There are certain vocations in which paperwork and – more importantly – insurance will be an integral part. Driving tuition is one such arena, and not only will sourcing the right insurance cover be important for driving instructors in terms of satisfying legal requirements, but it will also be very important financially, and skimping on premiums to lower startup costs is likely to be far more costly for instructors in the long term.
However, choosing the right cover is not as simple as paying a reasonable amount, and instead there will be a whole range of pitfalls to navigate and avoid if you want to ensure you are covered for every eventuality and do not find yourself in financial, or indeed legal, trouble. So what should you consider when choosing ADI insurance?
Modifications
When it comes to getting a quote for insurance, it will be vital to be completely honest about what you plan to do with your car, who you plan to do it with and how you plan to do it. If your car has been modified, do not hide this in the hope of getting a cheaper quote as this will only lead to the invalidation of your cover. However, it is not just obvious modifications you will need to mention. Even adding dual controls to your car will be classed as a modification, even if this is in the interest of safety, and you will need to ensure that any insurance company you choose is aware of such changes to your vehicle.
Don’t choose based on cost
Low premiums are good, but only if the company are actually going to pay out or are still going to be around if you need to make a claim. As such, whilst looking for lower cost cover may be appealing, always ensure that you know exactly what you will be getting for your money (ensuring you are fully covered and not cutting corners), that excess fees are reasonable and that the insurance company you choose are reputable and have an excellent track record.
Find proper cover
Don’t assume that ordinary fully comprehensive insurance will allow you to operate your own personal driving school. Whilst being insured on a car, being over 21 and having been legally able to drive for over three years will indeed allow you to be in the car with a learner whilst they take the wheel, ordinary insurance won’t cover you to use your vehicle for business purposes. Not getting the proper insurance will not only lead to your cover being void, but it may also lead to serious legal problems and in turn the potential for you to lose your ability to teach in the future.
Don’t just find car insurance
Finally, remember it is not all about your car. Whilst the right ADI insurance will be vital, it is not the only insurance you will need. Instead, you will also need to take out personal liability cover in case a student or a member of the public is injured as a result of your teaching. Such claims will often end up being far more costly than repairing a car would be and if you do not have the right liability cover as well as the right ADI cover, you could find yourself facing very serious problems indeed.
Author bio: Alan Holmes is a freelance writer and blogger. He regularly writes articles about driving tuition and vehicle insurance, using sites such Mastercover as to stay up to date with all the latest industry news and developments.
