Insurance question - is IAM membership necessary?

[saladdays]

I passed my IAM test two years ago. My membership lapsed last year.

I'm now doing my car insurance renewal. My insurance is asking "Have you passed any additional driving qualifications?"

Is it necessary to continue to be a IAM member? Or is it like passing GSCE maths in that the qualification lasts forever?

Thanks.

[gtsralph]

I keep my membership up to date and go to local drive outs a couple of times each year, one to get views of me driving, second to observe examiners' driving... I have never had a discount on insurance through IAM membership.

[saladdays]

I'm with RAC and last year my insurance was £250 (with IAM) vs £450 (without IAM).

This is from comparethemarket.com


I think I'll renew my IAM membership.

[brisel]

Many insurers don t discount for IAM/RoSPA and one of mine in the past (NFU Mutual I think) said that after 3 years post test they see no benefit anyway. I declare mine anyway and I ll be renewing my Masters every 3 years so hopefully that s worth something to my premia.

I did ask Cornmarket, IAM s partner insurer to quote but they were nearly double the competition with the so called discount.

Not one of the other insurers I have used since 2008 when I passed the initial IAM exam asked how long ago I had done the test nor whether my subscription was current.

[Sheepshanks]

brisel said:

Many insurers don t discount for IAM/RoSPA and one of mine in the past (NFU Mutual I think) said that after 3 years post test they see no benefit anyway.

I had to take the RoSPA training and exam at work and remember being told the pass was valid for 3yrs.

[Sheepshanks]

saladdays said:

I'm with RAC and last year my insurance was £250 (with IAM) vs £450 (without IAM).

This is from comparethemarket.com


I think I'll renew my IAM membership.

Disappointing result for me, I've been looking at one of our cars and adding Advanced Driver pass to the comparison site - I compared the prices of a few companies with and without the AD pass, including the RAC, and it made no difference.

Edited by Sheepshanks on Sunday 18th January 18:43

[Pica-Pica]

gtsralph said:

I keep my membership up to date and go to local drive outs a couple of times each year, one to get views of me driving, second to observe examiners' driving... I have never had a discount on insurance through IAM membership.

Me neither, as a long-standing IAM member. I think age, years experience, and freedom from claims trumps IAM membership

[Nozzasti]

24 Years IAM member here, I would shop around, can get it cheaper.

[brisel]

Sheepshanks said:

I had to take the RoSPA training and exam at work and remember being told the pass was valid for 3yrs.

The shelf life of the qualification and the insurance discount are not related.

IAM Masters lasts 5 years and IAM Fellowship lasts 3 years. You are correct about the ROADAR lifespan.

[Techno9000]

saladdays said:

I passed my IAM test two years ago. My membership lapsed last year.

I'm now doing my car insurance renewal. My insurance is asking "Have you passed any additional driving qualifications?"

Is it necessary to continue to be a IAM member? Or is it like passing GSCE maths in that the qualification lasts forever?

Thanks.

Don't overthink it.
Answer the question posed!
You passed the test, an additional driving qualification.

I can't remember an insurer asking me when the qualification was gained or indeed proof of it, however I have the certificate for such an eventuality.

[Majorslow]

I agree with Tempo

You took a "advanced" driving test in year "X"

They didn't ask if you were a member of Rospa or IAM

Same as when they ask if you have done "Pass Plus" you only take that once

I was in both IAM and RoSPA, I think RoSPA is the better organisation as you have to renew/take test every 3 years to remain a member, so if you do and get a "Gold" it shows you are keeping your skills up.

Neither has ever really got me a discount on insurance, IAM "Suriety" are really expensive, definitely shop around.

Both have really poor mags that come out hardly worth the paper they print it on