KevNYC
Premium
join:2002-03-31
Seattle, WA
1 edit | Defensive Driving Courses Now Online!
The NYSDMV now allows D.D. point reduction/insurance reduction courses to be taken online! Right now there are only 4 approved providers, their prices range from ~$37-60.
I signed up for the "Improv Traffic School" course earlier today. Things to note:
*Had to verify my identity with DL client number.
*Each section/chapter has a timer that MUST run out before I can take the mandatory quiz and move on to the next section. All chapter timers equal 320 mins total.
*Some type of security feature that recognizes the way I key in my password, its supposed to prevent people from allowing friends to complete the course for them.
*Can sign out and pick up where I left off later on.
I'll update once I complete the course (probably tomorrow).
Press release »www.NewYorkSafetyCouncil.com/nys···ment.pdf
Course offering list »www.nysdmv.com/pirp.htm#class
Update: Completed the course a few minutes ago, wasn't very impressed with this particular company. There were quite a few typos through the course material, and the videos in each chapter were grainy and poor quality. Also the site just wasn't very pleasing to look at. The course is $37.95, but I used coupon code "NJ39" which knocked $10 off. The DMV is electronically notified of the course completion, and the certificate of completion to send to my insurance company is being mailed first class. They offered other shipping options for the certificate, i.e. priority, overnight. I attached a copy of the syllabus for anyone interested.
Final thoughts: I'm glad NYS finally got on board and chose to allow the online courses, especially since I'm a college student away from home and I don't feel like spending 5 hours taking the course in person when I'm home on vacation. I wasn't pleased with the site, but I'm not going to complain since I spent $30 on the course and it knocks off ~$200 from my insurance premium.
Feel free to ask any questions.  |
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Dodge
Premium
join:2002-11-27
clubs: 
| Oh wow, finally. I've let my course expire simply because for me the savings were not worth the hassle of sitting in some stuffy autoschool room watching crappy videos for 6 hours.
This post alone just made my day. Thank you for posting this. |
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Network Guy
join:2000-08-25
New York | reply to KevNYC
Good shit. It knocks off 10% off my policy too, but like Dodge said, time is money and never felt like wasting a Saturday sitting thru the dumbass class at local driving school.
Might just do this, especially for the $10 cost. |
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archaned
Premium
join:2003-06-18
Brooklyn, NY | reply to KevNYC
this is great!!! thanks |
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MEDIAN2k3
Where Ya Goin?
Premium
join:2002-12-04
Bronx, NY
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Optimum Online
| reply to KevNYC
Well this sucks, a week after I had D.D. they come out with this.
Just my luck eh?
Well I guess I can't complain too much, I paid 39 bucks and I made a few new friends out of the experience.
--
Have a look at my life as a cab driver in the bronx! »bronxcabbie.blogspot.com |
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Dersgniw
Disco Crunchin
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-10
behind you
clubs:
·Optimum Online
| reply to KevNYC
I'm taking it right now... I just watched a 5 minute video and then waited 15 minutes for the timer to count down (after scanning the text lesson). Then took a 3 question quiz and chapter 1 is done!
--
I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope |
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KevNYC
Premium
join:2002-03-31
Seattle, WA
| reply to KevNYC
Another update for you guys. So I received my certificate of completion via mail. Called my insurance company, Liberty Mutual, and told them I took course, they ask me to fax in certificate which I did. A few minutes later I get a call back from LM saying that although its a DMV approved course, the NYS Dept of Insurance doesn't approve of online classes therefore they can't (or won't) apply the discount. After trying to argue my case, I realized I was getting no where and decided to call the Dept of Insurance. Much to my surprise, the rep on the phone sided with the insurance company and said they haven't approved online DD classes and therefore the insurance company does NOT have to apply to discount, AND they have no idea what the DMV is doing.
Why am I not surprised? Anyway, I'm going to call the DMV tomorrow and see what they say. |
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Alpha Phoenix
join:2001-06-15
Brooklyn, NY
clubs: |  reply to KevNYC
Great post. Thanks for the info. |
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Dersgniw
Disco Crunchin
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-10
behind you
clubs:
·Optimum Online
| reply to KevNYC
Let us know what you find.. my certificate is on the way. I can't imagine it won't be approved since that company is on the DMV website.
--
I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope |
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KevNYC
Premium
join:2002-03-31
Seattle, WA
| reply to KevNYC
After speaking with 5 people from the DMV and Dept of Insurance, they are asking people to file a complaint online if an insurance carrier is not applying the discount. The Dept of Insurance rep I just spoke to seemed to be the most knowledgeable, she mentioned that since the program is still relatively new, it's still being communicated to insurance companies. She recommended filing the complaint and mentioned that the Dept of Insurance will be calling insurance companies on our behalf and and straightening the situation out.
Online Complaint Form »www.ins.state.ny.us/complhow.htm |
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Network Guy
join:2000-08-25
New York
 ·PHONE POWER
·Broadvox Direct
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to KevNYC
Liberty Mutual is giving you the typical asshole payor runaround.
I completed the course online through IMPROV. GEICO applied the discount as soon as I faxed them the certificate.
Place a complaint with the FTC. Insurance companies are loaded up with knowledgeable drones who will do anything not to pay. |
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Dersgniw
Disco Crunchin
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-10
behind you
clubs:
·Optimum Online
| reply to KevNYC
I just walked into my Allstate office. They said they don't accept online courses. My agent wasn't in so they took a copy of the course certificate and said he'd call me tomorrow.
--
I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope |
|
Dersgniw
Disco Crunchin
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-10
behind you
clubs:
·Optimum Online
| I just called and my agent said he'd take care of it... I've actually been pretty fortunate with my Allstate agents over the years.. they're typically pretty helpful.
--
I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope |
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Dodge
Premium
join:2002-11-27
clubs: | reply to KevNYC
So was anyone successful in getting their insurance to recognize this? |
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KevNYC
Premium
join:2002-03-31
Seattle, WA | I actually just checked my policy online and the discount was applied. So file with the Dept of Insurance if their giving you the run around. |
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Dersgniw
Disco Crunchin
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-10
behind you
clubs: | Mine was applied as well. Thanks for saving me some money Kev! |
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Network Guy
join:2000-08-25
New York | reply to KevNYC
Yah, forgot to say thanks for saving me dough too. Thx Kev  |
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Coderedpl
Premium
join:2003-03-13
Brooklyn, NY | reply to KevNYC
Anybody have the answers? :P
J/k
This will knock off up to 4 points off your record too, correct? |
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KevNYC
Premium
join:2002-03-31
Seattle, WA | Yep.. "If you take a DMV-approved accident prevention course, you can"
reduce your driver violation point total by a maximum of four points, and
save 10 percent on your automobile liability and collision insurance premiums." |
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Dodge
Premium
join:2002-11-27
clubs:
| said by KevNYC  :Yep.. "If you take a DMV-approved accident prevention course, you can" reduce your driver violation point total by a maximum of four points, and save 10 percent on your automobile liability and collision insurance premiums." That's not exactly true. It raises the maximum allowed points to suspension by 4. NYS licenses get suspended for having 11 points. If you have the course you can go as high as 15 points, but if you had 11 on your record you still have 11 not 7. |
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