Discussion
Hi all,
I received 3 points nearly 4 years ago. It will be 4 years at the end of the month. I understand I can have these points removed from my license at the end of September, and once again, have a clean license.
With this in mind, why must I continue to inform my insurance company until such time as I've been point free for *5* years? Where does this 5 years come from? Surely a clean license is a clean license - I've recevied my punishment, served my 'term' yet insurance companies see fit to prolong this?
What, therefore, is the point in allowing us to have points removed after 4 years if yet again I must pay more for my insurance despite it being over 4 years?
I received 3 points nearly 4 years ago. It will be 4 years at the end of the month. I understand I can have these points removed from my license at the end of September, and once again, have a clean license.
With this in mind, why must I continue to inform my insurance company until such time as I've been point free for *5* years? Where does this 5 years come from? Surely a clean license is a clean license - I've recevied my punishment, served my 'term' yet insurance companies see fit to prolong this?
What, therefore, is the point in allowing us to have points removed after 4 years if yet again I must pay more for my insurance despite it being over 4 years?
[TW]Fox said:
Hi all,
I received 3 points nearly 4 years ago. It will be 4 years at the end of the month. I understand I can have these points removed from my license at the end of September, and once again, have a clean license.
With this in mind, why must I continue to inform my insurance company until such time as I've been point free for *5* years? Where does this 5 years come from? Surely a clean license is a clean license - I've recevied my punishment, served my 'term' yet insurance companies see fit to prolong this?
What, therefore, is the point in allowing us to have points removed after 4 years if yet again I must pay more for my insurance despite it being over 4 years?
It's a conviction which resulted in a fine, it must be disclosed under Rehabilitation of Offenders Act for 5 years.I received 3 points nearly 4 years ago. It will be 4 years at the end of the month. I understand I can have these points removed from my license at the end of September, and once again, have a clean license.
With this in mind, why must I continue to inform my insurance company until such time as I've been point free for *5* years? Where does this 5 years come from? Surely a clean license is a clean license - I've recevied my punishment, served my 'term' yet insurance companies see fit to prolong this?
What, therefore, is the point in allowing us to have points removed after 4 years if yet again I must pay more for my insurance despite it being over 4 years?
Insurance companies are not part of the legal process in respect of traffic legislation. They 'underwrite' risks of all types and work on a basic set of criteria to determine the probability of having to pay out against an insured risk. This then sets the premium.
Thus, whilst your points don't count after 3 years for 'totting-up' towards disqualification, the insurers need that information to determine what risk you are likely to involve them in during the period for which they have contracted to insure you. Calculation of risk for all types of insurance is very technical and is determined by a range of factors which, fed into risk tables (computers these days), gives the appropriate level of premium.
That's why there is no 'linkage' between points on or off your licence, and the insurance premium you will pay if you have or have not accrued points in the last 5 years.
Thus, whilst your points don't count after 3 years for 'totting-up' towards disqualification, the insurers need that information to determine what risk you are likely to involve them in during the period for which they have contracted to insure you. Calculation of risk for all types of insurance is very technical and is determined by a range of factors which, fed into risk tables (computers these days), gives the appropriate level of premium.
That's why there is no 'linkage' between points on or off your licence, and the insurance premium you will pay if you have or have not accrued points in the last 5 years.
What's perhaps more bizarre is that, with my current insurer at least, they only want details of fault accidents in the last 3 years, but speeding offences within the last 5 years.
I take it they think somebody who did, say, 75 in a 70 4.5 years ago is sufficiently more of a risk than somebody who, say, caused a 10 car pile up 3.5 years ago
I take it they think somebody who did, say, 75 in a 70 4.5 years ago is sufficiently more of a risk than somebody who, say, caused a 10 car pile up 3.5 years ago
[TW]Fox said:
What's perhaps more bizarre is that, with my current insurer at least, they only want details of fault accidents in the last 3 years, but speeding offences within the last 5 years.
I take it they think somebody who did, say, 75 in a 70 4.5 years ago is sufficiently more of a risk than somebody who, say, caused a 10 car pile up 3.5 years ago
It's to do with money. The insurance companies found a way to make a fortune from increased premiums for named drivers over the last 5 or 6 years. Thay have made a killing and now they are now trying to entice you by claiming they will not charge you any extra.I take it they think somebody who did, say, 75 in a 70 4.5 years ago is sufficiently more of a risk than somebody who, say, caused a 10 car pile up 3.5 years ago
When I had 6 points on my licence I drove very carefully so I must have been a better risk. That is of course the claimed purpose of points, they are a warning to make you alter your habits - if it works you will be a "safer" driver won't you?
You have to tell the ins company about convictions in the last 5 years, because that is what they ask you, and you have to answer the questions honestly.
I also think it is bizare that they care more about points than accidents more than 3 years ago. However, any accident will probably allready be on their data base. Also, any accident which was an "at fault big one" will also have attracted some points as well.
This may be subjective, but not all ins comps really hamer your premium just for a few speeding points. Its a competitive market, and the more people with points, the more it is worth getting those customers. If your company is using them as an excuse for a high premium, then shop around.
Finaly, when my 4 years were up ( nearly ten years ago ) I did not bother getting them removed as I objected to having to pay for this. At the time, I thought I would be moving house shortly, and was hoping they would disapear when the change of address was done. For several reasons, we never moved, so I never sent the licence in. Now, the points are still on, but dated a long time ago. This clearly shows my licence has been clean since then ( touching a bit of wood here ) so now I am pleased that I left them on. As it was a lot more than 5 years ago, I never mentiion then when getting quotes anymore. On several occasions I have sent copies of my licence to ins companies, and they have never commented on them.
I also think it is bizare that they care more about points than accidents more than 3 years ago. However, any accident will probably allready be on their data base. Also, any accident which was an "at fault big one" will also have attracted some points as well.
This may be subjective, but not all ins comps really hamer your premium just for a few speeding points. Its a competitive market, and the more people with points, the more it is worth getting those customers. If your company is using them as an excuse for a high premium, then shop around.
Finaly, when my 4 years were up ( nearly ten years ago ) I did not bother getting them removed as I objected to having to pay for this. At the time, I thought I would be moving house shortly, and was hoping they would disapear when the change of address was done. For several reasons, we never moved, so I never sent the licence in. Now, the points are still on, but dated a long time ago. This clearly shows my licence has been clean since then ( touching a bit of wood here ) so now I am pleased that I left them on. As it was a lot more than 5 years ago, I never mentiion then when getting quotes anymore. On several occasions I have sent copies of my licence to ins companies, and they have never commented on them.
Another item to look out for --- reporting non fault/cost claims.
Last year I had someone reverse into the front of mine at a garage - no damage,but reported to insurance co as an incident with no claim or costs.This year got renewal notice , and went on line with the broker - approx £30 more on renewal.
I asked why - was it due to on-line discount ,in which case i wanted it to renew .Answer - you reported an incident last year - that's why your renewal is higher .Needless to say they were requested to set the record straight or risk FSA involvement --I ended up with extra discount to compensate.
Last year I had someone reverse into the front of mine at a garage - no damage,but reported to insurance co as an incident with no claim or costs.This year got renewal notice , and went on line with the broker - approx £30 more on renewal.
I asked why - was it due to on-line discount ,in which case i wanted it to renew .Answer - you reported an incident last year - that's why your renewal is higher .Needless to say they were requested to set the record straight or risk FSA involvement --I ended up with extra discount to compensate.
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