Driving instructor insurance coverage may swiftly and easily cover your business, allowing you to focus on teaching three-point turns and assisting students in passing their tests.
Create a driving instructor insurance policy that matches your company’s needs, from fundamental coverage like public liability insurance in case of a compensation claim to helpful extras like personal accident insurance. Read on to learn more about driving instructor car insurance, the cost, and what it covers.
Why do I need Driving Instructor Car Insurance?
Driving instructor insurance is required by law for all driving instructors in the United Kingdom. If you are a driving instructor, you require a whole different form of insurance covers than other road users. Driving instructors are obliged to have certain additional features connected to their policy in addition to the normal types of coverage, such as social, domestic, and personal usage.
Our knowledgeable and long-standing team will be happy to go over these choices with you. Because of their inexperience, learner drivers increase the risks on the road. Even if they learn rapidly, they lack the number of driving hours and real-world experience that you have.
Is it necessary for me to have separate car insurance coverage as a driving instructor?
You will require an entirely separate type of car insurance if you are still a PDI, approved, or working for a driving school. Depending on the type of instructor you want to be, you may want a variety of covers. These may include:
Mandatory by Law
- It Covers any licenced driver (including learners) – permits you to educate any licenced driver.
- Cover for Hire and Reward: Because you will be collecting money from your client, you are legally required to obtain this cover.
Additional
- Replacement Dual Control Car Cover – Because you will be transporting learners, there is a chance that the vehicle will be damaged. As a result, you must have this in order to continue working while your car is being fixed.
- Negligent Tuition Cover: This protects you against any claims made by your students.
- Diving Off-Road Driver 14+: This cover will allow you to teach off-road driving to people aged 14 and up.
- Comprehensive Driving Other Cars: This cover is required if you are required to perform a demonstration drive in your client’s car.
- Modified Vehicle Cover: As an instructor, you may be required to make modifications to your vehicle, such as dual controls and an additional speedometer, in order to teach.
What Makes Driving Instructor Insurance Unique?
Whether you work for yourself as an Approved Driving Instructor, as a Potential Driving Instructor, or for a well-established driving school, you’ll need a cover that goes much beyond what regular car insurance provides.
To begin, you’ll need to hire and reward coverage, which is required for anyone who makes money by driving a car.
The presence of a student in your car raises the risk factor, especially now that learners are permitted on highways. It’s also a good idea to search for extras like a dual-control courtesy car in case your own vehicle is out of commission for an extended period of time. If you use another car on a daily basis, you should consider a multi-car cover as well.
What Kind of Insurance Do Driving Instructors Need?
The insurance you require as a driving instructor is dependent on the specifics of your business, however, these are some of the business insurance covers that you may find handy.
#1. Driving instructors must have public liability insurance.
Public liability insurance is likely to be at the heart of your driving instructor company insurance policy since it can cover you in the event that someone sues you for bodily harm or property damage. For example, if a student was injured while exiting your car and filed a compensation claim against your company, your driving instructor’s public liability insurance might cover the legal fees and compensation costs.
#2. Driving instructors must have professional indemnity insurance.
You may also decide that professional indemnity insurance is necessary, as it covers you if a client sues you for carelessness or making a mistake in your job. For example, if you gave a student incorrect information and they failed their driving test as a result, they may file a compensation claim against you, and your professional indemnity insurance may kick in.
Other Types of Commercial Insurance for Driving Instructors
Personal accident insurance and business equipment insurance are two more types of business insurance that may be beneficial to your company. Employers’ liability insurance is likely to be a legal requirement if you manage a driving school with employees.
What is the Cost of Driving Instructor Insurance?
The cost of your driving instructor insurance is determined by several factors, including the insurance coverage you select and the specifics of your business. A quick quote is the easiest method to acquire pricing for your driving instructor insurance coverage.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Driving Instructor Insurance
#1. What kind of instructor are you?
A six-month probationary term applies to PDIs. As a result, if you’re shopping for an instructor insurance policy during this time period, you’ll notice that premiums are higher than typical. ADIs, on the other hand, enjoy cheaper premiums due to their experience.
#2. Your car
If you’ve looked at regular car insurance coverage before, you’re definitely aware of how the sort of vehicle you drive might affect the cost. The size of your engine, for example, might either increase or decrease the entire cost. Your car’s transmission may also play a factor. Manual cars, for example, are more prone to wear and tear than automatic cars, particularly with the clutch, which means they can be more expensive to insure.
#3. Location
Location, like ordinary car insurance, can have a significant impact on the cost of your driving instructor insurance coverage. Unfortunately, while we have no control over this, some places tend to attract more crime than others. If you live in such an area, the insurance company is more likely to have to pay out. As a result, you’ll have to pay higher premiums on your coverage.
#4. Full-time or part-time?
Driving instructors do not all work full-time. Fortunately, most insurers consider this when assessing coverage and overall cost. They will design the policy based on the number of hours you work and even the amount of instruction you provide to beginner drivers.
#5. Different types of covers
If you choose the most comprehensive policy available—with every specialist covered—the ultimate cost will undoubtedly be far higher. The goal is to select the one that best meets your requirements and budget. Of course, just as the policies vary, so do the insurance companies. Two carriers may offer the same type of policy and coverage but at different prices—up it’s to you to shop around and get the best deal.
How to Get Low-Cost Car Insurance as a Driving Instructor
As with any insurance, the best approach to getting cheap car insurance coverage is to compare them and select the one that best meets your needs as a driving instructor. Simply put, the more extra driving instructor insurance coverage you have, the more expensive it will be. As a result, it’s critical to figure out what you’ll need to do your job.
There are a few more things you may do to lower your rates, such as:
- Buying a new car has a high initial cost, but newer vehicles are more fuel-efficient and reliable. Because of the length of time, your car will be on the road, you will have to spend significantly more money on maintenance than previously.
- Insurers will consider your storage and security measures, such as parking the car off the road. Similarly, you may purchase an immobiliser to prevent it from being stolen.
- The simplest option would be to grow your surplus. In the case of a claim, you will pay less in monthly premiums if you are willing to pay more toward the repair.
Choosing a Driving Instructor Insurance Company
Before we look at instances of top driving instructor insurance brokers and comparison sites, let’s have a look at the criteria you should consider while making your decision.
#1. Cost
Driving instructor insurance coverage can be costly, especially if you work as a private driving instructor. If you’ve only recently begun working, you may not be willing to pay more than what you’re now earning for coverage that you may not require. With that in mind, you must assess the benefits and drawbacks.
If you choose insurance based solely on how simple and inexpensive it is, you may come to regret it if the worst happens on the road. In contrast, if you choose the most comprehensive policy available—with every cover type available—you may find it to be a waste of money in the end. Choose an insurance coverage that meets your current and future demands as well as your budget.
#2. Covers
Before you begin looking for the ideal insurance policy, we recommend that you make a list of the sorts of coverage that you believe are most important to you, such as negligent tuition cover and personal accident cover. As a result, you will be able to make a more educated decision when deciding between different insurance providers and products.
#3. Customer service and assistance
Remember that simple things like customer service and assistance will influence which insurance provider you choose. You’ll want to choose a service that will supply you with a robust support system whenever you need it—you never know when you’ll need to contact someone!
#4. Payment Methods
The price is one of the most important elements educators consider when selecting an insurance policy—it must be affordable and within budget. And that isn’t all. You should also consider the payment options provided by the insurer. For example, do you pay your insurance in one big payment each year? Or are you making monthly payments?
If you’re financially secure and have extra money to spare, an annual payment plan may be more cost-effective for you. Of course, if you don’t have enough to cover the entire year, monthly payments may be the way to go. Some insurance even provides for bi-annual payments. With this in mind, make sure to look into the payment choices available with any potential insurance policy you’re considering.
Suggestions for Finding the Right Fit
You should be ready to begin your search for the best driving instructor insurance policy by this time. Remember to make a mental note of any pertinent cover types so you know what to look for. Once you’ve narrowed down your alternatives (for example, brokers and comparison sites, see the section below), it’s time to apply for driving instructor insurance quotes. You will need to fill out online forms to accomplish this.
This is done so that insurance carriers can present you with a pricing estimate that is specific to you and your needs. A quote, for example, will fluctuate based on how much experience you have, what vehicle you drive, and where you live. Typically, these forms will request the following information:
- Personal information
- Policy considerations
- Vehicle Specifications
- Specifics on the driver(s) involved
It is all too easy to become overwhelmed by the numerous driving instructor insurance providers available. With that in mind, here are a few pointers to assist you in not only discovering the correct fit but also retaining a cool head while doing so…
#1. Don’t freak out.
With so many possibilities for driving instructor insurance, it can be tough to keep the worry at bay when looking for the best policy. It is therefore critical that you remain patient and calm throughout your search. The last thing you want—or need—is for dozens of insurance companies to call you all at once because you requested numerous estimates. Instead of requesting quotations from every conceivable insurance provider, we recommend selecting a top-five and requesting prices from each.
#2. Compare
Even if the first insurance policy you come across appears to be a match made in heaven, you should still look at other policies. You might find one with lower premiums or more coverage. What you need to do is compare the quotes from your top five. Regardless of how similar they appear, they will undoubtedly differ in a variety of ways, including:
- Options for payment
- Excess
- Additional covers
- Premiums
#3. Look for clarification.
You shouldn’t choose an insurance policy without comparing it to others on the market, and you shouldn’t choose one without reading the tiny print. When it comes to insurance, there’s a lot of money at stake, so take your time reading over everything before making any kind of commitment. Are you unsure of what anything means? There’s nothing wrong with seeking an additional explanation. Here are a few ideas to get you started…
- What payment methods do you offer?
- What is the policy’s excess?
- In the event of a fault/non-fault claim, is a new vehicle provided?
- How long will the replacement vehicle be available?
- How will it be documented on the policy if I am hit by an uninsured provider?
Driving Instructor Insurance FAQs
Is driving instructor insurance expensive?
Driving instructor car insurance is often more expensive than basic private motor insurance cover because a driving instructor necessitates a number of additional coverages that are not included as standard in a private motor insurance policy.
How long does it take to become a driving instructor UK?
As a general rule, you should expect to finish the programme in six to nine months, though there are a few factors to consider when calculating how long it will take you to pass.
How much do driving lessons cost UK?
The cost of classes varies depending on where you live, but you should budget between £25 and £30 per hour.
