New York

 

You can save big money on your New York car insurance! (potentially 100's of dollars)  Sound like a commercial?  Of course it does.  The difference: this time it’s true, and the reason is the New York Defensive Driving course.  The State of New York Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV) formally calls the program the Point Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP), but the class is more commonly known as New York Defensive Driving.  And the New York Defensive Driving course is now available online.

There’s no doubt you want a simple way to save on your New York Car Insurance.  This article will remove some of the confusion that you might have distinguishing between traffic school or driver’s ed or any other programs available and give you the low-down on New York Defensive Driving and the Point Insurance Reduction Program.  When your done reading this article you should: (1) understand how the New York Defensive Driving course, (2) know how to take a New York Defensive Driving course online, and (3) understand the benefits you will get from a New York Defensive Driving course in the form of cheaper car insurance and the removal of points from your license – guaranteed.  Yes, cheaper car insurance guaranteed not by your insurance company, but by the State of New York.  In other words, you don’t have to take your insurance companies word for it, in this case, cheaper car insurance is required by law.

OK, so you’re interested.  Now what is a New York Defensive Driving course (also known as Point Insurance Reduction Program)?  Put simply, New York Defensive Driving (PIRP) is a program approved by the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, available through private organizations called course sponsors.  Before being approved, these New York Defensive Driving programs are thoroughly reviewed for the safe driving information presented and the effectiveness of the program. There are three principles benefits of taking a New York Defensive Driving Program.  First, you will be exposed to a review of safe driving tips and an overview of vehicle and traffic laws to refresh your memory (depending on how long it’s been since you received your driver’s license, this may come in handy).  Second, you may be eligible to reduce up to four (4) points from your New York driving record.  The NY DMV computer system is set up to automatically determine your point reduction eligibility.  The third benefit of taking a New York Defensive Driving program course is that if you are a principal operator of a motor vehicle, you will receive – by legal requirement – a minimum reduction of ten percent (10%) in the base rate of your motor vehicle and motorcycle liability and collision premiums each year for three (3) years.  That’s a lot of savings on your New York car insurance.

So, the New York Defensive Driving program/PIRP program has some big benefits.  Here’s some information about the time the New York Defensive Driving course will take, what it will consist of and how much it will cost.  You will spend at least six (6) hours in an approved PIPR course.  Note: the motorcycle safety/accident prevention course will take longer.  Any New York Defensive Driving class will consist of the following topics: traffic safety, driver attitude and behavior, defensive driving techniques, and the Vehicle and Traffic Law.  Beyond that, the content, materials and fees may vary among the various approved New York Defensive Driving courses.  You will not be required to take a formal test to complete a New York Defensive Driving program.

Now you may be wondering, “If I take the New York Defensive Driving course, how will my points be reduced?”  It’s simple.  The New York Defensive Driving course/PIRP sponsor will notify the New York DMV within ten (10) weeks of your completion of the course.  That notice will be entered onto your driving record and the DMV’s computers will automatically reduce your active point total by up to four (4) points.  Completion of the New York Defensive Driving course will not reduce, remove, delete, subtract or otherwise erase any violation, conviction or notice of the original number of points from your driver record, BUT the NY DMV will not count the reduced points on your driving record toward license suspension or revocation (unless your license has already been revoked or suspended, or if a violation hearing has already been suspended). 

The PIRP/New York Defensive Driving point reduction applies to points assessed for violations that occurred within the eighteen (18) months immediately before you complete a course.  It will not apply to points for violations that occurred earlier, and it also can’t be used to apply against future violations/points.  And itt can’t reduce your point total below zero.

Also, be aware that you cannot use a New York Defensive Driving course to prevent a mandatory revocation or suspension for violations such as three speeding violations within eighteen (18) months, DWI or DWAI.

And you are limited to reducing your via the York Defensive Driving/PIRP program only once in any eighteen (18) month period.  Be aware also that the DMV point system and your insurance company’s point system are not necessarily related.  Point reduction on your driving record does not affect points your insurance company assigned you for violations and accidents.

One final thing to know – completion of a New York Defensive Driving course (Point & Insurance Reduction Program) cannot prevent or reduce the calculation of points affecting any Driver Responsibility Assessment.

That all said, you are guaranteed to save money if you take a New York Defensive Driving course (that’s why PIRP includes the phrase “insurance reduction,” after all).  Once you complete the New York Defensive Driving course, the course sponsor will provide you (by mail) a certificate of completion within forty-five (45) days.  And if you present the certificate to your insurance company or car insurance agent within 90 days of completion, your liability and collision car insurance premium will begin right away, and it will even apply retroactively to the day you finished the course.  But be sure to not delay.  If you present the certificate after the ninety (90) day period has lapsed since course completion, the insurer may issue the premium discount effective from the date presented, without applying it retroactively.  If you don’t receive your certificate within eight (8) weeks of completion of a New York Defensive Driving class, the New York DMV recommends that you contact the PIRP course sponsor. 

By law, you can maintain the car insurance reduction benefits by taking the New York Defensive Driving course once every three years.  Therefore, you can obtain and continue to receive cheaper car insurance by taking a New York Defensive Driving course (but be aware, the New York Defensive Driving/PIRP program does not prevent general car insurance premium increase, or premium increases due to violations or actions; it provides a mandatory reduction of 10% for three years, from the base rate of your current liability and collision insurance premiums).

If you’ve thoroughly read this article, you are ready to save money on car insurance, and possibly reduce your risk of license revocation or suspension by taking advantage of the New York Defensive Driving/Point & Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) program approved by the New York DMV.