Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! in New York http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22450049 en Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:32:38 EDT Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:32:38 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22812068 adrman : good point. I didn't think of that scenario since we only have one car.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22812068 Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:13:11 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22808857 Dersgniw :
said by adrman See Profile :

It's also worth noting that the discounts can only be applied to the primary driver on the policy. If you're the primary, it doesn't pay to have your wife complete the course. There's no additional discount to be had.
Unless you have 2 vehicles and your wife is the primary on the 2nd vehicle. You can only get the discount on one vehicle per primary driver.
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I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22808857 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:06:30 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22799738 adrman : I got the discount amounts back from Geico now that they have my certificate. It turns out it gets you a break on more than liability. These are the before and after amounts on a 6 month premium.
Bodily Injury Liability $154.70 $140.50
Property Damage Liability $46.10 $42.10
Basic Personal Injury Protection $81.60 $74.30
Collision $187.70 $170.10
Total Discount $43.10 and I'll continue to be discounted for 3 years.

It's also worth noting that the discounts can only be applied to the primary driver on the policy. If you're the primary, it doesn't pay to have your wife complete the course. There's no additional discount to be had.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22799738 Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:19:33 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22792569 KCrimson :
said by PCInTech See Profile :

I just had to babysit an older woman taking the FL Driver's course for this reason, and she couldn't operate a mouse. I had to do all the clicking for her. Entire course and tests took us over 6 hours.
I'm happy she'll be driving in Florida, and not Brooklyn. :D
In 6 hours she couldn't master even this basic the use of a mouse? I don't even want to imagine what she's like behind a wheel - my mother-in-law in central New Jersey is similar. Sometimes she tells me about incidents on the road and I cringe at the thought of her behind the wheel. She can't see above the steering wheel without extra padding, has the wheel practically in her lap, doesn't even bother adjusting EITHER of her side-view mirrors ("I don't use them"), drives at a snail's pace and has never known nor cared about the flow of traffic. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22792569 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:59:46 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22791330 PCInTech :
said by KevNYC See Profile :

What? Not sure if I understand you correctly. This is by no means required for your insurance, and the regular in-class course is still being offered. Also, don't all public libraries have computers if you REALLY wanted to do it online.
The in-class course requires a trip across the county, in our case, it's an hour each way to the nearest DMV office. Our public library limits your use to one hour per patron. Then there's people who don't have a clue how to use one of the things. I just had to babysit an older woman taking the FL Driver's course for this reason, and she couldn't operate a mouse. I had to do all the clicking for her. Entire course and tests took us over 6 hours.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22791330 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:04:47 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22791322 PCInTech :
said by way2evil See Profile :

You are in NY and have to drive an hour to use a computer????
To take the class in person, not to use a computer. Apparently you don't know much about rural Northern NY State? ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22791322 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:01:59 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22787164 KevNYC :
said by PCInTech See Profile :

problem with this is, not everyone in NYS has a COMPUTER and can do this. So it costs them more, and in some cases, having to drive an hour each way or more, to take the test.
What? Not sure if I understand you correctly. This is by no means required for your insurance, and the regular in-class course is still being offered. Also, don't all public libraries have computers if you REALLY wanted to do it online.
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University of Washington - Class of 2009. Go Huskies!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22787164 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:02:10 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22775925 way2evil :
said by PCInTech See Profile :

problem with this is, not everyone in NYS has a COMPUTER and can do this. So it costs them more, and in some cases, having to drive an hour each way or more, to take the test.
You are in NY and have to drive an hour to use a computer???? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22775925 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:38:49 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22761577 PCInTech : problem with this is, not everyone in NYS has a COMPUTER and can do this. So it costs them more, and in some cases, having to drive an hour each way or more, to take the test.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22761577 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:36:49 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22761478 adrman : I think the discount only applies to liability. I just completed the course while I was sitting in the jury tank this week. Once I get my certificate and hear back from Geico on the $ amount of the discount, I'll post it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22761478 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:17:23 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22760760 NY Tel :
said by Coderedpl See Profile :

said by NY Tel See Profile :

said by Coderedpl See Profile :

took the course from myimprov. Did it in one day (both at work and home). Received certificate few days later, sent out to geico and discount was applied.
Ok I am with Geico and thinking of my wife and I taking the course online.. How much was your bill before and how much is it now? In other words, to what portion of the bill is the discount applied?
I'm not exactly sure since there is two people on my policy.
I'm only 18 so my discount is higher than my brothers. My brothers was around ~90 and mine was around ~170$ discounted.
More money to spend in the girlfriend..... :)

Thanks]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22760760 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:57:10 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22760672 Coderedpl :
said by NY Tel See Profile :

said by Coderedpl See Profile :

took the course from myimprov. Did it in one day (both at work and home). Received certificate few days later, sent out to geico and discount was applied.
Ok I am with Geico and thinking of my wife and I taking the course online.. How much was your bill before and how much is it now? In other words, to what portion of the bill is the discount applied?
I'm not exactly sure since there is two people on my policy.
I'm only 18 so my discount is higher than my brothers. My brothers was around ~90 and mine was around ~170$ discounted. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22760672 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:41:14 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22760243 NY Tel :
said by Coderedpl See Profile :

took the course from myimprov. Did it in one day (both at work and home). Received certificate few days later, sent out to geico and discount was applied.
Ok I am with Geico and thinking of my wife and I taking the course online.. How much was your bill before and how much is it now? In other words, to what portion of the bill is the discount applied? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22760243 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:24:43 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22759978 Coderedpl : took the course from myimprov. Did it in one day (both at work and home). Received certificate few days later, sent out to geico and discount was applied. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22759978 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:38:38 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22616864 Network Guy : If the violations were minor, it wouldn't affect your premiums anyway.

I have five points on mine from two moving violations. GEICO didn't raise my premiums on the last renewal. GEICO did lower the premium by $80 per year with the driving course though.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22616864 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:41:21 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597647 Coderedpl : I visited the DMV today and spoke with one of the guys at the "counter"

I was told the same thing as someone mentioned, it raises your maximum by 4 instead of removing 4. Don't really see a point in this except for the insurance deduction because of my 4 points :/ ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597647 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:48:28 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22592062 Network Guy :
said by way2evil See Profile :

The final exam was "Do you promise to abide by all NY laws?"
I used improv driving school so if you want an easy class go with them.
I used IMPROV too. One of the questions in the survey was "Has this course had any impact in your driving habits?"

I answered no

lol]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22592062 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:37:44 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22585293 Dersgniw : It is easy, but you have to baby sit. You can read the material for each chapter in about 5 minutes (if you choose) and then you have to wait 30 minutes for the timer. And sometime in that 30 minutes you'll have to type your password within 2 minutes.

It is a joke, but what do you expect when you mix government with insurance?
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I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22585293 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:47:45 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22584491 way2evil : What a joke. I read the text in five minutes and then waited for the timer to run down. Then I took a 3 question quiz with one of the questions: "What color was the background in the firs comic?" The final exam was "Do you promise to abide by all NY laws?"
I used improv driving school so if you want an easy class go with them. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22584491 Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:21:17 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22578101 NY Tel :
said by Dersgniw See Profile :

By quickly reading that your points are reduced by 4, I would (surely ignorantly) think that those points are wiped away. The cop that pulls me over next won't see them and my insurance won't see them.

In his explanation your insurance will still see your points after taking the course. But, you're allowed 4 extra points before you get your license revoked, meaning this part of the program has little incentive to most of us.
Yeah, sounds like Abbot and Costello logic to me too. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22578101 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:58:54 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22576993 Dersgniw : By quickly reading that your points are reduced by 4, I would (surely ignorantly) think that those points are wiped away. The cop that pulls me over next won't see them and my insurance won't see them.

In his explanation your insurance will still see your points after taking the course. But, you're allowed 4 extra points before you get your license revoked, meaning this part of the program has little incentive to most of us.
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I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22576993 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:43:39 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22576268 KevNYC :
said by Dodge See Profile :

said by KevNYC See Profile :

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.
I quoted from the NYSDMV website. In the end, what's the difference?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22576268 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:35:06 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22572984 Dodge :
said by KevNYC See Profile :

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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22572984 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:39:34 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22570460 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."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22570460 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 03:06:18 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22570095 Coderedpl : Anybody have the answers? :P
J/k

This will knock off up to 4 points off your record too, correct?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22570095 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:17:11 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22566992 Network Guy : Yah, forgot to say thanks for saving me dough too. Thx Kev :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22566992 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:35:25 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22566282 Dersgniw : Mine was applied as well. Thanks for saving me some money Kev!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22566282 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:00:19 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22566200 KevNYC : 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22566200 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:51:36 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22560038 Dodge : So was anyone successful in getting their insurance to recognize this?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22560038 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:55:31 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22540886 Dersgniw : 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.
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I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22540886 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:57:42 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22534918 Dersgniw : 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.
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I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22534918 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:38:48 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22529010 Network Guy : 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22529010 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:40:00 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22496311 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]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22496311 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:34:57 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22496279 Dersgniw : 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.
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I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22496279 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:28:09 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22493966 Alpha Phoenix : Great post. Thanks for the info. :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22493966 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:50:50 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22493077 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22493077 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:52:17 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22483210 Dersgniw : 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!
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I Smell Cures! -- Our Hope]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22483210 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:11:17 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22474560 MEDIAN2k3 : 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.
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Have a look at my life as a cab driver in the bronx! »bronxcabbie.blogspot.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22474560 Sun, 31 May 2009 21:34:37 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22473025 archaned : this is great!!! thanks]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22473025 Sun, 31 May 2009 15:15:50 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22457682 Network Guy : 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22457682 Thu, 28 May 2009 11:57:58 EDT Re: Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22453545 Dodge : 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22453545 Wed, 27 May 2009 17:31:39 EDT Defensive Driving Courses Now Online! http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22450049 KevNYC : 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. :)
screen shot.pdf
Syllabus
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22450049 Wed, 27 May 2009 04:11:16 EDT