British bikers have seen a series of increased costs and licensing challenges with motorcycle ownership over the last year. But an announcement from a governmental agency has given English riders the chance to reduce their motorcycle insurance premiums.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA), an executive agency of Britain's Department for Transport and the Motorcycle Industry Association have teamed up with leading motorcycle insurance companies to offer significant insurance discounts to all qualified bikers who successfully take part in the new 'Enhanced Rider Scheme' (ERS).
The ERS scheme is a new training package designed to meet with the Government Motorcycling Strategy, which aims to see significant reductions in the number of fatal and serious injury road accidents on our roads each year involving motorcyclists.
The scheme aims to encourage and help qualified riders become safer on the roads and so reduce accidents.
American insurance companies offer similar savings when riders successfully complete a recognized motorcycle safety course.
A national network of DSA Registered Post test Motorcycle Trainers (RPMT) has been developed to deliver rider skills assessments and training to those people who want to take part in the Enhanced Rider Scheme. Riders assessed as having no significant weaknesses receive a 'DSA Certificate of Competence - Enhanced Rider Bonus', which entitles them to insurance discounts. Riders who have significant weaknesses receive structured training and will receive the certificate upon successful improvement.
Many of the leading motorcycle insurers have signed up to the program and will offer discounts to riders who can show they can ride to the ERS standard. The insurance brokers and direct insurers currently sponsoring the scheme are: AA Insurance, Bennett's, Bikesure, Carole Nash, Chandler Direct, CIA, Devitt, Direct Choice, E Bike, Hastings Direct, MCE, Lexham, Motorcycle Direct, Norwich Union Direct, Express, Rampdale, Premium choice, Swinton. The scheme is supported by the following insurers: AXA, Chaucer, Equity Red Star, Groupama, Highway, KGM, Link, Zenith, NIG, Norwich Union and Royal & Sun Alliance.
