Berkshire and Hanover insurance announce contest for free driving lessons

Date: 11/21/2011

GREATER SPRINGFIELD — Berkshire Insurance Group, a Berkshire Bank affiliate, and The Hanover Insurance Group announced on Nov. 10 that they will sponsor the highly regarded In Control Crash Prevention safe driving program for 40 lucky high school students in Western Massachusetts.

Students will be selected by random drawing from entries received at participating high schools and Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Insurance Group locations throughout Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley. Selected students will attend In Control’s four-and-a-half-hour program free of charge. The program — valued at $350 — will be at Barnes Airport in Westfield on Dec. 10.

With more than 20,000 graduates, the state-certified In Control Crash Prevention training program has proven to save lives and significantly reduce crashes involving participating drivers.

Participants will be taught the skills they need to avoid the most common and serious accidents. Through a series of fun, hands-on, safe and controlled driving drills, they will learn how to avoid accidents at highway speeds; how to handle tailgaters; how to use anti-lock brake systems; and how to properly make emergency lane changes.

On Dec. 9 and 11, Berkshire Insurance Group and The Hanover also will offer discounted In Control courses at the Barnes Airport location to interested teens and adults.

Registrants receive a preferred Hanover rate of 15 percent discount off the course price, paying just $297.50 for the first family member and just $195.50 for all additional family members. Drivers who complete the course additionally will be eligible for up to a 10 percent discount for up to five years on their auto insurance premium.

“We are thrilled to partner with Berkshire Insurance Group to sponsor this valuable course,” Edward C. Ruhl, regional vice president at The Hanover Insurance Group, said. “It is our hope that this training, combined with our program discount, will help to raise awareness of the importance of safe driving and ultimately help improve the safety of our roads.”

James Herrick Jr., vice president of personal lines at Berkshire Insurance Group, said, “We are especially pleased and proud to be able to offer this contest for local teens and a discount for local residents in collaboration with The Hanover. Driving accidents are the leading cause of death of teens nationwide. The In Control program can help all drivers take their driving skills to the next level — which may ultimately save lives.”

Eligible students (those with a valid Massachusetts driver’s permit or license) can qualify by submitting a completed application form, signed by a parent and attached to a copy of their license or permit to a drop-box in their participating high schools and at all Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Insurance Group locations in Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley.

Students and parents can pick up materials in the main office of a participating high school or at any Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Insurance Group office in Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley, or call The Hanover at (508) 855-6366. Registration is available through Nov. 28, and award recipients will be notified by Dec. 2.

To learn more about the In Control discount or to sign-up for a discounted course, adults and teens can visit www.driveincontrol.com/Hanover.