| That little letter "awarding" us points on our licence is | | | | may find it does not affect his or her policy |
| something we all dread and unfortunately many of us | | | | anywhere near as much as a younger driver, seen as |
| may experience this at one point or other during our | | | | less experienced and a higher risk in the insurer's |
| driving career. | | | | eyes. Indeed, if you are unfortunate enough to be |
| Indeed, over the next year it is predicted that 1.5 | | | | under the age of 25 and receive points on your |
| million drivers will find themselves landed with penalty | | | | licence it can cost you dearly. |
| points. Assuming an average £60 fine, this | | | | It is worth noting that some police forces have |
| equates to around £90 million in fines. | | | | introduced speed awareness courses that in some |
| The big question is: just how does this impact upon | | | | circumstances will allow you to avoid the three points |
| your insurance policy and does the price rise | | | | on your licence in exchange for attending a day's |
| exponentially with each successive set of points you | | | | course. |
| receive? | | | | This is only offered to those who have exceeded |
| The answer it seems can be both yes and no. Most | | | | the speed limit by a small margin (for example less |
| insurers say that for a single speeding offence, | | | | than 38 mph in a 30 mph zone). Some forces |
| especially one dealt with without need for a court | | | | operate a lower tolerance level than this - and don't |
| appearance and where the driver is otherwise | | | | forget that you will be charged for attending the |
| considered to be "low risk", the cost is likely to be | | | | course, usually the same amount as the fine would |
| fairly minimal. | | | | have been. And you will have to take a day off |
| However, all that changes for a second offence. | | | | work. |
| According to communications company Tiscali you | | | | Of course it is best if you can avoid getting points on |
| can expect your car insurance policy to rise by 30% | | | | your licence in the first place, if you can help it. |
| on average if you are caught speeding twice and a | | | | Driving responsibly and within the speed limit will help |
| possible 60% if you are caught speeding for a third | | | | ensure the safety of not only yourself but those |
| time within a 5-year period. | | | | around you. |
| Of course, things are not always as clear-cut as this | | | | If you do find yourself on the receiving end of a set |
| and many other factors can affect the way this | | | | of points the best thing you can do is to shop around |
| impacts on your policy. If you have also suffered an | | | | and not accept the first quote you receive. |
| accident and claimed on your insurance policy, this | | | | It is also important you don't "forget" to tell your |
| combined with the points you have received can | | | | insurer of your points as you will find your motor |
| cause a much bigger rise than either factor taken | | | | insurance policy instantly voided should they find out |
| into consideration separately. | | | | you have not disclosed them. |
| An older driver with several years' no-claims bonus | | | | |