IAM qual effect on insurance premiums
IAM qual effect on insurance premiums
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Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

84 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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[redacted]

Starfighter

5,350 posts

208 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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Speaking as a car driver and long time IAM and RoADA member I would say very little. My experience says that those insurers that do specifically offer discounts tend to be cherry picking the low risks anyway - area, car driver, accident profiles focussed on lower claims rates. A number of those will be a good overlap to IAM targeting for membership.

The biggest benefit to it will get is the improvements to vision, planning and handling that reduce the likelyhood of an accident.

hiccy18

4,173 posts

97 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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I've not even bothered to tell my insurer after passing last year.

Brewsters

85 posts

54 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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I did rospa and passed at gold - doesn’t make any difference to premiums but as mentioned, will or should make you a safer rider. If you’re only doing it to save money then don’t bother as the cost of doing it will not be clawed back.

Do it if you want to make good progress whilst reducing risks to yourself and others.

OverSteery

3,794 posts

261 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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cards on the table - I am an a keen IAM observer

Minimal, if any, cost saving.

Most people who do it, seem to enjoy it and feel it was worthwhile.

dibblecorse

7,621 posts

222 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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anonymous said:
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Not enough to pay for the obligatory POLITE vest you'll be shopping for.

black-k1

12,803 posts

259 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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What's the positive? Understanding how ride a bike on the road in a way that alows for rapid progress while being as safe as possible, and showing you can do it, is not enough?

Biker9090

1,890 posts

67 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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fk all difference.

Make sure you get a good observer and ensure you tell them what you want out of membership and if it's available.

I never bothered with my test with TVAM as the lessons bored me senseless half the time - fannying around with what foot I should use at a stop or what position you should be in in a 30mph zone. Attitudes and ideas on what's right vary GREATLY and can cause confusion. I'm only a member at the moment for their off road courses, haven't decided if I'll remq8n after that.

Part of it is no doubt my own lack of patience with it but there is a lot wrong with the group - a national observer agreed with me on this.


Pica-Pica

16,643 posts

114 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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Nothing. History and years of experience count for more with insurers. I have never had any more off for being an IAM member.

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
That seems like a lot, do you commute into a city centre?

Marquezs Stabilisers

2,531 posts

91 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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Previous posts from OP indicate that he has a long commute, and IIRC a commute into a major northern city commonly associated with crime

KTMsm

28,982 posts

293 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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I did it and thought it was worthwhile, particularly if you get it on offer at a show, it's about half price

Never mentioned it to my insurer

GSA_fattie

2,423 posts

251 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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black-k1 said:
What's the positive? Understanding how ride a bike on the road in a way that alows for rapid progress while being as safe as possible, and showing you can do it, is not enough?
the OP was asking about IAM not other private training providers smile




black-k1

12,803 posts

259 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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GSA_fattie said:
black-k1 said:
What's the positive? Understanding how ride a bike on the road in a way that alows for rapid progress while being as safe as possible, and showing you can do it, is not enough?
the OP was asking about IAM not other private training providers smile
biggrin

Kinky

39,944 posts

299 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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I find the [car] saving is a few £ each year.

I do the usual shopping comparisons, etc, then phone CornMarket (IAM insurance broker) and they do come in cheaper most of the time. But not all.

However, is it worth the ~£25 annual membership fee? IHMO no. I don't use the IAM for anything else. I think it's gone up this year too.

But I would the training thumbup

Pica-Pica

16,643 posts

114 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
I see no issue with engine braking, per se.
However
a) when slowing, you should be aware who is behind and how they are being informed of your change in speed, all that is part of the thought process that should go into driving.
b) any unnecessary load on the engine is undesirable.
c) my discs became pitted and corroded and needed replacing early after sitting for a long time during CoVID, so I ensure the discs are occasionally used on, say, long descents to give them a ‘skim’

outnumbered

4,878 posts

264 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
So you mean you don't want to learn how to ride better then ? I suspect you haven't fully understood what the observer said.

Slowing down using "acceleration sense", i.e. rolling off the throttle can be perfectly fine if you only need a small speed adjustment. It's only braking your back wheel of course.

If you want to be more progressive, which is a key aspect of advanced riding, you need to be using the brakes to slow down, especially the front which gives more stopping power on a bike.

Giving a signal to following traffic is also a consideration if there is any traffic about.



Edited by outnumbered on Sunday 30th April 16:25

black-k1

12,803 posts

259 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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For me, the point of advanced training is to find things exactly like that where there is a reason to do things differently. I too like to use engine braking more than the likes of the IAM might recommend, especially as I now have a down quick shifter, but lightly dragging the rear brake will put the brake light on to let anyone behind know I'm slowing.

Listen to what they have to say, understand the reasons why an approach is recommended then adapt your riding accordingly. Simply saying "I want to do it like this" or "I've always done it that way and not had a problem" is hardly a considered judgement when the alternatives are presented with justification as to why they may be better.

None of us are good enough (except BN of course! biggrin ) to not be able to learn how to be better.

66mpg

700 posts

137 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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anonymous said:
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Surely the observer was riding behind you? It would be courteous to give an indication that you were decelerating by at least lightly touching the rear brake pedal enough to bring the light on.

vindaloo79

1,244 posts

110 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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I have just run a quote for ninja 1000 sx with and without IAM pass and membership as I was sure I was saving £80 but expected to be incorrect when I stated so.

So that being the only difference worked out at over £100 discount on confused dot com.

Bike sure was £384 with and £495 without.
Kwak was cheapest at £373 ish with and £475 without.

I personally benefitted a great deal from IAM and had two great (but differing observers). I am safer, faster and more observant as a result. Well worth the £135 ish (after voucher code found online googling). As an offering I felt the price was too cheap, but I did have 10-11 sessions due to lay off over winter slowing progress and Covid.