Speeding Ticket

[midagetrolop]

My mate has been done for speeding - it is better for her to pay £60 and 3 points or £85 and go on a Speed awareness course. How will the three points affect her insurance?

[boxtops]

Most insurers will increase the premium for having points on your licence, and you must disclose them.

[woofgang]

if I were her, I'd do the speed awareness. Some jobs require a clean licence and you don't know what the future will hold in terms of picking up other points. Insurance effect will vary with the insurer.

[sir.prize]

Three points will mean increased premium. The speed awareness course is an option to avoid points. But now some insurance companies also insist that you tell them if you have been on a Speed Awareness Course - then your premium is increased. So it's a difficult decision to make.

[bednobs]

3 points usually don't affect insurance all that much ... but just imagine if she accidentally got caught twice in the same day in the future - bang, that's 9 points, which would affect the insurance considerably. If i had a choice i would always do the awareness course

[237SJ]

When I had an SP30 it made no difference to my insurance. That was a few years ago though so maybe things have changed. Nowadays, I`d probably just go on the speed awareness course and get it over with.

[sir.prize]

Some insurance companies treat the Speed Awareness Course as if it is a conviction . . . .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20328860

[KingKonk]

I chose to attend the Speed Awareness course. No regrets....

[FredPuli43]

Do the awareness course, no question about it. You either keep a clean licence or get one quicker than if you take the three points this year. And, as said, you can't predict the future. You can pick up 6 points in a fortnight if your luck's out. Having 9 points is not good for the nerves.

If the insurers do increase the premium for a speed course, try another insurer or accept that it's better not to have the points anyway. I found the course interesting and sometimes amusing;a good instructor and a good bunch of people. After all, none learning are serious or serial offenders or they wouldn't be on the course.

[vulcan42]

I attended a speed awareness course just last week.The instructor said, and I quote" As soon as I submit your details and confirm you have completed this course, the slate is wiped clean, the offence no longer exists and that is the end of the matter. If you are caught again you will receive three points and a fine, you will not be offered this course". He also said" as this offence no longer exists it does not concern the insurance companies".

[sir.prize]

That may be so vulcan42 . . .

''Admiral Insurance says it considers attending a speed awareness course as information relevant to pricing an accurate premium and told the BBC: "On the list of offences on our website, speed awareness courses are listed. The question is also asked on the phone at 'new business' stage and on our invitation to renew documents."

And it would invalidate insurance if not disclosing a Speed Awareness Course - if asked.

[vulcan42]

sir.prize, I must admit I was surprised(excuse me) when he said that. The fact we were on a speed awareness course indicated we had exceeded the limit and I would thought the Insurance company would have been most interested. It's a strange situation though when the companies say are interested in something which the police say doesn't exist.

[sir.prize]

. . . another of life's mysteries . . .

[Peter Pedant]

Definitely speed awareness.

I did one just after a fren' had been knocked off his cycle (not by me)
and had an undisplaced fracture of C4 (= broken neck without much nerve damage)
I do drive much slower now and stop for cyclists and furry animals

[Peter Pedant]

oh yeah and you mustn't when you turn up
do a Vicky Pryce and say - I dunno why I am here
I wasnt the one that was speeding' innit ?

[FredPuli43]

Surely Admiral would like to know every time you did 35 mph in a 30 zone, whether or not you went past a speed camera ! The request that you tell them that the police have decided not to prosecute for an alleged offence of that nature amounts to the same.

[wiltsman]

I'd say a Speed Awareness Course every time.

After 35 years driving, I had my first speeding fine in 2008, after being caught by a speed camera doing 36mph in a 30mph zone. I wasn't offered a Speed Awareness Course even though this was my first speeding fine.

After five years I still had to declare this offence to my insurance company, and this affected my premium, although I understand in the final year the premium was increased by a total of 99 pence!

But I would have jumped at the chance of a Speed Awareness Course and kept a clean driving licence.

I know I'm straying from the subject, but I like to think that if I had been caught doing 36mph by a real policeman, the most I would have got would have been a severe ticking off'!

[SpikeyBush]

I got done for speeding last year in Monaghan, €80 fine and 2 points for 91km/h in an 80 zone. Wrote to my insurers. When I received my renewal notice there was no mention of this so I called them to make sure they received my letter and had it noted. They did, and they told me that they don't increase premiums for speeding offences. "Right then" I told them. "I'm driving everywhere now like my hair is on fire"

[brandyrose]

I'd say do the speed awareness course. Get there well in time as they are very strict on start times and if you are late may not let you back on and have to report failure to attend and you'll end up paying the fine. I heard this course may not be around for much longer. Important - they will not tell your insurers that you have been on a speed awareness course and from what I gather you are not obliged to tell them so do not tell your insurers (double check this when you do the course but I think I'm right as this is the incentive.
A clean licence is a hell of alot more attractive than one with 3 points as per other posts. If they have given her a deadline to book - I would and I think you have a choice of dates and a few months in which to do the course but they are accommodating - make sure you do by a certain date they give you though and book the time off.

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