Speed therapy for young drivers

Breaking the speed limit has always been a common offence committed by young drivers. But now it seems that one insurer is going the extra mile to ensure the responsibility of their drivers.

Ingenie is one of a number of new insurance firms specializing in insurance assisted by telematics – black box recorders capable of analyzing how a vehicle is being driven. The firm has also now demanded that customers caught driving poorly should have therapy sessions to make them aware of the consequences of driving recklessly.

Typically bad driving results in nothing more than an increase in premium from the insurer, but in the case of Ingenie the data sent back to the insurer – such as a record of speeding on the motorway – will result in the firm contacting the driver and asking them to partake in the treatment.

The counselling provided is akin to the therapy usually associated with treating those convicted of drink and drug addictions, carried out over the phone by a team of trained psychology experts experienced in handling young offenders.

The aim of such treatment is to raise awareness of the dangers of reckless driving and encouraging the customer to understand the consequences of their actions.

While Ingenie is not the first insurance firm to utilize telematics in recording driving habits and lowering the premium for responsible young motorists – the demographic hit hardest by soaring insurance costs – it is previously unheard of for such therapy to be requested by an insurer.

Ingenie claim that they have found the treatment to have a dramatic impact on future driving habits in 9 out of 10 cases, resulting in a long-term improvement in motoring habits.

Founder of Ingenie, Richard King, said:

“We never lecture, we help them understand their behavior is a problem and they could seriously hurt or kill someone else or have their policy cancelled and become uninsurable. In many cases they haven’t made this connection or considered the consequenes.”

In support of the scheme, James McLoughlin of Brake stated:
“Road crashes are the biggest killer of young drivers and speed is a factor in all devastating crashes, so this could potentially save lives.”

With nearly a quarter of 17-25 year olds involved in a road traffic accident within the first 6 months of passing their test, it is hoped that this scheme will not only deter dangerous driving but also potentially save lives and severe injuries.

And if the driver refuses to take part in the counselling? Their policy will immediately be cancelled.

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