MotorBikes: John Wheeler reports on cheaper insurance costs which a new scheme delivers to bikers
Final details of a training initiative for motorcyclists have jest been released by AON Bike Care and AXA. This is the most significant insurance development for Irish motorcycling in decades.
The primary objective is to encourage motorcyclists to take approved AON/AXA rider training and so benefit from appreciably lower insurance costs.
Towards the end of a course which, depending on the rider's current skill level, could be between three to 12 hours, the rider would be formally tested by an AON/AXA approved instructor. There are four recognised grades: from the lowest at Class 4 to the highest at Class 1. Discounts relates to the Class achieved.
An 18-year-old male in Dublin with a provisional licence riding a 49cc moped could reduce the cost of third-party cover, currently € 1,979, by from € 503 to €711 depending on the test result. This amounts to a reduction of between 25 and 35 per cent.
A 21-year-old male in Dublin with a provisional licence riding a Group 2 125cc motorcycle could reduce third-party cover from € 2,851 by €729 to € 1,031. If he lives outside the Dublin area the reduction could be between € 377 and € 533.
At age 25 a Dublin-based male on a provisional licence riding a Group 5 250cc bike could gain reductions from € 365 to €516 on current costs of €1,446. For a similar rider in Cork reductions range from €226 to € 319.
Older riders for whom the initial premiums are significantly lower also benefit. A 35-year-old male on a provisional licence riding a Group 10 600cc machine could see reductions between € 301 and €426 for third-party cover and from € 553 to € 783 for comprehensive cover.
A 45-year-old living in Dublin still with a provisional licence riding a Group 12 machine could earn discounts from € 326 to € 426 on third-party cover and from €855 to € 1,209 for comprehensive cover.
In general terms, even at the lowest Grade 4, the provisional licence holder is now regarded on the same basis as a full licence holder. This means that those who can demonstrate the ability to ride safely on their own in all normal conditions are no longer penalised by having to wait a year or more for a driving test date.
Full licence holders who can demonstrate the ability to ride safely in normal conditions on all types of roads including motorways and who have proficient, safe overtaking skills gain a further 10 per cent at the Class 3 level.
A Class 2 rider, one who is seen to be a highly-skilled and very safe rider in all road and weather conditions, gains a further 5 per cent on top of the discounts for Class 4 and 3 riders.
To get the highest available discount level riders would have to take the RoSPA advanced test and achieve either the silver or gold rating. This provides the maximum 30 per cent discount which is also available to police motorcyclists.
All discounts are in addition to earned no-claim discounts. The cost of taking training will vary. For those already riding well, it could be as little as € 165. For someone who has never ridden before, achieving the lowest Grade 4 could cost € 375 for a moped, up to € 545 for a geared motorcycle.
For those just starting riding, some approved training organisations are able to provide "school bikes" so that one can learn and pass the AXA/AON test before buying and insuring their own machine. This means they start off riding enjoying the benefit of the scheme's discounts.
The initiative's net effect is to reward riders who, in the absence of the State requiring compulsory training, have the wisdom and foresight to bring their skills to a high standard. Until now there has been little or no financial incentive, especially for younger riders starting out on mopeds or motorcycles to get proper training.
AON/AXA have set rigorous standards for instructors and rider-training organisations authorised to deliver training and to conduct the Class 4, 3 and 2 tests. The highest Class 1 test will be carried out by RoSPA examiners.
Further information is available from AON Bike Care on 01.7037690 and from motorcycle dealers