What is Star Rider Certificate and other stuff??
Discussion
My insurance shafted me by deciding that they do not insure Grp15 bikes and will not change my policy over to the Sprint. I've had to now cancel my policy 4 months into it and lose the start I had made towards my first years no claims. I had asked about changing over to this bike when I took out the policy so I'm not too happy now.
Anyway, I've had to start trawling through the insurance websites again and I keep seeing this Star Rider Certificate thing coming up. What is it? Google doesn't come up with anything in a search.
Is there any advanced training that gets a significant discount?
How many miles/years experience is generally needed/expected before doing the advanced tests?
I know I could probably go out and start the training tomorrow but would I really benefit from it without having a decent amount of miles under my belt or would it be better to wait till after summer when I've got a few thousand miles in.
Cheers
Andy
Anyway, I've had to start trawling through the insurance websites again and I keep seeing this Star Rider Certificate thing coming up. What is it? Google doesn't come up with anything in a search.
Is there any advanced training that gets a significant discount?
How many miles/years experience is generally needed/expected before doing the advanced tests?
I know I could probably go out and start the training tomorrow but would I really benefit from it without having a decent amount of miles under my belt or would it be better to wait till after summer when I've got a few thousand miles in.
Cheers
Andy
I did a RideDrive course which is recognised by my Insurers - Bike Team. It saved me £300 on renewing my Aprilia - which is group 17 out of 17 IIRC. It is only £600 to comprehensively insure two sportsbikes.
Accredited Course
Accredited Course
Hi there,
Here's an explanation to clear up various advanced courses and certifications, with their likely insurance discounts ...
RideDrive's OCN course. I've done a 6h Intro Advanced with RideDrive and had a superb day - top fun and very valuable. However, one day was only touching the surface and their 3-day OCN course is the one you need for a sizeable insurance discount. I did the Advanced Intro quite soon after passing my DAS, which was fine. Training is done by professionals with massive expertise. See www.advanced-motorcycle-training.co.uk/
Mac Rider Training runs a bit like RideDrive, with a similar top level of professional instruction. Mac courses can be shorter, but more expensive per day, than RideDrive. Mac has a deal with some insurers for a discount on course completion. Check out www.macdrivertraining.co.uk/macriders.asp
Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is the most recognised course for an insurance discount. The course costs £85. I've done the car course, which saved me nearly £500 off my car insurance the year I passed and £400 the following year, so I plan to do IAM on the bike too. Look up the Skills for Life course at www.iam.org.uk Training is done by volunteers, who are knowledgeable, albeit without the wealth of expertise from the likes of RideDrive. (I later coached the car course myself.) Many people go successfully straight from DAS to starting IAM training. Local IAM groups tend to have a very active rideout and social scene. In addition to the standard IAM course, you can progress to a higher award called the IAM Special Assessment. Although the Special Assessment is arguably a higher standard than RoSPA Gold, you are more likely to get a better insurance discount for RoSPA Gold. (I've done both in the car.)
RoSPA runs like the IAM. It's a smaller organisation than the IAM, but the RoSPA Gold award is considered the highest civilian riding qualification in the UK. RoSPA Gold is the riding standard required to become an advanced instructor yourself. Some insurers, such as Bennett's, reward it accordingly with a large discount. Like the IAM, local RoSPA groups tend to have an active rideout and social scene. Due to the higher standards, RoSPA tutors can be more knowledgeable than IAM coaches, although neither is professional. Check out www.roada.org.uk
BMF Blue Ribband - This is a similar course to the IAM. The main differences are more professional trainers, but less knowledgeable examiners, than the IAM. Like the IAM and RoSPA, you'll get a good insurance discount from most insurers for a BMF Blue Ribband. Unlike the IAM and RoSPA, there's no associated social scene or local groups. The BMF also offer a lesser award, BMF RiderPlus, which is aimed at new riders but won't secure an insurance discount. (I've done it and it was a brilliant thing to do straight after DAS.)
This link should add to the above explanations: www.secondsteprts.co.uk/coursewith.html
In addition, there's also BikeSafe. Most people seem to know about this, although it's a good intro to advanced riding and not a full advanced course.
Hope this helps answer your question!!
Cheers
Here's an explanation to clear up various advanced courses and certifications, with their likely insurance discounts ...
RideDrive's OCN course. I've done a 6h Intro Advanced with RideDrive and had a superb day - top fun and very valuable. However, one day was only touching the surface and their 3-day OCN course is the one you need for a sizeable insurance discount. I did the Advanced Intro quite soon after passing my DAS, which was fine. Training is done by professionals with massive expertise. See www.advanced-motorcycle-training.co.uk/
Mac Rider Training runs a bit like RideDrive, with a similar top level of professional instruction. Mac courses can be shorter, but more expensive per day, than RideDrive. Mac has a deal with some insurers for a discount on course completion. Check out www.macdrivertraining.co.uk/macriders.asp
Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is the most recognised course for an insurance discount. The course costs £85. I've done the car course, which saved me nearly £500 off my car insurance the year I passed and £400 the following year, so I plan to do IAM on the bike too. Look up the Skills for Life course at www.iam.org.uk Training is done by volunteers, who are knowledgeable, albeit without the wealth of expertise from the likes of RideDrive. (I later coached the car course myself.) Many people go successfully straight from DAS to starting IAM training. Local IAM groups tend to have a very active rideout and social scene. In addition to the standard IAM course, you can progress to a higher award called the IAM Special Assessment. Although the Special Assessment is arguably a higher standard than RoSPA Gold, you are more likely to get a better insurance discount for RoSPA Gold. (I've done both in the car.)
RoSPA runs like the IAM. It's a smaller organisation than the IAM, but the RoSPA Gold award is considered the highest civilian riding qualification in the UK. RoSPA Gold is the riding standard required to become an advanced instructor yourself. Some insurers, such as Bennett's, reward it accordingly with a large discount. Like the IAM, local RoSPA groups tend to have an active rideout and social scene. Due to the higher standards, RoSPA tutors can be more knowledgeable than IAM coaches, although neither is professional. Check out www.roada.org.uk
BMF Blue Ribband - This is a similar course to the IAM. The main differences are more professional trainers, but less knowledgeable examiners, than the IAM. Like the IAM and RoSPA, you'll get a good insurance discount from most insurers for a BMF Blue Ribband. Unlike the IAM and RoSPA, there's no associated social scene or local groups. The BMF also offer a lesser award, BMF RiderPlus, which is aimed at new riders but won't secure an insurance discount. (I've done it and it was a brilliant thing to do straight after DAS.)
This link should add to the above explanations: www.secondsteprts.co.uk/coursewith.html
In addition, there's also BikeSafe. Most people seem to know about this, although it's a good intro to advanced riding and not a full advanced course.
Hope this helps answer your question!!
Cheers
Cheers for that, I'll check out all the links.
I'm already signed up for the IAM car stuff, not so much for insurance but just to see what standard I'm at.
The bmf one sounds like it might be a good starting point. I'll have to get the 1000 mile run in finished as soon as the bike turns up!!!!
I'm already signed up for the IAM car stuff, not so much for insurance but just to see what standard I'm at.
The bmf one sounds like it might be a good starting point. I'll have to get the 1000 mile run in finished as soon as the bike turns up!!!!
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