been doing some research and found a couple of articles on cancelling a policy and refunds.
It looks like it would not be worth cancelling it as most companies do not refund the last 2 months of the policy and there is also a cancellation charge of whatever they choose.
I do fall within the speed limit for taking speed awareness course and I have not been on one before but that decision is not up to me and they could just give me 3 points and fine, or court date.
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You should be eligible for a speed awareness course, and can question the decision if they don't allow it, as they should be following their criteria.
All such courses I've heard of have been instead of getting the points on your licence.
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The speed limit was 60 and I was doing 73. On the form it says "to be eligible for a speed awareness course the speed must fall within the acceptable speed range (speed limit + 10% + 9mph). I thought that points were still awarded if asked to attend a speed awareness course. I could still get a fixed penalty or a court summons.
No, no points if you are offered and go on a Speed Awareness Course
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The speed limit was 60 and I was doing 73. On the form it says "to be eligible for a speed awareness course the speed must fall within the acceptable speed range (speed limit + 10% + 9mph). I thought that points were still awarded if asked to attend a speed awareness course. I could still get a fixed penalty or a court summons.
No, no points if you are offered and go on a Speed Awareness Course
I took the speed awareness course 3 years ago. no points. take it if you can, but if you opt for it ,make sure you attend within the "grace period" and be on time. I found it ok, but a bit holier than thee!
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Thanks for the info guys.
Yes I would like to go on the speed awareness course, I posted the form back today, recorded delivery.
Like I said I have not been on a course before and I did fall within the 75 mph limit so hopefully they will ask me to do the course.
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Hello bluenun, I think a lot of motor insurance policies these days are rolling contracts. You have to inform them of any material change, which 3 points is, some may even insist you inform them of a speed awareness course too. I suggest you examine the small print on your policy before raising the subject with them. Any change then triggers a re-appraisal of their risk and usually incurs an increase. In my case, 4 years ago, this was an immediate one off payment of £75 for the remainder of the policy. So I got fined £60 for 82 on a motorway, then fined £75 by my insurer. Sure spoils your day! I would be surprised if there is no clause requiring you to inform them of any material change, which I believe a speed awareness course may be classed as. You pays your money........
Good luck. Concrete
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Cheers Concrete,
Yes I can see Highway charging at least £75 if not more if I get points or a course. Which is why I enquired about canceling the policy and getting a refund for the complete months left on the policy.
Back in January I paid £299 for 12 months fully comp, including breakdown cover and protected NCB.
A search online
Also the fine is now £100.
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I see your point regarding cancellation, however a new proposal to a new insurer would request you inform of them of any material facts or changes. It is this phrase 'material facts or changes' that is interpretive. Is a speed awareness course a material change or fact? Who knows, but once you flag it up your are caught in the morality trap. Try getting a friend to telephone your chose insurer and give your exact details. First time without any driving convictions, second time with 3 points, third time with a speed awareness course. Then you will have a clear picture of what the price differnces are. Of course all this takes time and is a rigmarole for the sake of £100, but if you imagine someone offered to pay you £100 to make the bogus calls you might consider it worthwhile. Best of luck and let us know what tanspires.
Cheers Concrete
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I was given the option to attend a speed awareness course.
For those that have completed one, what did the 4 hours involvel, a written test?
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That have completed one, what did the 4 hours involvel, a written test?
Felt like a work training course; introductions, names on either badges or cards and breaks grotty coffee.
Run by professional trainers, one ex-police other from some other background. Mix of talks from the front, group work and Q&A. No test.
Actually quite useful in terms of making one think abit more.
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I went to one thinking it was going to be a waste of an afternoon but was surprised by how much it made me think, and also how much more careful I am about speed limits now.
If they were available to attend on a voluntary basis I would recommend one as a useful training exercise.
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Thanks for the replies,
I am kind of looking forward to it, as long as I learn something on the day I will be happy.
I am just not all that confident in groups especially if I do not know anyone.
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Having been on several Speed Awareness Course, don't ask!, I've been surprised at the widespread lack of knowledge of the Highway Code among the participants, with no apparent pattern across gender or age - and there's always a know-it-all, like me, that still gets it wrong occasionally and still finds things to learn.
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Went on one a while back, and found it helpful. Re insurance, the situation changed in 2013 for consumers. Instead of a general duty to disclose, the insurance company must ask about those issues that would affect their risk. ABI have explained it here: tinyurl.com/hf5gym7
"It removes the duty on consumers to disclose any facts that a prudent underwriter would consider material, and replaces this with a duty to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation."
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Went on one a while back, and found it helpful. Re insurance, the situation changed in 2013 for consumers. Instead of a general duty to disclose, the insurance company must ask about those issues that would affect their risk. ABI have explained it here: tinyurl.com/hf5gym7
"It removes the duty on consumers to disclose any facts that a prudent underwriter would consider material, and replaces this with a duty to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation."
Well done nortones2. A useful piece of information This could help the OP.
I would be inclined not to disclose a speed awareness course on the grounds that such a course does not increase the risk borne by the insurer. In fact, as many point out, it helps to improve driving through your approach to speed, so in theory reduces the risk. However with this new requirement the script followed by the call centre operative will change too and include the dreaded question. They think of any way to extract more money.
Cheers Concrete
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I completed the course and learnt quite a lot.
One of the 2 teachers said that there is no need to tell the insurance company but if you take out insurance and are asked if a speed awareness course was attended then you must disclose that information.
I did not ask him but I expect this is a question that is asked alot on these courses.
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Well done bluenun, you are now officially a lesser risk than previously I would think. Let us know how it goes when you renew your insurance. Cheers Concrete
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