Q1 What is the IAM doing to persuade councils to return open roads (mainly ‘A’ roads) with specific speed limits to their previous National Speed limit status?
We simply do not have the resource to ‘lobby’ every council, however we do have a view that guidance on speed limit should be reviewed where national speed limits apply on rural roads. This really is a council decision presently and we would generally encourage them to undertake reviews regularly or be led by Stats19 data and make changes where the data indicates a significant problem.
At the club night members understood that IAM is a road safety organisation and therefore cannot be involved in such things as speed limit settings by Councils.
Q2 Further to a recent unsatisfactory experience with my bike insurance renewal with the IAM recommended insurer Cornmarket. I would like to ask why the IAM promote Cornmarket when they are extremely expensive by comparison. I reinsured with RAC for £218. Cornmarket wanted £745. The RAC policy offered more as well.
We acknowledge that some members may find a more competitive insurance quote from the dozens that are available to them via online aggregators. However, where Cornmarket’s preferential premiums are not always the most competitive, they can offer a unique price-match member benefit where they can at least match any alternative quote that is based on comparable cover (subject to acceptance criteria and a minimum premium).
Cornmarket are ensuring that IAM RoadSmart members are not expected to pay a price any greater than they would pay elsewhere. They also endeavour to ensure that members attain a level of cover which is often higher than can be found on the open market. Cornmarket provide a specialised insurance service for IAM RoadSmart members which, in turn, helps them to make significant charitable contributions to IAM RoadSmart to support the advancement of road safety in the UK.
There were varied responses to this by members, some who have found Cornmarket quotes acceptable. In particular those needing observer cover. Though others not so.
Q3 What do you see as the value of local members continuing to be members of IAM if they are not observers, officials or seeking further training? For some it feels that the only value they receive is a magazine and some not so great discounts.
We treat the membership fee as a donation to charity so that we can grow and develop our mission to create better skilled and safer motorists. The membership fees allow the charity to operate our member’s database, IMI assessment and regulation, advertising and social media, training manuals, courses and development of new courses, group support, examination and assessment plus business operations that support the charity mission. The charity underpins your qualifications as an advanced rider and supports groups in their operation and guidance. The magazine and any discounts are an add-on to the membership.
Members found the response that their membership fee is seen by IAM as a donation to charity a revelation. At least the response made this clear.
Q4 How can IAM improve its resourcing and support of local groups? We have not received a visit from a IAM staff member for a number of years. Apart from regional forums, there appears no other support (for example bringing neighbouring chairs/chief observers together to discuss potential joint initiatives, or sharing good practice).
I can only apologise if you have felt left out by me or my predecessor, for not visiting the group more often. EKAM has always been viewed as a successful group and as my availability has been vastly reduced through increased demands, I have tended to focus my time on groups needing the extra support to develop and improve. EKAM committee always have the choice to contact their ASDM to discuss matters and have in the past done so about membership. We have been running joint initiatives years and continue to do so. Through our liaison groups have created fast track Observer training systems, Associate rapid testing, Associate training updates, Committee and group running advice. If EKAM would like to be bigger partners in any of these plans and wish to work with surrounding groups then please contact the ASDM and together they can find solutions.
It was good to know that the EKAM is seen as a succesfull group. Though it was also a surprise that there have been intiatives taking place such as joint initatives and liaison groups which we were not aware of.
Q5 What is the IAM doing to ensure that all examiners are testing to the same standards as each other? Because it seems to the observers that they are not.
This is the first I have heard of this matter. If EKAM Observers question standards, then they need to raise it with the Committee and the ASDM to discuss their concerns. Examiners undertake an IMI Examiner assessment with their ASDM every three years to check standards and any development areas are addressed during the session. Examiners who do not match the assessment standard are withdrawn from Examining.
Q6 How are the IAM justifying the dramatic price increase for the advanced course without offering something additional in the package? In 2020 it was £145, and now in 2024 it's £215.
In brief the main points are: -
- When we could see that almost all our Charity products in our portfolio during 2023/2024 were making a loss, the price increases were deemed necessary in order to break even or return a very small profit to re-invest in our ongoing charitable aims.
- Inflationary pressures nationally and internationally were increasing, while our course prices had remained the same since 2022/23
- Many course prices were undervalued, particularly compared to the wider market
- Therefore, we benchmarked external products in our review against our competitors
- We are pleased to be able to increase the share that each Group receives from each course
- Allows income (we do not profit from this) to be reinvested back into new products, research and promoting road safety in the community
- Investment in product development, by recruiting a new position – Head of Product Development, Helen Doran
- We have communicated these updates and developments with all IAM RS stakeholders
- We will continue to carry out an annual product price review; as part of this we will communicate with Group Chairs in advance of each price review
- Our goal is to create a sustainable charity which saves lives on the roads. We cannot do that by losing money...We are pleased to be able to increase the share that each Group receives from each course.