Big Car Insurance Savings For Young Drivers

Big Car Insurance Savings For Young Drivers

New immigrant and first year law student at Auckland University, Christopher Ting, has become the first young New Zealander eligible for big insurance savings and other benefits having passed the “Alchemy Driver Programme”, a new AA Driver Education programme designed to make young drivers safer drivers.

The Alchemy Driver programme has gained the support of AA Insurance, which is offering insurance cover for young Alchemy graduates (where some insurers may not give cover at all) and at rates that can be significantly cheaper (up to 39%).

Chief Executive of the AA Driver Education Foundation, Peter Sheppard, says the Alchemy Driver Programme gives young drivers a higher level of driving competency than a normal driving licence and one of the major incentives to complete the programme is better insurance options at a more affordable price.

“One of the big challenges for young people starting out driving (and their parents) is firstly being able to secure insurance, and then at an affordable price. The Alchemy Driver Programme rewards increased driving skills in a number of ways, and insurance availability and price is one of them”, he says.

Christopher Ting was presented with his Gold Status Certificate at a ceremony recently held at NZAA Head Office in Auckland.

To qualify for the award, Christopher completed a range of supervised driving activities that included achieving driving unit standards off the NZQA Framework. Having achieved this higher level of competent driving, Christopher is now eligible for a range of motoring incentives, including discounted motor vehicle insurance, vouchers for parts and accessories, CD’s, DVDs, movie tickets and food.

The Alchemy Driver Programme is an incentive-based reward programme designed to foster and reward safe drivers in the 15-24 age group. Now running throughout New Zealand it encourages a higher level of driving competency through supervised driving instruction and more involvement with parents and friends, at little extra cost to those normally associated with gaining a full Class One licence.

“As well as gaining formal qualifications on the NZQA Framework, Alchemy graduates are assisted with employment prospects”, says Peter Sheppard.

He says the programme fits alongside the new novice driver initiatives currently being developed by LTSA and ACC.

The AA Driver Education Foundation is a charitable trust and has gained support for participants to join the programme though Rotary, Otago Motor Trust, BMW NZ, Firestone, Toyota, Lion Foundation, ACC and the NZAA. Secondary schools include the programme as part of life skills activities and work alongside driving instructors with the programme.

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