Notice Of Intended Prosecution - Disclosure To Insurance Company

[GlenB]

I have received a notice of intended prosecution for speeding (49 mph) in a 40 mph zone which I cannot deny. As this would be my first offence in over 40 years I am hoping and assuming that I may be offered the chance to attend a speed awareness course which I believe would be in lieu of a prosecution. If this were to be, would I have any obligation to inform my insurer? Also as I am currently arranging new insurance do I need to disclose it when obtaining quotes?

[Mass_Hysteria]

If you do get the opportunity to attend a speed awareness course you will not get points, therefore you do not need to inform your insurer, costs £80ish.

Note: course not available in Scotland, I found out the hard way!

[bednobs]

they usually send the course offer at the same time as the NIP don't they?

[DJHawkes]

Send off the form applying to do the course, do the course, no points, no need to tell insurers. However, when you do go to the course, keep your mouth shut about having a 40+ years clean driving record, the course leader will pounce on you and make you feel like a criminal as they love the first timers with years of clean driving. I was told this and kept quiet but at my course some gobby mare let it be known how indignant she was at being caught after decades of offense free driving and the course leader made her feel so small it was cringeworthy,

[Mass_Hysteria]

After you've admitted the offence you then get the choice of paying the fine (with points) or opting for the course, if available, without points.

[New Judge]

You need to read your policy document before taking the advice offered by DJHawkes.

Some insurers now lump speed awareness courses along with convictions and their T&Cs say that (words to the effect) "you must tell us if you are convicted of any offence, or accept any fixed penalty, or accept any other disposal in place of a conviction".

"Any other disposal" will include a speed awareness course so read your policy carefully.

[Hopkirk]

That may be true NJ, but how would they find out if you didn't tell them?

They wouldn't, so I would keep schtum myself.

[New Judge]

Very true, they may not find out.

And provided the policyholder makes no claims, or only makes claims of small value, all may be well. However, should GlenB knock a young stockbroker (married with three children) off his motorbike and his insurers face a personal injury claim running into six or seven figures he will find it amazing the lengths they will go to in order to establish that he has told them the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - and believe me they have ways of finding information which is not usually available.

Since the idea of Third Party motor insurance is not only to comply with the law but also to protect oneself from such claims, I would be inclined to tell them - especially as a single instance of speeding will make little if any difference to the premium.

[EDDIE51]

Yes, you have an obligation to tell your new insurer and to put it in your request for quotes . Failure to do so will mean your insurance will be void it the event of a claim and you can be charged with driving without insurance.
You do not know at this stage even if you will get a chance of a speed awareness course and as NJ says many companies now class any type of speeding penalty the same way as points or a fine.

[GlenB]

Thanks to all of you. Your comments have been very helpful and are much appreciated.

[DC_FC]

Not all counties do the course. Yes tell your insurance, my offence made little or no difference to my policy when I next renewed it.