This leaflet sets out
MOTOR INSURANCE some simple steps for
FOR OLDER DRIVERS older drivers to get
motor insurance at the
best possible price, and
with all the protection
that they need.
September 2006
MOTOR INSURANCE FOR OLDER DRIVERS
Everyone has to have motor insurance
if they drive a car. But older drivers
sometimes have problems getting the
right insurance policy to meet their
needs. And because older drivers
make more and higher claims, their
premiums are higher than average.
Some customers also find that there
are age restrictions on their policy.
But help is at hand.
Here is some information on what motor insurance will
cover, as well as some handy hints to help you find cover
and reduce your risks, which may help cut your premiums.
What does motor insurance cover me for?
Motor insurance covers you for any accidents that you
might cause or be involved in and can also cover your own
vehicle for damage and theft. There are three main types of
motor insurance available to buy.
• Third party – this is the cheapest form of insurance and
is the minimum required by law. It covers anyone you
might injure or whose property you might damage. It does
not cover damage to, or theft of or from, your car, or
injury to yourself.
• Third party, fire and theft – similar to third party, this
also covers damage caused to your vehicle by fire, and
theft of, or from, your car.
• Comprehensive – this provides the fullest cover. It
includes the same level of protection as third party, fire
and theft but in addition includes protection for your car
against accidental damage.
It is against the law to drive, or let others drive, your car
without motor insurance. The Road Traffic Act 1991 requires
all motorists to be insured against their liability for injuries
to others (including passengers) and for damage to other
people’s property resulting from use of a vehicle on a road
or other public place.
MOTOR INSURANCE FOR OLDER DRIVERS
What are my options for shopping around to
find the best deal?
There are many ways you can buy motor insurance:
• get in touch directly with insurance companies
(some offer tailored products to older customers).
• get in contact with a broker who can seek out the best
deal for you.
• if you have access to the internet, you can use online
insurance supermarkets to search and compare what
different insurance companies offer.
When shopping around for cover, remember that some of
the policies aimed at older drivers offer extras - such as
paying by direct debit at no extra charge, or a free courtesy
car - so you should always try to compare like with like.
How can I cut the cost of my insurance?
As well as shopping around, you can take a number of other
measures to cut your costs.
• Don’t pay for cover you don’t need:
- if no one on your policy drives to and from work, make
sure it does not include commuting;
- don’t buy full European cover if you will not be driving
abroad;
- limit the people entitled to drive your car – for example,
to you and your spouse, rather than anyone with your
permission.
• Inform your insurer of your annual mileage if it is low.
• Switch to a car with a low insurance group rating.
You can find details at the Association of British Insurers’
website: www.abi.org.uk/carinsurance. Motoring
magazines and consumer magazines (like Which?) also
publish this information.
• Keep your car in a garage overnight.
MOTOR INSURANCE FOR OLDER DRIVERS
• Fit security devices, such as an insurer-approved immobiliser
and alarm, and use a steering lock and/or gear lock. Your
insurer or insurance broker can advise you on this.
• When moving from a company car scheme, get a letter
from your employer about your driving record to ensure
you benefit from a no-claims discount.
• Consider the long-term benefit of paying for no-claims
discount protection.
• Check if you can pay monthly without a credit charge –
if not, pay your premium in one go.
What information do I need to provide to
my insurer?
You will need to tell your insurer a number of things so
that they can decide what premium you will have to pay.
These include:
• how old you are;
• if you have had any accidents;
• if you have any unspent driving convictions;
• where you live and where you keep your car (e.g. in a
garage or on the street);
• who will be driving the car;
• what kind of car you have.
You should also tell your insurer if you have a disability-
adapted or modified vehicle. This is important, because it
may increase the value of your car and the cost of any
repairs that need to be made if anything happens.
MOTOR INSURANCE FOR OLDER DRIVERS
Staying safe on the road
Information is available to older drivers who want to
increase their awareness of road safety issues. For example:
• The Driving Standard Agency’s Arrive Alive Classic
presentation discusses a range of topics, including rising
traffic volumes, licensing requirements, and the effects
of medication;
• A number of local authorities also run low-cost
assessments for older drivers, aimed at boosting driver
confidence, and giving information on how to lower the
cost of running a vehicle. Contact your local authority
to find out whether this type of course is available in
your area.
If you want to find out more about road safety but don’t
want to participate in a formal scheme, there are a number
of organisations, listed at the back of this leaflet, which
can provide handy hints and tips. Whatever you choose to
do, it is important to keep up-to-date with the new traffic
laws and road designs, and to remind yourself of the
Highway Code.
I’d like to hire a car but the hire car company
says that its insurance won’t cover me –
what should I do?
While some hire companies do target middle-aged drivers,
there are many who are willing to hire vehicles to older
people, so it is important to shop around. The British Vehicle
Renting and Leasing Association can help you find a hire
company suitable for your needs.
If you already have motor insurance on your own car, your
current insurers may allow you to extend your own policy
to cover vehicles hired in the UK. Don’t forget to check first
with your insurer that you are able to extend your insurance
in this way, and that the hire car company is happy for you
to do this. Your insurer may charge an additional fee for this
service to reflect the additional risk that comes with driving
an unfamiliar vehicle in an unfamiliar place, and the hire
company will probably want to see written evidence that
you are appropriately insured.
MOTOR INSURANCE FOR OLDER DRIVERS
Where can I get more information?
For help with finding a broker:
British Insurance Brokers’ Association
Tel: 0870 950 1790
www.biba.org.uk/consumer/findbroker.asp
Institute of Insurance Brokers
Tel: 01933 410 003
www.iib-uk.com
For consumer advice on insurance and details
of member insurance companies:
Association of British Insurers
Tel: 020 7216 7455
www.abi.org.uk
For advice and guidance on renting a vehicle:
British Vehicle Renting and Leasing Association
Tel: 01494 434747
www.bvrla.co.uk
For information on a range of issues affecting older people:
Age Concern
Tel: 0800 00 99 66
www.ageconcern.org.uk
Help the Aged
Tel: 0808 800 6565
www.helptheaged.org.uk
For information on the rules for getting a driving licence
and other important information for drivers:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Tel: 0870 240 0009
www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/drivers.htm
For advice on road safety:
Arrive Alive Road Safety Team
Tel: 0115 901 5892
www.arrivealive.info
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Tel: 0121 248 2000
www.rospa.com
For more information, contact:
Association of British Insurers
51 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7HQ
020 7600 3333
www.abi.org.uk