Alyssa Lane
If you've been caught speeding, you may be asked to attend a speed awareness course. But does attending one of these courses affect your insurance? The answer is: it depends. While some insurers adjust premiums once notified, the majority do not. If your insurer specifically asks about attending a speed awareness course, you need to answer fully and honestly. However, you do not need to volunteer this information. If you don't complete the course in time, the matter will be passed back to the police, which could result in points on your license and an increase in your insurance costs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Whether to declare a driver awareness course to an insurance company | It is not necessary to declare a driver awareness course to an insurance company unless specifically asked. However, if asked, it must be declared truthfully, or the insurance may be void. |
| Effect of a driver awareness course on insurance premium | A driver awareness course is not considered a conviction. While some insurers adjust premiums after being notified, the majority do not. |
| Effect of not completing a driver awareness course on time | The matter may be passed back to the police, resulting in points on the driving licence, a fine, or a court summons. |
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What You'll Learn
Do you need to tell your insurer about a driver awareness course?
If you've been caught speeding, you may be asked to attend a speed awareness course. This is a course designed to educate drivers about their speeding and to encourage safer driving. While it is not a conviction, it is important to understand how this may impact your insurance and whether you need to disclose it to your insurer.
Firstly, it is crucial to recognize that insurance policies and requirements may vary across different companies and regions. Therefore, it is always advisable to check with your specific insurer to clarify their expectations and requirements regarding speed awareness courses. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information relevant to your particular policy.
In general, there is no definitive answer as to whether you need to proactively tell your insurer about a driver awareness course. Some sources suggest that you are not required to voluntarily disclose this information unless the insurer specifically asks about it during the active policy period. However, if they do ask, you must provide a truthful answer. Failure to do so may result in your insurance being voided in the event of an accident or claim.
On the other hand, some insurers may inquire about any unspent convictions or motoring offences during policy renewal. Since a speed awareness course is not considered a conviction by the police, you may not need to declare it during renewal unless specifically asked. Nevertheless, it is always best to be transparent and provide complete information to your insurer, even if you believe it may not be relevant.
It is worth noting that while some insurers may adjust premiums upon learning about a driver's attendance at a speed awareness course, the majority do not. Insurers like Admiral and LV= have stated that they do not require drivers to declare their participation in such courses. However, you will likely need to inform your insurer if you have received points on your license, a fixed penalty notice, or a motoring conviction, as these can impact your insurance costs.
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Does attending a course count as a conviction?
In the US, attending a traffic school program can, in some cases, prevent a conviction from appearing on your driving record. This is dependent on the type of driver's license held. If you hold a commercial driver's license and were not driving a commercial vehicle when you received a traffic ticket, the conviction will appear on your record but will not add a point count. For non-commercial licenses, attending traffic school for an eligible offense will result in a confidential conviction that is not disclosed to anyone except a court and shall be used only for statistical purposes.
In the UK, the matter is less clear. According to some sources, being offered and accepting a speed awareness course is not a conviction. However, if your insurance company asks whether you have attended such a course, you must tell them, or risk your insurance being void. Other sources state that you do not need to volunteer this information, but if asked, you must answer truthfully. Some insurance companies do not require drivers to declare that they have attended a speed awareness course, while others do adjust premiums once notified.
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Can you get cheaper insurance after taking a course?
There is no clear answer to whether taking a driver awareness course will get you cheaper insurance. However, it is likely that if you are caught speeding, you will be offered the chance to take a speed awareness course to avoid getting points on your licence and paying a fine. This is because points on your licence will increase your insurance costs and a speeding conviction can stay on your record for at least four years.
Some insurance companies may ask you if you have attended a speed awareness course, and you must answer truthfully or risk your insurance being void. However, it is not necessary to volunteer this information unless specifically asked, and some major insurance companies, such as Admiral and LV=, have stated that they do not require drivers to declare that they have attended a course.
It is worth noting that if you are caught speeding again within three years of taking a speed awareness course, you may receive a fine and penalty points, which could increase your insurance costs. Therefore, while taking a driver awareness course may not directly result in cheaper insurance, it can help you avoid points and convictions that would increase your premiums.
Ultimately, the impact of a driver awareness course on your insurance costs may depend on your specific insurance provider and their policies. It is always best to disclose all information to your insurer and check with them directly to understand how the course may affect your premiums.
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What happens if you don't attend a course?
If you don't attend a driver awareness course, you may be given penalty points on your licence, be required to pay a fine, or even be summoned to court. This is because the matter will be passed back to the police, who will decide on the appropriate course of action.
Penalty points on your licence can cause your insurance premiums to increase. Speeding convictions can stay on your record for at least four years, and your insurance costs could increase for up to 11 years, depending on the seriousness of the offence.
If you are unable to attend a course, you should be able to rebook, as long as you are still within the timescales set by the police. If you know that your availability has changed, you should contact the course provider as soon as possible to rearrange.
While you are not required to inform your insurance provider that you are attending a driver awareness course, if they ask you directly, you must answer truthfully. Failing to do so could invalidate your insurance policy. However, if you have not been asked about a driver awareness course, this cannot be used when calculating your quote.
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How do insurers find out about driver awareness courses?
There is no definitive answer to whether insurers will find out about a driver's awareness course. However, if they do find out, it could impact your insurance. It is important to note that the impact on your insurance may depend on the specific insurer and their policies. Some insurers may adjust premiums, while others may not.
In some cases, insurers may specifically ask if you have attended a speed awareness course. If they do ask, it is crucial to answer truthfully and provide full and honest information. Misleading them or providing false information could lead to your insurance being voided.
Your details as a driver are kept on a database held by the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme. This database may be accessed by insurers to determine if you have previously attended a driver awareness course. Additionally, if you have received points on your license or have any unspent convictions, these will need to be declared to your insurer.
It is always best to check with your specific insurer about their policies regarding driver awareness courses and how they obtain information about their clients' driving histories. Being proactive and providing honest information can help ensure that you maintain valid insurance coverage.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the insurance company. Some insurers will specifically ask if you've attended a driver awareness course, and you must answer truthfully. If they don't ask, you don't need to volunteer the information. However, it's always best to disclose all information to your insurer.
According to UKROEd, only a minority of insurers adjust premiums once notified that a driver has been on a driver awareness course. Attending a course helps you avoid getting points on your license, which can increase your insurance costs.
You will need to tell your insurer if you've received points on your license or a fixed penalty notice for speeding.
