Compare Car Insurance Quotes For Over 60s

Car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK if you want to drive on the road, but it can get quite expensive. There has been a rise in car insurance premiums over the past few years that has left many people looking for ways to keep these costs as low as possible. If you’re looking at car insurance for over 60s, then it really pays to spend some time comparing quotes from different providers.

Understanding car insurance for over 60s

Car insurance is a way to financially protect yourself in the event of a car accident, theft or vandalism. Drivers over 60 are generally viewed favourably by insurers due to their experience on the road, especially when compared to young driver car insurance or convicted driver insurance.

With that said, after 60, insurers begin to worry about potential health issues like eyesight degradation that could cause your policy to increase in price. This additional perceived risk means that, although older drivers are generally safer to insure, after a certain point other factors start to have an impact on cost. That’s why it’s so important to shop around and use comparison tools like Forces Compare to get a price that suits your budget for your car insurance.

Car insurance requirements for over 60s

If you’re looking to take out car insurance for over 60s, then it helps to understand the requirements you’ll need to meet. These are typically the same as all other drivers, so you’ll need a full licence and a roadworthy vehicle. For over 60s, there is the added risk of health conditions that develop as you age. You must tell insurers if you have any health problems that could impact your driving, such as poor eyesight.

As insurance policies are rated on the individual, your driving habits will also have a part to play in insurance costs. If you’ve retired, for example, you’ll likely use your car much less as you won’t commute to work. This can translate as potentially lower premiums if you’re lowering your annual mileage.

Choosing the right level of coverage

There are different levels of car insurance coverage that you will want to consider. Your choice will largely depend on your budget and the level of protection you’re looking for. The three main categories for car insurance include:

• Third-party only: This is the most basic level of cover available and is used to cover any damages to other vehicles as a result of an accident you caused. It will not cover any damages to your vehicle.

• Third-party, fire and theft: This cover is a slightly enhanced version of third-party only, adding extra protection if your vehicle is damaged or lost due to fire or theft.

• Comprehensive: This form of coverage is the most robust and will cover damage to your vehicle in the event of an accident.

In most cases, car insurance for over 60s uses comprehensive insurance. This is because it offers more protection than the other options, which gives drivers greater peace of mind if they have an accident.

Choosing the right car for over 60s

When looking to purchase a car for over 60s, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. Driving when you’re older typically means making things as simple and safe as possible, so look out for the right features in new cars. In most cases, choosing a more suitable car for over 60s can help bring down insurance premiums, too. So, consider the following:

Safety and comfort first

Safety and comfort are two of the defining features to look for when buying the right car for over 60s. Look for cars that offer excellent visibility on the road, easy access and comfortable extras like heated seating. Reputable brands that resonate with this age group include Volvo, Lexus and Volkswagen thanks to their high safety ratings, intelligent design and comfort.

The other side of things to consider are the additional extras that can enhance the driving experience for over 60s. Look out for extras like lane departure warnings, automatic parking and blind-spot monitoring. This can lower the risk of accidents on the road, which in turn lowers the cost of insurance. Also, switching from a manual to an automatic can make the driving experience much easier as you don’t have to change gears or ride the clutch in traffic.

Tips for reducing insurance costs for over 60s

Our goal at Forces Compare is to make sure you are getting a price that suits your budget when selecting car insurance for over 60s. Although we can help you compare different quotes, there are other ways you can reduce your insurance costs. Below are a few of the things you can do to lower your insurance premiums:

Keep a clean driving record

One of the main things that insurers will assess your risk on is your driving history. If you have a clean record, then you stand the best chance of enjoying low premiums. So, try your best to avoid any accidents on the road and don’t commit any driving offences!

Consider telematics insurance

Telematics insurance, also known as black box insurance, is a useful way to drop your insurance premiums. Your insurer will fit a monitoring device to your vehicle and if you abide by their rules you will enjoy a lower insurance premium. The stipulations for this type of insurance typically include not driving too fast or recklessly.

Discounts available

There are some discounts that insurers provide that could bring the cost of your car insurance down. For example, multi-car insurance is a great option if you have multiple cars in the same household. Alternatively, some providers offer safe driver discounts or membership discounts if you have other insurance products with the provider.

Including a younger driver

Having a younger, experienced driver on your policy could potentially reduce your insurance costs, too. Provided this driver has a clean driving history and sufficient driving experience, having them on your policy can spread the risk more evenly and bring the cost of the policy down.

Car modifications

Car modifications can either increase or decrease the price of your policy. Older drivers typically look for modifications that improve driving comfort, safety and efficiency, which can bring down the cost of car insurance. Just try to avoid any performance or aesthetic modifications, as these can increase the cost of your policy.

Impact of location

Another main factor that guides the price of your car insurance if where you live and park your car. If you live in a postcode with low crime rates, for example, insurers will class it as a lower risk area and drop the cost of your policy. Where you park can also have an impact, as parking on a main road might increase the chances of an accident. So to keep costs down, store your car off-road or in a garage if possible.

Choosing a higher excess

The excess you choose to put on your car insurance policy, known as a voluntary excess, is a useful way to drop your premiums. However, make sure you can afford the voluntary excess if you ever need to claim, otherwise it will cause any claim you make to be quite expensive.

Specific considerations for over 60s

Although older drivers are viewed as more experienced and safer by insurers, those over 60 are near the cut-off where this is useful. So, to help you stay informed and find a price that suits your budget for your car insurance, let’s go over a few specific considerations for drivers over 60:

Medical conditions and insurance

Drivers over 60 are more likely to experience health issues associated with ageing, such as visual impairments. You will need to disclose this information with insurers if it impacts your driving ability, which could cause your premiums to increase.

Other insurance options and alternative transport

If you are over 60 and driving less frequently, then opting for usage-based car insurance could save you a lot of money. There are also alternative options for transport, such as buses or trains, which could help reduce your need for a personal vehicle.

Resources for safe driving when older

Driving while older comes with a new set of challenges, so it helps to be prepared for them and make adjustments where necessary. Using resources from organisations such as Older Drivers can help you stay safe and confident on the road if you’re over 60.

Comparing insurance quotes for over 60s

As you risk the price of your car insurance going up if you’re a driver over 60, it is definitely worthwhile to compare different quotes. At Forces Compare, we can help you compare quotes from some of the UK’s top insurers in a few clicks, giving you all the information you need to find deals that suit your needs out there.

What you need for a car insurance quote

Most insurers will ask for the same things when providing you with a car insurance quote, so it helps to have this information available before starting. Some of the main things to have ready include:

• Your personal information.

• Driving licence details and history.

• Any past claims or driving convictions.

• Information about your vehicle and driving usage.

• Additional drivers on the policy.

• Any additional features such as car security or accessibility add-ons.

General terms and considerations

The car insurance industry has a bit of a reputation for using jargon terms and complicated language. This can make understanding your car insurance quotes and policy confusing. So, let’s go over a few of the general terms that you’ll find in your policy to help you understand what it all means:

• Coverage: This is the level of insurance you take out with your provider. This includes third-party only, third-party fire and theft as well as comprehensive.

• Excess: Excess comes in a few different forms, voluntary and compulsory. Both types constitute your total excess, which is what you pay when making a fault claim.

• Renewal: Your car insurance policy will run for one year and after that you need to take out a new policy or renew your existing one. A renewal extends your existing policy for another year.

• Claim: You claim with your insurer if your car has been damaged, stolen or vandalised.

• No claims bonus: Your no claims bonus is a discount applied to your policy based on the number of claim-free years of driving you have. It increases each year until you reach a maximum discount at 5 years in most cases.

• Medical disclosure: You must tell your insurer if you have any health conditions that may impact your driving. You do this through a medical disclosure.

Accident or claim reporting procedures

In the unfortunate event where you have to claim with your car insurance, it helps to know what to expect. Take the time to learn about how you should handle reporting an accident and starting a claim with your insurer. Usually, this means contacting your insurer as soon as possible following the incident and providing them with a full disclosure of events.

Enjoy affordable car insurance for over 60s with Forces Compare

At Forces Compare, we make it easy for you to find the most cost-effective car insurance for over 60s. By comparing quotes from some of the UK’s biggest insurance providers, you get a full overview of the market and can find a price that suits your budget for your policy. If you would like to get started, all you have to do is visit our Car Insurance page or get a quote directly.