Discussion
£85 and worth every penny look at the IAM site 'skill for life' http://www.iam.org.uk/eshop/membershipshop/sfl.htm and here for groups http://www.iam.org.uk/iamgroups/groupdirectory/
A couple of years ago I wrote this site to answer the questions people had about doing advanced driving courses... doesn't seem to be updated for 2008 but plenty of info there
http://www.bafam.org.uk/index.html
A couple of years ago I wrote this site to answer the questions people had about doing advanced driving courses... doesn't seem to be updated for 2008 but plenty of info there
http://www.bafam.org.uk/index.html
Edited by ian in lancs on Monday 14th January 23:09
Thought about this for a long time, in the past always shrugged it off as the exposure to the IAM I had via bikes was that of a group I didn't like the idea of. But for some reason get a different feeling now.
What sort of demographic goes to these things? I notice the local group does treasure hunts etc and I fancy learning/improving skills whilst meeting new like minded people (sounds like a dating ad!)
So what is it like? I take it the £85 includes the bi-weekly observed drives? I presume with an observer in the car rather than following behind?
What sort of demographic goes to these things? I notice the local group does treasure hunts etc and I fancy learning/improving skills whilst meeting new like minded people (sounds like a dating ad!)
So what is it like? I take it the £85 includes the bi-weekly observed drives? I presume with an observer in the car rather than following behind?
Polarbert said:
Can someone tell me something. If I've passed the IAM test, I can put that I've got an IAM licence on insurance stuff.
Am I still able to do that if I cancel my membership to the institute?
Yes, as you have still passed the test. Just keep youe original membership card. (Thats what I did)Am I still able to do that if I cancel my membership to the institute?
Essex9 said:
Waste of space, you can either drive safely or you cannot!!!
Thats what I always thought regarding the bike. And the way I've seen some IAM ride outs backed up my thought that in reality they were no safer and in come cases worse! I also had a thought that (based on observation) the riders that wanted to do it needed a piece of paper to say they were better than you. This was all based on what I had seen via a bike forum I use.I've not seen that with the car. Also I might pick up something useful too but moreover I fancy giving it a try to see what the social side is like too.
Personally i am looking to do it to try lower my insuarnce premium and to learn something new (potentially). Generally i feel i am a pretty good driver. I dont have accidents i drive in what i belive is a defensive manner rather than like a numpty. Stick to Speed limits residential and everywhere else go at the speed i feel the road traffic etc are safe to do.
Dizeee said:
Polarbert said:
Can someone tell me something. If I've passed the IAM test, I can put that I've got an IAM licence on insurance stuff.
Am I still able to do that if I cancel my membership to the institute?
Yes, as you have still passed the test. Just keep youe original membership card. (Thats what I did)Am I still able to do that if I cancel my membership to the institute?
Have you passed the IAM Test? Yes.
Are you currently a Full Member (means you have passed) of the IAM? No.
jimmyb said:
Personally i am looking to do it to try lower my insuarnce premium and to learn something new (potentially). Generally i feel i am a pretty good driver. I dont have accidents i drive in what i belive is a defensive manner rather than like a numpty. Stick to Speed limits residential and everywhere else go at the speed i feel the road traffic etc are safe to do.
I done the IAM test about 5 years ago, when I was 20. I got for free as the guy I worked with was high up in the IAM and took me out himself 
He was a fantastic teacher. And after I passed (first time) my next years insurance dropped £600 from £1200 odd to £600 odd.
Thats £600 off!!!!
Really, really worth doing.
I completed the motorcycle part of the IAM in 2004, and found it worthwhile. I thought that I was a good rider, but the course taught me a few bits, mainly positioning, where you should be looking etc.
I probably save around 5-10% on insurance premiums throughout my toy range, so even with a £30 saving, it won't take long to pay itself back. It was also a good reason to go out on a Saturday morning blast, with a likeminded instructor.
I too, though, was unimpressed with the social aspects on the motorcyle side.
I probably save around 5-10% on insurance premiums throughout my toy range, so even with a £30 saving, it won't take long to pay itself back. It was also a good reason to go out on a Saturday morning blast, with a likeminded instructor.
I too, though, was unimpressed with the social aspects on the motorcyle side.
Does it make a difference insurance wise usually?
I'm probably going to have to start insuring in my own name in the next few months after I graduate and need to do as much as I can to bring costs down, as I had a fault claim 1 year ago.
I have been thinking of doing an IAM course anyway but it would be doubly useful if it was good for insurance as well.
I'm probably going to have to start insuring in my own name in the next few months after I graduate and need to do as much as I can to bring costs down, as I had a fault claim 1 year ago.
I have been thinking of doing an IAM course anyway but it would be doubly useful if it was good for insurance as well.
H_Kan said:
Does it make a difference insurance wise usually?
I'm probably going to have to start insuring in my own name in the next few months after I graduate and need to do as much as I can to bring costs down, as I had a fault claim 1 year ago.
I have been thinking of doing an IAM course anyway but it would be doubly useful if it was good for insurance as well.
Well - it can do. For a start you may well find as a young driver with a new policy that Pass Plus helps your premium (Costs more to do as you have to do it with a ADI!) but that some insurers also give a discount for IAM/ROSPA. My insurer (Norwich Union) *does* for example.I'm probably going to have to start insuring in my own name in the next few months after I graduate and need to do as much as I can to bring costs down, as I had a fault claim 1 year ago.
I have been thinking of doing an IAM course anyway but it would be doubly useful if it was good for insurance as well.
IAM Select can sometimes beat premiums by other insurers. It helped on my Vectra...but not on my Porsche. I wouldn't necessarily do the IAM purely for premium reduction - might help, might not...
You can take, however, the view that if the IAM course helps you to drive more safely afterwards that you will eliminate - or substantially reduce - the chance of being in a "at fault" accident - thus keeping your premiums down that way...
The other thing that people often forget is that IF you love driving it can be FUN! Sure its got a worthy "road safety improvement" side to it. But it also has the "We Like Driving Club" side to it as well. Provided you get on with your Observer you'll probably find all sorts of roads that you've never been on before that are great fun to drive. And you'll spend some good few hours driving on them - how bad can that BE if you're a PHer.
Go for it.
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