Car Expert Reveals Tips For The Elderly As Insurance Soars By 27%

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Elderly drivers were recently issued a stark warning as car insurance costs soar, potentially costing an extra £600 to stay on the roads.

It was revealed that those aged between 65 and 79 saw a steep increase in premiums at 26%, and those aged 80 experienced a rise of 27%.

With this in mind, Connor Campbell at Independent Advisor Car Insurance was keen to share their expertise on how to get cheaper car insurance for over 70s.

Can I still get car insurance if I’m over 70?

Connor Campbell, an expert at Independent Advisor Car Insurance says:
“Legally, car insurance has no maximum age limit as long as you’re still fit and healthy enough to drive. So in your 70s and beyond, a car insurance policy will allow you to maintain your independence and stay on the road, however, you may have slightly less choice.

“While most car insurance providers don’t impose an age limit on their policies, some do. This will normally be between 70 and 80 years of age.”

What do I need to know about driving over the age of 70?

You have to renew your licence at 70: Regardless of when you last renewed it, your license will expire when you’re 70, so you’ll have to renew it if you want to keep driving. The Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) should send you the application form 90 days before your 70th birthday.

You have to renew your licence every three years: Once you’ve renewed at 70, you will have to renew it every three years rather than every 10.

You must meet the minimum eyesight requirements: While everyone who drives has to meet the minimum eyesight requirements, it can be more of a concern as you get older. You must be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away, have a visual acuity of at least a 0.5 measure on the Snellen scale (that’s the classic letter test at the opticians) and have an adequate field of vision.

You must inform the DVLA of any relevant medical conditions: When you renew your driving licence, you must inform the DVLA of any new or progressed medical conditions that could affect your driving. You’ll also need to update your licence if you’re diagnosed with a notifiable condition before you’re due to renew. You can find an A-Z list of conditions at gov.uk. If you fail to tell the DVLA about a condition that affects your driving, you can be fined up to £1,000. Failure to inform your insurance provider could invalidate your policy in the event of a claim.

You won’t be able to drive while the DVLA conducts medical checks: If you have a condition that affects your driving, the DVLA will conduct medical checks to assess whether you can renew your licence. During this period, you won’t be able to drive.

How to get cheap car insurance over 70?

As you enter your 70s, your driving habits may change. You’re likely to be retired, potentially driving less than you were even a decade prior. If that is the case, there are some specialist policies you could consider pursuing to reduce your premium.

Low-mileage car insurance: If you drive fewer miles than the national average (around 7,400 miles), you may be eligible for low-mileage car insurance. This is cheaper than standard car insurance for the simple reason that if you’re on the road less, you’re less likely to be in an accident and make a claim.

Pay-as-you-go car insurance: If you’ve begun to use your car more sporadically, pay-as-you-go car insurance might be an option. These policies usually involve installing a device into your car that will track your miles. Your quoted rate will be per mile, and you’ll only pay for insurance when you drive (plus a fee to cover your car when parked). Other versions of this policy allow you to select a number of miles for your policy from the start, such as 1,000 miles, and then top up your limit as and when you need to.

Temporary car insurance: If you no longer want to own your own car but would still like the opportunity to drive every now and then, you could take out temporary car insurance when needed. This would allow you to drive someone else’s car for as little as one hour or up to around 30 days. However, it can be hard to find temporary car insurance policies that allow for drivers over the age of 75.

Other tips to get cheaper car insurance

Aside from considering the specialist policies above, there are a number of tips and tricks you can use to get cheaper car insurance, regardless of your age:

Compare quotes: Comparing a wide range of car insurance quotes will help you find the best deal for your profile.

Time your renewal: Two weeks to one month before your renewal date is the best window to get the cheapest quotes for renewing your car insurance.

Pay annually: If you choose monthly instalments, you’ll likely end up paying interest on top. If you can, paying for your car insurance upfront can save you money.

Keep up your no-claims bonus: By the time you’re in your 70s, you may have built up a healthy no-claims bonus. It can be wise, then, to pay for smaller repairs yourself in order to protect this discount.

Select the right add-ons: Not every potential car insurance add-on is worth taking out. Whether it’s motor legal protection, breakdown cover or something else, only choosing the optional extras you really need can keep costs down.

Increase your voluntary excess: The more you choose to pay as a voluntary excess, the cheaper your premium can become. However, only choose a voluntary excess that you can realistically pay alongside any compulsory excess in the event of a claim.

Drive a car from a lower insurance group: If you’re in the market for a new car, picking a smaller vehicle from a lower insurance group can cut the cost of your car insurance.

Install security features: While this isn’t true of all car modifications, installing security features, such as dash cams and parking sensors, can reduce your premium.

Visit Independent Advisor Car Insurance for more insights from our expert editorial team.