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Car Insurance for the Over 70s: What you Need to Know

Reaching the age of 70 should not be an impediment to your freedom on the road. The goal is to provide comprehensive insurance and affordable car insurance for drivers over 70, allowing you to continue your journey with peace of mind.

The Unmatched Value of Experience

Driving is an activity that hones with age and experience. The wealth of knowledge and understanding that mature drivers over 70 bring to our roads is often overlooked. These drivers have decades of experience dealing with various road conditions, navigating heavy traffic, and responding to unpredictable situations. This extensive driving history often demonstrates safer driving habits, potentially leading to a cheaper premium with some specialist insurers.

Understanding Car Insurance Needs for Over 70s

Every driver has unique insurance requirements. These can range from the type of coverage needed to the level of customer service expected. For drivers over the age of 70, certain factors become increasingly relevant, such as medical conditions, annual mileage, and the need for comprehensive insurance that offers the right cover for their lifestyle.

For those who own a classic car, specialist car insurance may be the best option. Many insurers offer cover specifically designed for classic cars, taking into account limited mileage and the care these vehicles receive.

Keeping Premiums Affordable

Affordability is a key concern for most drivers over 70. With retirement, income levels might change, and the need for cost-effective car insurance becomes paramount. To secure a cheaper car insurance policy:

  • Compare Quotes: Different insurers offer various deals, and comparing them can help you secure the right price.
  • No Claims Discount: Maintaining a clean claims history can significantly reduce your car insurance cost.
  • Consider Black Box Insurance: Installing a black box device can provide insurers with insights into your driving habits, potentially lowering your premiums.
  • Increase Your Voluntary Excess: Choosing a higher voluntary excess can help reduce your overall premium.
  • Pay Car Insurance Annually: Many insurers charge interest on monthly payments, so paying in one lump sum can save you money.
  • Take an Advanced Driving Course: Completing an advanced driving assessment can demonstrate your safe driver status and reduce your insurance costs.

Exceptional Customer Service

Customer service takes on a new level of importance for older drivers. Quick response times, friendly service, and the ability to handle claims efficiently are all aspects that drivers over 70 value highly. Choosing specialist insurers known for their dedication to mature drivers can make a significant difference in your experience.

Additional Cover for Peace of Mind

When choosing car insurance, it’s important to consider extra features that offer enhanced protection:

  • Courtesy Car Cover: Ensures you have access to a replacement car if your vehicle is in for repairs.
  • Onward Taxi Travel: Provides additional support if your car breaks down far from home.
  • Uninsured Driver Promise: Protects your no claims discount and covers damage if you’re hit by an uninsured driver.
  • Legal Expenses Cover: Helps with costs if you need to take legal action following an accident.

How to Find the Best Car Insurance for Over 70s

Finding the best car insurance for drivers aged 70 doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Here are a few steps that can guide you through the process:

Compare Quotes

One of the most effective ways to find the best deal is by comparing quotes from different insurance providers. Look at not just the price but also the cover, exclusions, and customer reviews.

Check for Discounts

Many insurance providers offer discounts that can significantly reduce your premiums. These can include discounts for safe driving, low mileage, completing an advanced driving course and even for having multiple policies with the same provider.

Review Your Cover Regularly

As your circumstances change, so too should your coverage. Make it a habit to review your renewal quote annually to ensure it still fits your needs.

The Road Ahead

Car insurance for drivers aged 70 and above should be affordable, comprehensive, and backed by excellent customer service. By recognising the unique needs of this age group and addressing them, it’s possible to provide car insurance that not only meets but exceeds expectations. Whether you’re looking to protect your classic car, cover driving abroad, or simply find the right cover at the right price, there are many insurers ready to help you stay safe on UK roads.

Get over 70’s car insurance quotes now

If you want to get car insurance quotes now, then simply click the green button below to get started. After you’ve provided the necessary details, you’ll have access to your quotes. All you have to do is look through them and pick the one that’s best!

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Over 70s Car Insurance FAQs

Will my gender affect how much I pay for my car insurance?

No. Although women are statistically less likely to be involved in collisions compared to men, an EU law that was passed in 2012 means that gender cannot be used as a factor when calculating the cost of insurance premiums. Therefore men and women will both pay the same, everything else being equal.

Will fitting a dash cam reduce my car insurance policy?

Having a dash cam will allow you to make a saving on your insurance with some providers. A dash cam can provide evidence of who was at fault in a collision, which makes things much easier for your insurance provider, so it’s certainly worth the investment to get one.

What information do I need to take out a car insurance policy?

In order to take out a car insurance policy, you’ll need to provide the following information –
  • Personal details – This includes things like your name, address, occupation, age etc.
  • Details about your car – Insurance providers will also need to know about the car you want to insure. This includes its make and model, age, engine size and registration number.
  • Your no claims bonus –If you have a NCB, then be sure to inform insurance providers since you could make a significant saving. This isn’t a requirement if you’re a new driver and don’t have any NCB.
  • Additional drivers – If you want to name any additional drivers on the policy, such as your spouse or children, you’ll need to let insurance providers know when you first take out the policy.
  • Driving licence number – You’ll also need to provide your driving licence number to show it’s valid.

What is a no claims bonus?

A no claims bonus is a type of discount you can benefit from when you rack up significant time on your car insurance without making a claim. Most insurance providers will give you a discount if you have a good NCB.

How do I make a claim under my car insurance policy?

To make a claim on your car insurance, you would usually take the following steps –
  1. Gather any necessary evidence you think might be useful to your claim, whether it’s photographs, dash cam footage, a crime reference number in the case of vandalism/theft etc.
  2. Check your policy documents to see the best way to get in touch with your insurance provider
  3. Contact your insurance provider and let them know all relevant details about the incident

Will I need to pass a credit check to take out car insurance?

If you decide to pay for your policy monthly, then most insurance providers will do a credit check to see your credit score and make a decision on whether they’ll offer you a policy based on that. The credit check won’t affect your credit score.

Is car insurance more expensive for new drivers?

Yes, it’s usually the case that you’ll pay more for car insurance if you’re a new driver. Inexperience combined with the fact that new drivers are often young drivers, makes it more likely a claim will be made and therefore cover is higher compared to more experienced drivers.

What is an excess under a private car policy?

Excess is the amount you would pay towards a claim should you have to make one. For example, if you were involved in a collision and the cost of repairs was £1000 and your excess was £200, you would pay the first £200 towards it and your insurance provider would pay the remaining £800. The excess can be increased as a way to cut down the cost of your premium.

What is ‘driving other cars’ insurance?

‘Driving other cars’ is a extension on your car insurance policy that allows you to drive someone else’s car without being a driver under  their policy. In years past, third party only cover was provided for driving other vehicles not belonging to you but most insurers have now done away with this

Can I insure multiple cars under a car insurance policy?

Yes. If you want to insure multiple cars together, then you can do this with a family fleet policy. This is ideal for families and can be a good way to save money compared to taking out individual policies. If you want to insure a lot of cars together, for example if you have a business that makes use of multiple cars, then you can get a regular fleet insurance policy.

What type of car insurance policy is most suitable for me?

This will depend on the level of protection you want as well as what you can afford. It’s worth reading through the different factors that affect the price of car insurance further up the page, since this will give you a better idea of how expensive cover would likely be depending on your car, your location, your age etc. If you only want minimal coverage at the cheapest price, then a third party only policy is usually the best choice. If you want full cover for your own vehicle, then fully comprehensive is the way to go.

The best ways to save money on car insurance?

Yes. Some good ways to save money on your car insurance are –
  • Pay annually rather than monthly – Most insurance providers will offer you a discount if you pay for your policy annually rather than monthly.
  • Make your car as secure as possible – Any steps you can take to make your car more secure will certainly help to lower the cost of your cover. Alarms, immobilisers and GPS trackers are excellent ways to improve the security of your vehicle.
  • Take out a lower level of cover – Another good way to lower costs is by taking out a bare bones policy that only provides third party cover. This will usually be cheaper than a fully comprehensive policy with additional cover options like breakdown cover and liability claims.
  • Shop around – Getting quotes from many insurance providers is highly recommended if you want to save money on your cover. By having a lot of quotes, you can easily compare them and pick the one that’s best value for money.
  • Choose a higher excess – This is a bit of a risky way to save money compared to the others because ultimately, you won’t save money if you have to make a claim. It is a good way to reduce the upfront cost though.

Do I need car insurance by law?

Yes. Although nobody likes paying for car insurance, it is a legal requirement and driving without it could easily result in points on your licence or a driving ban.