Taking a driving
course can lower your insurance rates. If you have points on
your record, a driving course can remove some of them. If you
don't have points on your record, you can get a even lower rate than
your current one. Many insurance companies recognize the
importance of reinforcing good driving habits and practices and
reward their customers for making this effort.
According
to the National Safety Council (www.nsc.org, 630-285-1121), 28
states allow up to three points to be subtracted from the total on
your driving record if you have received violations within 18 months
before course completion. Also, 34 states offer insurance discounts
of up to 10%. "In other states where all companies are required by
law to offer a discount, individual companies operating in those
states offer premium reduction," says Thomas Chartoff, a New Jersey
police officer and defensive driving instructor. Insurance points,
which are assigned by your individual insurance carrier, are used to
determine the cost of your auto insurance and, therefore, are not
reduced upon course completion.
Since the courses are for experienced drivers, don't expect
driving instruction basics. Also, don't expect to take a vehicle out
on the open road. You actually sit in a classroom for an all-day
seminar that has a quiz at the end. The quiz is designed to see if
you were listening and has no impact on getting the course
certificate at completion, "The courses don't teach you how to
drive; they teach correct driving techniques," says Chartoff. Topics
include judging distance and being proactive instead of reactive.
Chartoff mentions that the content of each course will be slightly
different depending on the instruction. Course duration is usually
six to eight hours and is typically intended for traffic violators;
repeat offenders/problem drivers; traffic violators ages 16 to 24;
and professional truck, van, and fleet drivers.
