Hibernian launches Ignition for provisional licence holders Hibernian Insurance today announced that it is expanding its highly successful Ignition programme to include provisional licence holders.
Hibernian launches Ignition for provisional licence holders
Hibernian Insurance yesterday announced that it is expanding its highly successful Ignition programme to include provisional licence holders.
In an effort to address the high cost of insurance for provisional licence holders caught up in the current backlog in the driving test system Hibernian has decided to expand Ignition to ensure that people are not penalised financially for something that is beyond their control.
Hibernian’s Ignition manager Trevor Lowry said: "We estimated that of the 380,000 provisional licence holders on Irish roads, one third of these drivers can be waiting over a year to take their driving test.. Through no fault of their own these drivers are paying higher rates of motor insurance for a lot longer than they would expect. By expanding Ignition we are giving them the opportunity to demonstrate safe driving skills now and in return benefit from reduced insurance premiums."
Ignition for provisional licence holders is a modified form of the full day Ignition course (see details below). Drivers are given a quote excluding the standard loading for a provisional licence, on condition that they successfully complete a one hour driving assessment with the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM). The loading is then removed for two years to give the person ample opportunity to sit and pass the driving test. Once they have passed the test they are then eligible to sit the full Ignition course where discounts of up to 50% are available.
Trevor Lowry said: "Hibernian’s approach to motor insurance has been to consistently reward drivers who demonstrate safe driving ability with price discounts. Through Ignition, advanced driver discounts and penalty point-free discounts we are giving motorists the scope to reduce their insurance over and above any standard no-claims bonus entitlements. This new initiative provides provisional licence holders with the first stepping stone in a range of discounts that can significantly reduce their insurance costs throughout their motoring life."
For further information provisional licence holders should call 1890 66 77 77, log on to www.hiberniandirect.ie or consult a broker.
-ends-
Notes to editors:
Ignition for provisional licence holders, course details:
- Drivers must have proof of applying for driving test
- Their car must have an engine size of no great than 1400cc
- A course fee of €70 is payable directly to the IAM
- Drivers must feel relatively confident in their ability to potentially pass the driving test
- Assessments are conducted in a dual-control car from one of the Ignition course centres around the country
- The assessment is based on the existing Ignition scheme
- All drivers will receive valuable feedback from trainers following their assessment
About Hibernian Ignition:
- Hibernian Ignition was formally launched in January 2002 after a six month pilot
- To date 30,000 drivers have participated in an Ignition course
- The pass rate is 85%
- Irish football international Damien Duff is the ‘face’ of Ignition
- Ignition allows inexperienced drivers to get a minimum motor insurance discount of 20% (up to a maximum of 40% for exceptional driving skill) by successfully completing a one-day driver-training course
- Candidates can also opt for an additional 10% discount for voluntarily refraining from driving between the hours of 11pm and 6am
- The Ignition course combines an interactive ‘classroom’ session with on-road training, designed to accelerate the driver’s experience. The course focuses on hazard awareness and encourages participation from all delegates in discussions about safety and driving habits
- Applicants for Ignition must have a full clean driving licence; they must also own or be seeking to buy, in the next 6 months, a vehicle of 1600cc or less
- Ignition is open to all individuals who meet the qualifying criteria, whether they are customers of Hibernian or not
- Hibernian covers the full cost of the training and cars are provided by the IAM for delegate’s use on the day
- A refundable fee of €225 is charged to delegates to prevent absenteeism
- The scheme is run at the following Ignition centres around Ireland - Dublin North, South and West, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Waterford, Sligo, Mullingar, Dundalk, Limerick, Gorey and Letterkenny.
- Potential delegates for Ignition should contact their own insurance provider, broker, Hibernian branch or phone Hibernian on 1890 66 77 77. An insurance quotation can be provided before committing to attend the course. Details can also be obtained at Hibernian’s website at www.hibernian.ie.
Other Hibernian Driver Discounts
- An advanced driver discount of 30% for any driver who successfully completes the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) advanced driving qualification
- Penalty point-free discount: Hibernian currently offers a 17.5% discount to all penalty point free drivers and a 10% discount to those with only 2 points
About Hibernian
- Hibernian is part of the Aviva plc, the world’s fifth largest insurance group
- Hibernian is Ireland’s largest composite insurer, ranked first for general insurance and top five for life and pensions
- A photograph of Trevor Lowry and Damien Duff is available here or by ISDN
- Hibernian news releases are also available on kela.oriordan@hibernian.ie