The following article is from an invited blogger. If interested in submitting a post, please read my posting policy and then contact me.
Car ownership is often a lifeline for those living in rural areas or people with mobility problems. Access to public transport is potentially more difficult, and walking longer distances may become harder, yet the need to get around remains.
In rural areas with limited bus and train services, car ownership can help with isolation and access to shopping and social occasions, while in a big city public transport is often very busy and can seem daunting.
Owning a car can however be expensive, with insurance accounting for a large part of the running costs. The good news is that if you are an older driver then your car insurance quote should hopefully take account of your years of driving experience and a buildup of no claims bonuses.
Drivers over 50 can benefit for cheaper premiums because it’s recognised that they tend to be more careful on the road and are therefore less likely to have an accident, which means fewer claims on their policy.
Recent research by a price comparison site showed that those over 70 actually enjoy the cheapest premiums of any age group. Research from the Department of Transport also shows that in 2011, 318 drivers over 80 were killed or seriously injured – less than in any other age range.
Factors that can affect car insurance prices
If you are over 50 and have been driving for a good number of years without a claim then you should also have built up a substantial no claims discount which will help to reduce your premium.
Mature drivers are also likely to be driving a more reliable vehicle and tend not to choose higher performance cars. This is another plus since standard cars are a lot cheaper to insure than flashier, sporty models.
Remember to tell your insurer how many miles you drive each year because if you are covering fewer miles this again can mean cheaper premiums.
Finding the best, and cheapest, policy
To help you find the best motor insurance it can be worth using a specialist over 50 car insurance broker. They will help you to identify the best policy. It’s important to remember, however, that the cheapest isn’t always the most suitable.
Any driver, whatever their age, should always shop around to get the best price. It’s highly unlikely your renewal quote will be the best so invest some time finding the right policy.
Check what’s included in your quote as features such as courtesy cars, legal expenses and windscreen cover may not be standard. Think about what you actually need too. There is no point paying for a courtesy car as part of your policy if you know you can easily survive for a couple of weeks without your vehicle, should you have an accident.
Staying safe on the road
The AA Charitable Trust offers good advice for older people on how to stay safe while driving as there are now more one million drivers over 80 behind the wheel, and these numbers are only going to increase as our population continues to age, making road safety an ongoing important issue.
Image credit : http://www.flickr.com/photos/denisdervisevic/5502490623/
Track All Your Accounts With Personal Capital
Personal Capital lets you see all of your accounts in one convenient place. Sign up now for free.Source: http://www.theaa.com/newsroom/news-2012/older-drivers-ask-for-advice.html
Leave a Reply