Soon-to-be motorists and learner drivers in Ireland can now learn safer driving for life and save up to 50% on their insurance premiums with the launch of a new driving school from leading insurer Hibernian.
- Green light for learner drivers with new Hibernian road safety initiative
- Safer driving for life and reduced insurance premiums.
Soon-to-be motorists and learner drivers in Ireland can now learn safer driving for life and save up to 50% on their insurance premiums with the launch of a new driving school from leading insurer Hibernian. The first initiative of its kind in Ireland, the new Hibernian Driving School also delivers savings for parents of learner drivers with the availability of accompanied driver cover for six months free of charge where the parent already has their motor insurance with Hibernian and books a pack of 10 lessons for their child (see case examples at end). Information on the Hibernian Driving School is available by calling 1890 40 50 80 or by dropping into any one of Hibernian's 27 branches around the country.
Hibernian, which insurers one-in-four cars on Irish roads, has developed a driving school to help new and existing provisional licence holders to become a better driver for life and pass their tests. With highly qualified driving instructors, the Hibernian Driving School also introduces a direct link between reduced insurance premiums and lessons taken. The new Hibernian Driving School is the first initiative of its kind in Ireland and follows on from Hibernian's hugely successful "Ignition" driver assessment programme.
Speaking about the launch of Hibernian Driving School, Michael Bannon, motoring services manager at Hibernian, said: "At Hibernian Driving School we don't just teach pupils how to pass the driving test. As well as teaching pupils to control their vehicle we focus on advanced hazard management, their decision-making skills, driving attitude and behaviour, which is vital for their future as a driver both in terms of their safety and the safety of others.
"The fact that taking lessons with Hibernian Driving School is linked directly to reduced motor insurance premiums from Hibernian is an added bonus for the pupils and also shows the confidence we have in the abilities and results of the Hibernian Driving School instructors in teaching people to drive safely."
A nationwide roll-out of the Hibernian Driving School is already underway and Hibernian has driving schools in North Dublin, Letterkenny, Cork and Limerick. Galway and other schools will be launched over the coming weeks and lessons in all areas can be booked by calling a central booking number 1890 40 50 80.
As well as reduced insurance premiums for learner drivers, parents of learner drivers can also make savings if they want to put their children on their motor policies for the first time and are an existing Hibernian motor policyholders. Hibernian policy holders who purchase a pack of 10 lessons can put the child availing of these lessons on their car under accompanied driver cover "free of charge" for six months following the first lesson. This unique advantage is designed to support the development of first time drivers and enable them to practice their driving skills in the company of their parents in between the lessons with Hibernian Driving School. The cover also includes free bonus protection while the pupil is driving under the tuition of a parent giving additional piece of mind to parents of absolute beginners.
Hibernian already insures one in four cars on Irish roads and the Hibernian Driving School is part of Hibernian's Motoring Services strategy. This strategy leverages Hibernian's renowned customer service and increases the number of experiences that customers have with Hibernian. The end result is that consumers can learn how to drive with the Hibernian Driving School and get on the road with competitively priced insurance premiums from Hibernian.
With road safety firmly in mind the Hibernian Driving School marks the first time that an insurance company has launched a dedicated driving school. Ireland is currently far behind our European peers when it comes to driving lessons and the national driving test shows a pass rate of 55%. Recently published research from Behaviour & Attitudes market research shows that 85% of respondents believe that provisional licence holders should take a specified number of lessons before being allowed on the public road. More than half of respondents in the same research also think that the driving test is too easy and should be made tougher to pass. These findings have particular relevance for young and inexperienced drivers who account for a disproportionate number of fatalities on Irish roads.
Speaking about the launch of Hibernian Driving School, Michael Bannon, motoring services manager at Hibernian, said: "At the core of Hibernian is the concept of ‘Good Thinking', and the Hibernian Driving School has good thinking written all over it and continues our campaign to improve road safety. With no single remedy to improved road safety, a combination of education, enforcement and engineering is seen to hold the key. We believe the Hibernian Driving School will play a large part in improving road safety through delivering the highest standard when it comes to the education of pupils."
Until recently anyone with a full driving licence could set-up as a driving instructor with no legal requirement to undergo specific training or provide a suitable training vehicle with dual controls. This is set to change with the introduction of the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) guidelines from the Road Safety Authority. Hibernian Driving School instructors have already been assessed and undergone training with the Institute of Advanced Motoring.
Hibernian driving school cars provide a comfortable environment to take lessons in, with dual controls, air conditioning and one of the highest NCAP safety ratings. , Hibernian Driving School instructors will also enjoy the benefits of ongoing IAM Quality Assurance and Continual Professional Development to ensure they continually deliver the highest possible quality driver training to pupils. This means that not only will Hibernian Driving School instructors take a friendly, patient approach to teaching pupils to drive safely but will also be fully qualified to provide training.
-ends-
For further media information:
Alan Tyrrell, Media Relations Manager, Hibernian Insurance
Telephone: 01 898 5452
Mobile: 086 850 8673
Notes to editor:
Sample savings for consumers learning to drive with Hibernian Driving School:
Case 1
Michelle is an 18 year old learner driver living in Phibsboro and works in Sandyford. She has her own car, a 2005 1ltr Nissan Micra valued at €7000. She has held her provisional licence for 12 months and has a one year NCD.
Comp Cover Annual premium without lessons at Hibernian Driving School = €1305.28 (if aged 20 yrs: = €1169.52)
Comp Cover Annual premium with discounts with Hibernian Driving School reaching test standard = €780.94 (if aged 20 yrs: €699.71)
SAVINGS resulting from lessons with Hibernian Driving School = €524.34
Case 2
Paul lives in County Cork and is 21 with a provisional licence. He has been a named driver on his fathers policy for two years but how wants to buy a car of his own. He is looking for a quote on a 2003 Volkswagen Golf, 1.4L value €5000.
Comp Cover Annual premium without lessons at Hibernian Driving School = €2,511.72
Comp Cover Annual premium with discounts with Hibernian Driving School reaching test standard = €1,106.56
SAVINGS resulting from lessons with Hibernian Driving School = €1,405.16
Case 3
John and Mary have a 17 year old son, James, and want to help him learn to drive as they live in a rural area near Letterkenny, Co Donegal and James will be attending University College Galway later this year. They own a 2007 1.8ltr Opel Vectra and want to put James on the policy. John & Mary's own premium: €473.95
Normal cost of adding named driver cover for James for the year = €2,032
SAVINGS resulting from lessons with Hibernian Driving School = €1,016(note: "accompanied driver cover" for James free for 6mths results when John and Mary purchase a pack of 10 lessons with Hibernian Driving School. Lessons are €35 per hour and a pack of 10 lessons (Euro350) includes one free lesson (ie 11 for the price of 10).
Assuming James passes his test in six months time, he can then go on to avail of savings on his own policy with Hibernian as per the other examples shown above.
About Hibernian
Hibernian group is Ireland's largest composite insurer, ranked first for general insurance and top three for life and pensions.
Hibernian group is a subsidiary of Aviva plc, the world's fifth-largest insurance group and the UK's largest insurance services provider (based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2005), and is one of the leading providers of life and pension products to Europe, with substantial positions in other markets around the world. Aviva employs 58,000 staff worldwide.
Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion and assets under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2006.
Hibernian news releases are also available on www.hibernian.ie