protect your driving licence

[stevieb15]

I've received this in my spam folder this morning.
Although I am lucky enough to have a clean licence the offer and the relatively low cost makes purchasing look like a no brainer...but on the basis that "if it looks to good to be true it ususally is" I thought it worth
seeking your advice and thoughts.

Motoring First - Landing Page

 

[Gridlock]

"*Excess covers the cost of chasing court paperwork and documentation from the police to necessary to prepare your case."

This is only one of numerous typos on that page - never a good sign to me.

Seems legit, but with zero points on my licence I'm happy that it's a waste of money for me. If I had 6 or 9, maybe...

 

[Lugy]

I'm at a total loss as to how it works, is it a legal cover thing?

 

[wemorgan]

Interesting concept, though it seems rather ironic that they have a £50 excess on all claims. Compare this to the £60 fine for a speeding offence, the monetary gains for a first offender are quite slight at best.

Do you know what the memberships costs are? It looks like you have to register to get a quote.

 

[grober]

From their website:-
What happens if you get caught for a minor motoring offence?

* Don't admit guilt!
* Go to the Motoring First website, log in to your user area and submit a claim.
* We'll check whether you've got reasonable prospects of success ?????????????????????????????????
* If your claim is accepted???????????? , you pay a £50 excess * and we'll do the rest.

Yeah Right!

If you belong to the AA or RAC they offer memebership legal services for similar money and by paying a small premium on your insurance you can cover yourself against legal costs. Better bet in my book.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Motoring First Ltd. No record on companies house.

"Motoring First is a trading name for Keep An Eye On Ltd"

But their "Contact Us" definately says Motoring First Ltd

I'd avoid.

 

[Spin_bowler]

I have a simple policy from another provider that covers me should I lose my licence under the totting-up rule. It is very narrow in scope, all the seperate offences have to be speeding offences and no more than three points at a time but it is well worth the premium as I couldn't do my job without my car.

I took it out when I had six points (they won't let you take it out with any more) and in the event of you losing your licence you get £1000/month which you can spend on alternative transport, no excesses no fuss (apparently). Touch wood, I wont have to find out.

Sounds like the most useful part of this product on its own.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Motoring First Ltd. No record on companies house.

"Motoring First is a trading name for Keep An Eye On Ltd"

But their "Contact Us" definately says Motoring First Ltd

I'd avoid.

I would agree, but the company is registered with the FSA, not that I would remotely take that seriously.

I would be intrigued by the validity of their claims about success though. Given they screen you for probability of success, I wonder what their figures would be if they took the raw claims rather than the screened ones?

Anyway, on principle I wouldn't buy anything on the basis of spam, and Grober is correct (as always!) on other options.

 

[stevieb15]

Thanks guys, all good advice, looks like the old adage probably is true..."if it looks..."

 

[Lugy]

There isn't much on Google either, I guess they could just be a new company though.

 

[vincenz]

This is similar to the Nick Freeman keep on driving scheme, you paid a fee for one of his team to represent you if you ever found yourself in court over motoring offences. It may be a good way of subsidising the cost of a defence when in court but it wont guarantee a ruling in your favour.

 

[Gridlock]

By the way, spam folders exist for a reason

 

[ringway]

Check out the "Members" area. It's empty!

It's not for me and wouldn't such a policy encourage wreckless driving?