IAM qual effect on insurance premiums
Discussion
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.
The biggest benefit to it will get is the improvements to vision, planning and handling that reduce the likelyhood of an accident.
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.
Do it if you want to make good progress whilst reducing risks to yourself and others.
f
k 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.
k 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.
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
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
Hugo Stiglitz said:
I've decided against doing the IAM. The instructor said he didn't like me using engine braking as it risks being rear ended if people behind don't see a brake light on and I should just use the brakes.
There was no one near me and that's how I drive bike or car.
I see no issue with engine braking, per se.There was no one near me and that's how I drive bike or car.
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’
Hugo Stiglitz said:
I've decided against doing the IAM. The instructor said he didn't like me using engine braking as it risks being rear ended if people behind don't see a brake light on and I should just use the brakes.
There was no one near me and that's how I drive bike or car.
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.There was no one near me and that's how I drive bike or car.
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
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!
) to not be able to learn how to be better.
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!
) to not be able to learn how to be better. Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff