Driving School Insurance
Whether you are an ADI or PDI instructor, we can help you arrange a driving school insurance or instructor’s insurance policy to suit you, with a range of great features designed just for driving instructors.
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What is Driving School Insurance?
Driving school insurance is a specialised insurance coverage for businesses operating driving schools or driver training programs. It protects against various risks and liabilities associated with teaching individuals how to drive. Driving school insurance typically includes several types of coverage to meet the unique needs of driving school owners and instructors.
One of the core components of driving school insurance is liability coverage. This protects driving school owners and instructors against claims for bodily injury or property damage that may arise during driving lessons or practice sessions. It covers legal expenses and any awarded damages resulting from accidents or incidents involving students.
In addition to liability coverage, driving school insurance may include coverage for the school’s vehicles. This can involve commercial auto insurance, which protects the school’s vehicles against damage or theft, or hired and non-owned auto insurance, which covers vehicles not owned by the driving school but used for instruction purposes.
Other potential coverage options for driving school insurance include business property insurance to protect the school’s premises and equipment, general business liability coverage, and coverage for instructor errors and omissions.
The specific terms, coverage options, and limits of driving school insurance can vary among insurance providers. It is essential for driving school owners to work closely with insurance professionals who specialise in this type of insurance to assess their specific needs and ensure they have appropriate coverage to protect their driving school business, instructors, students, and assets.
Insurance Provided For A Range of Driving Schools & Instructors:
Driving Schools
Driving Instructors
ADI Instructors
PDI Instructors
What risks come with managing a driving school?
Think about this for a minute – your business is to teach others to drive. Driving inherently carries certain risks, especially when you spend more time on the road. Regular car insurance doesn’t cover all aspects of your business, so you’ll need to buy driving school insurance to protect your business, students, yourself and your car investment.
Driving school insurance is a type of business insurance that works to protect your company against financial problems due to auto accidents. Keep in mind that driving insurance is necessary for both PDIs (Potential Driving Instructors) and ADIs (Approved Driving Instructors).
Driving School Insurance FAQs
What are the types of driving school insurance?
Driving school insurance typically encompasses several types of coverage to meet the specific needs of driving schools and instructors. The types of driving school insurance coverage can include:
- Liability Insurance: Liability insurance is fundamental to driving school insurance. It covers claims arising from bodily injury or property damage caused to third parties during driving lessons or practice sessions. This coverage protects driving school owners and instructors in case of accidents or incidents involving their students.
- Commercial Car Insurance: Commercial vehicle insurance covers the driving school’s owned vehicles used for instruction. It protects against physical damage, theft, and liability associated with accidents involving the school’s vehicles.
- Hired and Non-Owned Car Insurance: Hired and non-owned auto insurance covers vehicles not owned by the driving school but used for instruction purposes, such as rental or student-owned vehicles. This coverage helps protect the driving school against liability claims arising from accidents involving these vehicles.
- Business Property Insurance: Business property insurance covers the driving school’s physical premises, including the building, office, and equipment, against risks like fire, theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
- General Liability Insurance: General liability insurance provides broader coverage for the driving school’s overall business operations. It protects against claims for injuries or property damage occurring on the premises or due to the driving school’s services beyond driving instruction.
- Professional Liability Insurance: Professional liability insurance, or errors and omissions insurance, covers claims arising from professional negligence or mistakes driving instructors make during instruction.
- Business Interruption Insurance: Business interruption insurance compensates the driving school for lost income and ongoing expenses if the school is forced to temporarily close or suspend operations due to an insured event, such as fire, flood, or other covered perils.
It is essential for driving school owners and instructors to assess their specific needs and risks and consult with insurance providers or brokers specialising in driving school insurance. They can help determine the most suitable coverage options and ensure comprehensive protection for the driving school business, instructors, students, and assets.
Considerations for Buying Driving School Insurance
As a business owner, you’re looking to keep costs down, but you need to know up front that driving school insurance does tend to be higher than regular auto insurance. This is because the risks faced when driving is increased, so insurance policies tend to reflect this increased risk with higher premiums.
To get cheaper insurance premiums, keep these points in mind:
1). Look for insurance companies that specialise in driver’s insurance. They understand the business and what you’ll need to protect your business, etc.
2). Consider paying a little more to ensure your students, you and your car are protected. You may opt for a slightly better policy or see if the insurer offers add-ons to create a more customized policy for your unique business.
3). Increasing your excess can lower your premiums but understand that if you need to make a claim, then you’ll have to pay out of pocket after the insurance company pays its portion. This can be quite expensive, so make sure you can afford to raise the excess. Otherwise, choose a lower excess, with a higher premium to keep from paying as much out of pocket.
4). Alert the insurance company to any modification of the car used for driving lessons. For instance, if your car is dual control, has additional mirrors and speedometers, signs (alerting other drives there’s a student at the wheel), etc, this could help keep your premiums down.
Another way to keep prices down is to comparison shop online. Using a comparison insurance site is a fast and easy way to find insurers who specialize in this type of insurance and you’ll find the right policy and prices faster, too.
We hope this guide helps you to find the best insurance coverage for your driving school! Remember don’t hesitate to ask questions and get the best policy you can to protect your students, you and your business.
What can be included in a driving instructors insurance policy?
A comprehensive driving instructor insurance policy can include various types of coverage to protect driving instructors, their vehicles, and their business operations. The specific coverage options can vary among insurance providers, but here are some typical inclusions in driving instructor insurance policies:
- Dual Control Vehicle Insurance: This coverage is essential for driving instructors as it protects the dual control vehicle used for teaching. It covers physical damage to the vehicle, including accidents, theft, or vandalism.
- Liability Insurance: Liability insurance protects driving instructors against claims for bodily injury or property damage caused to third parties during driving lessons. It covers legal expenses and any awarded damages resulting from accidents or incidents involving students.
- Personal Accident Insurance: Personal accident insurance covers driving instructors in case of injuries sustained during their driving instruction duties. It can provide financial compensation for medical expenses, disability, or loss of income due to an accident.
- Professional Indemnity Insurance: Professional indemnity insurance covers driving instructors against claims arising from errors, omissions, or negligence in providing their teaching services. It provides financial protection if a student suffers harm or financial loss due to incorrect instruction or advice.
- Business Interruption Insurance: Business interruption insurance compensates driving instructors for lost income and ongoing expenses if they cannot conduct driving lessons due to an insured event, such as a vehicle breakdown, illness, or other circumstances beyond their control.
- Legal Expenses Insurance: Legal expenses insurance covers the cost of legal representation and associated expenses if a driving instructor needs to pursue or defend against legal claims related to their teaching services.
It is crucial for driving instructors to carefully review their insurance policies terms, conditions, and coverage limits. Working with an insurance provider or broker specialising in driving instructor insurance can help ensure that the policy includes appropriate coverage for the specific needs of the driving instructor’s business and teaching activities.
Different types of driving instructor qualifications
Driving instructors are classified into three categories: Approved Driving Instructors (ADI), Potential Driving Instructors (PDI), and Registered Trainers.
- Approved Driving Instructors (ADI): An ADI is a fully qualified driving instructor who has passed all three parts of the qualifying examination conducted by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). These three parts include a theory test, a practical driving test, and a test of teaching ability. ADIs are eligible to charge money for their driving instruction services.
- Potential Driving Instructors (PDI): A PDI is a driving instructor who has passed the first two parts of the qualifying examination but has not yet passed the test of teaching ability. They are given a trainee license to gain practical experience, which lasts for six months. During this period, they must either receive an additional 20 hours of instructional training or have their instruction supervised for at least 20% of lessons.
- Registered Trainers: Registered Trainers are ADIs who have taken additional qualifications to train other individuals to become driving instructors. These qualifications include the DVSA’s special test for ADI trainers or qualifications from the Approved Driving Instructor National Joint Council (ADINJC) or Driving Instructors Association (DIA).
It’s also worth noting the DVSA also provides a grading system for ADIs. They are periodically assessed and receive a grade based on their level of competency, which ranges from ‘A’ (the highest) to ‘Fail’ (the lowest).
Finally, specific qualifications and licenses are required for instructors teaching the driving of Large Goods Vehicles (LGV) or Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCV). These instructors are often referred to as Fleet Driver Trainers.
What is the meaning of being a driving instructor?
A driving instructor is a person who is hired by a new driver who is learning how to improve their skills – often for an upcoming practical test. … A driving instructor has several names and can be recognised as: Car Driving Instructor, Educator, Instructor, Teacher or HGV Driving Instructor.
Do driving instructors need special insurance?
Whether you’re working for yourself as an Approved Driving Instructor, Potential Driving Instructor or work for an established driving school, you’ll require cover far beyond that provided by standard car insurance.
What qualifications do I need to be a driving instructor?
To become a driving instructor in the UK, you need to meet specific qualifications and requirements set by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The qualifications include the following:
- Driving License: You must hold a full UK or European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) driving license for at least three years.
- Criminal Record Check: You must undergo a Disclosure, and Barring Service (DBS) check to ensure you have no relevant criminal convictions.
- Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Qualification: To become a fully qualified driving instructor, you need to pass three tests:
- a. ADI Part 1: Theory Test: This test consists of multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception test. It assesses your knowledge of the Highway Code, driving theory, and hazard perception skills.
- b. ADI Part 2: Driving Ability Test: This test examines your driving skills to a high standard, including vehicle control, observation, and anticipation. It is similar to an advanced driving test.
- c. ADI Part 3: Instructional Ability Test: This test assesses your ability to effectively instruct and teach learner drivers. It includes role-play scenarios where you demonstrate your instructional techniques and communication skills.
- Potential instructors may complete additional training, such as a trainee license (a Pink Badge) or further development courses to enhance their teaching skills and knowledge.
It’s important to note that the qualification process can be challenging and time-consuming. Many individuals train with a reputable driving instructor training provider or join a driving instructor franchise to gain support and guidance throughout the qualification process.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on becoming a driving instructor in the UK, visiting the official DVSA website or contacting them directly for detailed guidance on the specific requirements and process is recommended.
Find out more information here: https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs/job-profile/driving-instructor
What affects my driving school insurance premiums?
Depending on what sort of driving instructor you are, your insurance can be a different price. A few key determining factors are:
- PDI or ADI: If you are learning to be a driving instructor there is a six-month probationary period where your premiums will be higher.
- Part of Full time: Often people work as a driving instructor part-time, which insurers will take into account.
- Type of car: As with getting any kind of car insurance, the type of car, in particular the size of the engine, will play a role in how expensive your insurance is.
- Location: If you live in an area with a high crime rate, this can play a significant role in the price of your policy.
How to find cheap car insurance as a driving instructor?
As with any insurance, the best way to find cheap car insurance policies is through comparing different ones and finding the plan that suits your needs as a driving instructor best. Put simply, the more additional cover you have, the more expensive it will be. Therefore, it is crucial to work out what will you will need to carry out your job.
There are a few other ways in which you can reduce your premiums, including:
- Purchasing a new car: a high upfront cost, but more modern vehicles are more fuel-efficient and reliable. Because of the amount of time your car will be on the road, you will have to spend much more on upkeep than previously
- Insurers will take into account your storage and security precautions, such as parking the car off the road. Similarly, you could buy an immobiliser to keep it safe from being stolen
- The easiest option would be to increase your excess. In the event of a claim, by being willing to pay more towards the repair, you will pay less in monthly premiums.
What are the different types of driving school insurance cover?
As you’re spending so much time on the road, it can be quite risky, particularly when you consider other drivers too, so protecting yourself, students and your business from crippling financial consequences are so important. There are numerous driving school insurance policies to choose from:
- Negligent tuition insurance
- Any driver insurance
- Uninsured driver protection insurance
- Personal accident insurance
- Gap insurance
- Finance protection insurance
What are the benefits of driving school?
Better driving record. Attending a driving school helps teach you the proper skills and education to gain better driving habits and help you become an excellent driver. Apart from developing appropriate driving habits, completing your driving lessons will result in lower car insurance premiums.
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