Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

If so, please let me know what Insurance company and on which website did you take the course? Thanks!

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

I just looked into this -- do you live in NY? if so the online defensive driving courses are accepted by most insurance co's for drivers in ny yet. sorry! i have a good place to take it if you are interested - in seaford.

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

You can usually find out on your Insurance company's website if they accept the on line course or not.

We are with Geico and they do not accept the on line courses yet. They have plans to in the future though.

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

SF does not accept it either.

Def call your insurance company.

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

I have Geico, just checked and they don't accept online courses.

Can somebody recommend a place in either Queens or Nassau? Thanks!

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

Actually today is the first day that you can take in New York State and it count towards points and/or an insurance discount

There are four approved providers as of this am- if you are a AAA member and go to their website they are affiliated with one company and offering a discount of 10%

hth

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

I just called Geico. They told me that they do not accept online course certifications for the state of NY yet.

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

Here is the press release from NY State

Press Release

As for insurance carriers not accepting it, I will see what I can find out- eta- I just emailed my contact at the DMV who handles Driver Training Programs. I will update as soon as I hear back.

Message edited 5/18/2009 2:16:53 PM.

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

I'm going to wait a few weeks and then see if its available...especially since the press release just came out today.

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

Update: insurance companies DO NOT have the option of turning down the insurance discount whether it is taken online or in a classroom setting- here is what I received from the DMV:

(I-PIRP stands for Internet Point & Insurance Reduction Program)
----------------------------------------
Dear Sponsor,

With the start of I-PIRP classes, sponsoring agecies may begin receiving questions from customers or insurers regarding the insurance premium reduction benefit that is guaranteed under the laws of the State of New York.

In most cases you can cite the May 18, 2009 DMV press release announcing the start of I-PIRP classes, the DMV website and the C-32A brochure for responses to common questions, including those about the premium reduction benefit. There may be situations when an insurer (whether agent, broker or company) willfully or unknowingly refuses to recognize I-PIRP or to issue the insurance premium reduction. Sponsors can handle this situation any number of ways but DMV suggests the following:

It is important to note that insurance companies do not have the discretion to decide whether or not to honor the motor vehicle accident prevention course insurance premium reduction, regardless of whether the course is delivered in a classroom or by a DMV approved alternate delivery method. This is a mandatory reduction under the State Insurance Law, primarily Section 2336(a). Any insurer that fails to observe the law would naturally be subject to penalties. Any concerted effort by an insurance company, as a whole, to deny the premium reduction to eligible motorists would likely draw action from both the New York State Insurance Department (NYSID) and the State Attorney General for violating the law.

DMV has found that most of these situations are the result of a misunderstanding on the part of the motorist or someone working at the insurance agency level, rather than a concerted effort at the insurance company level to deny premium reduction. Consequently, informed communication between the motorist and the insurer usually resolves “problems” without the need for a formal complaint or formal intervention by DMV or the Insurance Department

Suggestion on what to do when a motorist says the insurer won’t issue the premium reduction:
Point the motorist to the information on the DMV website, the frequently asked questions (FAQs) the C-32A brochure, etc. Urge them to read the materials closely to be sure that they fully understand the meaning of point reduction and insurance reduction. Explain to them that if they are truly being denied the premium reduction, that NYS law is on their side - Article 12-C of the V&T and Section 2336 of the Insurance Law (see attached). Suggest that the motorist present this information to their insurance agent/broker company as a first step in resolving what may be a simple misunderstanding. Let the motorist know that they are entitled to file a complaint with the Insurance Department against the insurer if they are unable to resolve the matter with the insurer. The NYSID complaint link is http://www.ins.state.ny.us/complhow.htm. The general public phone number for NYSID is: 1-800-342-3736. NYSID publishes complaint ratios on insurance companies every year so, in addition to the possible penalties for not complying with the law, the negative publicity associated with complaints should be reason enough for insurers to follow the rules.

Suggestion on what to do when an insurer won’t recognize the sponsor’s DMV-approved course.
This has historically been a rare occurrence but with the beginning of I-PIRP there may be instances where agents/brokers/companies are not up-to-speed and are not fully aware that I-PIRP classes have started. DMV has issued a press release and updated its website and promotional materials and we have even notified the Professional Insurance Agents Association of New York – which has updated its website and advised its network of insurance agencies about I-PIRP.

NYSID is expected to issue a circular letter to all insurers regarding I-PIRP and the mandatory premium reduction for all NYS DMV approved motor vehicle accident prevention courses – classroom and alternate delivery methods. NYSID will be referring insurers to the DMV website for a regularly updated list of approved sponsors and for additional information about the program.

Sponsors may want to handle any contact with an insurance company in the same manner that it advises an affected motorist - to provide information to the insurance company and inform them about the latest developments in I-PIRP. Point the company to the information on the DMV website, the frequently asked questions (FAQs) the C-32A brochure, press release, etc. Share a copy of Article 12-C and Section 2336. Refer the company to the Insurance Department for more direction on the legal requirements and obligations with regard to I-PIRP. This should solve the problem. Sponsors that are unable to resolve a problem with an insurance company may also contact the NYSID Property and Casualty Insurance Bureau or the DMV Driver Training Programs Bureau for additional guidance in this area.

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

For my fellow NJ folks they do accept it in NJ. I haven't done it though.

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

GEICO

The Empire State
New York Defensive Driver Discount
If your policy is rated for the state of New York, you could save up to 10% on applicable coverages by taking a defensive driving course. New York's DMV website has a list of available accident prevention course providers in New York. Please review this list to find the most convenient course provider for you.

GEICO policyholders who wish to take an online course receive a discounted price of $28.00 through the American Safety Council. To take advantage of this offer, visit the American Safety Council (United Safety Council) website.

In order to receive the credit from GEICO, eligible policyholders have the following options available:

Submit a copy of the course completion certificate via fax to 1-516-704-2511, attention: "Policy Processing;" or
Mail a copy to:
GEICO
Attn: Region 2 Policy Processing
P. O. Box 9506
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22403–9506
In New York, you may be eligible for this discount if:

You have completed an accident Prevention Course approved by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?

Take it through AAA- there is a discount for Members-

AAA.com/DefensiveDriving

Re: Did anybody take a defensive driving course online and did your insurance accept such course?