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