NOW OPEN TO NON-HIBERNIAN CUSTOMERS Launched on 29 August 2001, Ignition is a scheme for inexperienced drivers, allowing a premium discount for successful participants in a one-day training course in advanced driving.
Launched on 29th August 2001, Ignition is a scheme for inexperienced drivers, allowing a premium discount for successful participants in a one-day training course in advanced driving.
Ignition has received a very positive response, from media and the public alike. It gives inexperienced drivers a real opportunity not only to reduce their premium but also to enhance their driving skills and hopefully reduce the likelihood of their involvement in a serious accident.
“The key to safer driving and lower premiums”
Ignition was developed by Hibernian in association with the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) UK. It is a pilot scheme, offering inexperienced drivers a combined insurance and driver-training package. Customers who satisfy the qualifying criteria are asked to go on a one-day training course that is designed to accelerate their driving experience. Specifically the course focuses on behaviour, attitude and hazard awareness. Inexperienced drivers who successfully complete the training are rewarded with a significant premium discount of 20% on their private motor insurance. Successful candidates are also offered the option of an additional 10% discount for voluntarily refraining from driving between the hours of 11pm and 6am.
The Ignition training course is free, as it is funded by Hibernian. The scheme initially focused on existing Hibernian Motor Policyholders but is now open to non-Hibernian customers. All candidates must have a full licence for no more than five years, free of any convictions. Additional criteria apply, concerning whether or not the applicant has had any accidents and the type of car owned. These criteria are different for Hibernian Policyholders and non-Hibernian customers and can be clarified on enquiry.
The one-day Ignition course is held in Dublin, Galway and Cork. The course is run by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and cars are provided on the day. The IAM training has an interactive “classroom” component, followed by on-road training. Independent research conducted by the UK Transport Research Laboratory has found that drivers who have completed the full IAM, UK Advanced Driving Test are 50% to 70% less likely to be involved in an accident.
E-mail ignition@hibernian.ie or phone Sharon on 6078653 to book your place today
Why Hibernian developed Ignition
Hibernian General Insurance has not traditionally participated in the “young driver” market. Over the last year or so, we held a number of meetings with focus groups, that looked at the whole area of insuring inexperienced drivers and tried to ascertain what this market expected from us. The key messages fed back were; that a car was very necessary for many young people, particularly for travelling to and from work; that there were a limited number of insurers; and that insurance costs were far too high. Those involved also expressed a real concern at the level of road accidents and deaths and stated that initiatives were needed to save lives.
Against this background, Ignition was developed. Our objective was to do something positive at no cost to the customer, which would improve road safety and help to make insurance for inexperienced drivers more affordable. Ignition is effectively a controlled entry into the inexperienced driver market, which we hope will produce a more responsible class of drivers, and ultimately save lives.