Speeding Ticket

[Caran]

OH has received a speeding ticket by post when he went to Cardiff to watch the rugby match. He was doing 36 in a 30 mile limit.
What can he expect to happen. Will he be asked to go on a Speed Awareness Course, or will he get points and a fine?
Thanks for any advice.

[tonyav]

Probably will get the choice of a speed awareness course if it's his first speeding offence I think, Caran.

[Caran]

Thank you tonyav. That is what he is hoping for. He believes that would not affect his insurance.

[Caran]

Just remembered, he did get done for speeding in France last year. He thinks that maybe not recorded here, hopefully!

[tonyav]

If he does go on a speed awareness course then I think you still have to inform the insurance company. Shouldn't affect his premium very much though.

[tonyav]

The French thing shouldn't be on his record here I think.

[THECORBYLOON]

Not all insurers ask about speed awareness courses and if they do not ask, there is no need to tell them.

[Davemano]

If he has received a speeding ticket, he should have, or will be offered three options. To attend a SAC, Pay the fixed penalty. Dispute it and attend a court hearing. It has been said that his insurance company doesn't have to be told but that is not correct. He has committed a Road Traffic Act offence and is obliged to tell them in accordance with the provisions of his insurance.

[SirOracle]

Seconded Dave. He should inform his Insurer as this is a "material fact".

This duty to disclose must be done at the renewal date of the policy.

[vulcan42]

I attended a speed awareness course a couple of years ago, it's run by the AA by the way, not the Police. we were told we didn't have to inform our insurance companies, are you saying the AA are giving out false information? They should know the right procedure, they also sell insurance.

[THECORBYLOON]

A few weeks ago there was a bit about these courses on the radio and the need to disclose them for insurance purposes or no. There was a expert speaking and he said that if an insurer asks about the speed course, a truthful answer must be given and insurers may or may not increase the premium as a result. He said that if a insurer does not ask about the course, there is NO obligation to disclose it.

[Davemano]

Vulcan - what I am saying is that any Road Traffic offence has to be reported in accordance with the terms of the policy. There are a number of companies on google who confirm this requirement. If the AA don't want notifying it may be a different matter when a claim is made.
Corby - seems a strange thing for a broadcaster to say, 'if the insurer doesn't ask about the course there is NO obligation to disclose it' How could the insurer ask anything if he doesn't know about it. Suggest check the conditions on your policies.

[waterboatman]

May be given the option Caren. The speed awareness course is not free though, but it does mean he won't get the points.

[THECORBYLOON]

'How could the insurer ask anything if he doesn't know about it.' The same way the insurer finds out about offences, they ask about it when a policy is proposed of renewed, it's not difficult to ask, 'Have you participated in a speed awareness course in the last whatever period?'

[bednobs]

i find it really odd tht he has been sent the ticket, but not told what to do next.

[Maydup]

Different counties use different organisations to deliver these courses. The message here and one of the selling points for taking the course, is that there is no need to tell the insurance company.

Mind you, a single first offence speeding endorsement is unlikely to have an affect on the premiums anyway.

[Davemano]

Corby - No I haven't, but note second line by Sir Oracle at 01.09. See also Go Compare who leave one in no doubt what they want to know.

[jd_1984]

In almost exactly the same circumstances (I was caught at 35mph)
I was given the option of £60 and 3 points or the awareness course, at a cost of £80. It should stipulate on the notice that will be sent to your home address within 2 weeks of the incident.

[SirOracle]

Thank you Dave.

I normally ignore the rubbish posted on this subject,but where the wrongful advice given could cause extremely serious consequences,I usually interject.

A contract of Insurance is not similar to any other contract,in that it is subject to "Uberimus Fidei "(the Utmost Good Faith) - Not "Caveat Emptor" (let the buyer beware.

This means that EVERY fact which could influence the Insurers judgement MUST be disclosed,whether asked for or not by the Insurer.

I am a former lecturer in this subject for the Chartered Insurance Institute for their professional examinations.

[SirOracle]

Sorry typo " Uberrima Fides"

[Caran]

He just has to fill in the details that are asked IE, name, address etc and that he was the driver. He was going to send an apologetic letter but I advised against that.
Last year I had a parking ticket. I sent a cheque with an apologetic letter.
A while later I had a letter from them threatening me with I cannot remember what, for nonpayment. I checked my bank statement, they had cashed the cheque.
I phoned them and was told, if you send anything with the cheque it is classed as appealing against it and it is forwarded to another department for consideration.
I explained I was not appealing and had enclosed a cheque. They said they would look into it. Never heard from them again.