Insurance For Qualified/Advanced Drivers

[James]

I have just been reading Darren’s entry, which is near the top of this Forum regarding encouraging young drivers to become involved in Advanced Driving. I note the references to Insurance Companies and their view of Advanced or Qualified Motorists.

I have to say that having searched around for insurance on my car for the past 5 consecutive years, I have seen next to no companies that recognise any sort of driver training. This ranges from Pass Plus courses all the way to Police Drivers. No one seems to offer benefits or incentives to drivers who take the initiative to apply themselves in this extremely skilled area, so no wonder many people cannot be bothered to progress down the Advanced route.

I can recall a couple that offer an incentive, Elephant recognises Pass-Plus and I think IAM, and I believe Norwich Union recognise IAM as well. But even them, despite this, will only drop their premiums by around £15 to £20 when dealing with these sorts of drivers.

I can understand the reasons why; statistics, maybe a concern over arrogance, why cater for such a specific audience when they are making enough money without doing so e.t.c.

I just wondered what your views were? I am sure there are companies who recognise more than others, but generally, it is disappointing.

[Nigel]

From talking to a nice traffic policeman on the IAM forum, I remember him telling me he not only doesn't get a discount, but actually gets charged extra !

I get discount from Heritage for my old beemer, and performance direct for my vectra...10% in both cases.

[ScoobyChris]

Do the HPC offer preferential insurance rates? Seem to remember reading the blurb on their web site. Admiral (part of the Elephant group) certainly recgonise IAM, but I think you have to ring up and tell them about RoSPA to get the same discount.

It would also be interesting to see how advanced driver's statistics stack up against non-advanced drivers

Chris

[JamesAllport]

I suspect the experience we've had with the HPC scheme isn't widely relevant.

The difficulty with the HPC scheme is that any HPC member is covered to drive the car, even on a track (even the 'Ring).

So the scheme has to account for the theoretical possibility of a new-ish member like me crashing another member's 911 GT3 into the armco at the Nurburgring at 170mph.

Actually, because of the standard of driving in HPC, incidents of any kind are vanishingly rare.

But because the Club is small, so is the pool of premiums in relation to the value of the cars insured.

For advanced drivers who don't hand over their keys to others, this set of problems won't apply.

James

[martine]

I think the insurance companies would say that someone with a good attitude and practising advanced driving in many cases would get a 60% discount...in the shape of their no claims.

I guess there comes a point when they can't offer anymore discount regardless of the driver's skill or record as this only makes up a proportion of the risk. The other's being 3rd parties, theft, fire and the huge liability to any injured passengers.

Having said that I think it's also a case that they don't see it as a way to get new business...all it takes is for 1 company to offer a significant discount with plenty of advertising and they should get loads of advanced drivers applying.

[TripleS]

Do the HPC offer preferential insurance rates? Seem to remember reading the blurb on their web site. Admiral (part of the Elephant group) certainly recgonise IAM, but I think you have to ring up and tell them about RoSPA to get the same discount.

It would also be interesting to see how advanced driver's statistics stack up against non-advanced drivers

Chris

It would indeed, but all I have heard is that the IAM claim their members have a better safety record, based (cough, cough) on their own research. Perhaps their claim is justified, who knows, but some independently produced figures would be welcome, er, just to be on the safe side.

On the other hand, with their members never exceeding speed limits, and always having both hands on the steering wheel, and nearly always doing pull-push steering - I mean to say, what could possibly go wrong?

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Roadcraft]

The subject is always worthy of discussion Police Driver...so thanks for fetching it up..

As you have, can I ask what service you have in the force and what driving grade you are?

Many thanks.

S1

[James]

Yes of course, 5 years 2 months service, and a Response Driver.

[Roadcraft]

Yes of course, 5 years 2 months service, and a Response Driver.

"Response Driver"..as you know ...different forces have different courses/tests..

As a response driver, is that an 'advanced' course..ie: pursuit trained?

Also, are you TPAC trained?

If you feel the need to PM me the answers feel free...i'm only asking you publically, as the members are usually interested in police driver training and the information is of benefit and education.

[Nigel]

Yes of course, 5 years 2 months service, and a Response Driver.

"Response Driver"..as you know ...different forces have different courses/tests..

As a response driver, is that an 'advanced' course..ie: pursuit trained?

Also, are you TPAC trained?

If you feel the need to PM me the answers feel free...i'm only asking you publically, as the members are usually interested in police driver training and the information is of benefit and education.

Too right, we like to know what were up against

[Søren]

Yes of course, 5 years 2 months service, and a Response Driver.

"Response Driver"..as you know ...different forces have different courses/tests..

As a response driver, is that an 'advanced' course..ie: pursuit trained?

Also, are you TPAC trained?

If you feel the need to PM me the answers feel free...i'm only asking you publically, as the members are usually interested in police driver training and the information is of benefit and education.

Too right, we like to know what were up against

We're too good for you Nige!

[chrispbrown2255]

I have just been reading Darren’s entry, which is near the top of this Forum regarding encouraging young drivers to become involved in Advanced Driving. I note the references to Insurance Companies and their view of Advanced or Qualified Motorists.

I have to say that having searched around for insurance on my car for the past 5 consecutive years, I have seen next to no companies that recognise any sort of driver training. This ranges from Pass Plus courses all the way to Police Drivers. No one seems to offer benefits or incentives to drivers who take the initiative to apply themselves in this extremely skilled area, so no wonder many people cannot be bothered to progress down the Advanced route.

I can recall a couple that offer an incentive, Elephant recognises Pass-Plus and I think IAM, and I believe Norwich Union recognise IAM as well. But even them, despite this, will only drop their premiums by around £15 to £20 when dealing with these sorts of drivers.

I can understand the reasons why; statistics, maybe a concern over arrogance, why cater for such a specific audience when they are making enough money without doing so e.t.c.

I just wondered what your views were? I am sure there are companies who recognise more than others, but generally, it is disappointing.

When I first passed my test I went straight on to do pass plus. I rang several insurance co's off the list on the pass plus website. I ended up going with norwich union who gave me a 48% discount on my first years premium, saved me over £700.

[martine]

[quote="chrispbrown2255When I first passed my test I went straight on to do pass plus. I rang several insurance co's off the list on the pass plus website. I ended up going with norwich union who gave me a 48% discount on my first years premium, saved me over £700.[/quote]

Wow that's impressive...should be publicised more as that's a real incentive for newer drivers and makes the £100 or so cost of pass-plus a bargain.

[James]

Yes it is Advanced...

The Metropolitan Response Course is an intensive 2-week driving course covering full usage of Roadcraft, Police Driving Techniques and Pursuit Management. It covers everything basiclly. We drive marked cars, unmarked cars, prison vans. Also it incorparates a day on the skid pan at Hendon in Front Wheel/Rear Wheel/Automatic and Manual's e.t.c. Also, you are expected to give a good commentary both on blue lights and general driving. The level of driving expected in final examination is obviously high, because if successful, you will be able to drive every class of vehicle in the Met, and will obviously be able to respond to emergency calls and undertake pursuits.

The Advanced course is exactly the same as the Response course, only you are marked to a higher standard. There is no new material involved, and no new techniques. Your commentary and general driving is expected to be to a higher standard, and during the Advanced Course, more in depth "Pursuit Training" is covered. These courses usually are allocated to Traffic Officers and those from Specialist Units, although you can apply for them whatever you are doing in the job. I do not know what system the counties use. I have heard that the Met Response Course is equivalent to a Counties Advanced Course, but I have no idea as have never worked the counties.

Interestingly, Police Officers who are Driver Training actually have a specific exemption in law to exceed the speed limit during that training. I did not know this until the course. When not on blue lights, we would respect the 30,40,50's, but during nationals would drive as fast as safely possible, and always so as to be able to stop in the distance we could see to be clear. This is in conflict with the civilian courses and is something I need to adapt to if I go to on to become associated with any of these.

[ScoobyChris]

I read somewhere that a serving police officer (on or off duty) is allowed to exceed the posted speed limits, treat red lights as a give way, etc, etc where it is necessary/justifiable to do so. There is no requirement to have blues or twos on either.

The example of this was a chap on another forum I'm a member of who, while off duty, spotted an armed gang leaving the scene of a crime. He pursued them on his motorbike giving a commentary to the TrafPol so they could pick up the pursuit.

Chris