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Regardless of your age, car insurance generally includes the same choices. So, if you’re searching for over-70s car insurance, you’ll still be picking between third-party, fire-and-theft and comprehensive cover options.
However, what ebbs and flows is your profile as a driver. While you may have been used to some of the cheapest car insurance quotes available for the last few years, you might notice your premiums start to creep up again once you’re in your 70s.
Yet, there are still great deals to be found. In our guide to over-70s car insurance, we’ll explain why your premiums might start to increase and how you can find cheap cover.
Legally, there is no maximum age limit for car insurance as long as you’re still fit and healthy enough to drive. So in your 70s and beyond, there will be a car insurance policy out there that will allow you to maintain your independence and stay on the road.
You may have slightly less choice, however. 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.
Once you are in your 70s, there’s a good chance that your car insurance premiums will start to rise from the lows seen in your 60s. This is partially because as people age, the cost of the average claim begins to climb, according to data from the Association of British Insurers. The riskier you are in the eyes of providers, the more expensive your policy is likely to be.
The good news is that while your car insurance might start to increase as you get further into your 70s, on average, it shouldn’t get anywhere near the prices paid by younger drivers.
For example, MoneySuperMarket data from April 2023 showed that the average annual comprehensive car insurance policy rose from a low of £326 for 70-74-year-olds to £338 for 75-79-year-olds. Drivers aged 80-84 paid £416, while for 85-89-year-olds, the average was £519.
While the price of car insurance has increased significantly since that data was collected, costs related to age still tend to trend in the same direction.
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, 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.
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:
As you continue to drive in your 70s and beyond, you should be aware of the following:
You don’t need to take out a specialist over-70s car insurance policy. However, it can offer several benefits that make it worth considering. Depending on the provider, these benefits can include:
You won’t automatically need a health assessment to take out over-70s car insurance. However, the DVLA may need to conduct medical checks to see if you are still fit to drive, depending on the conditions you declare.
You’ll also need to meet the minimum eyesight requirements to continue driving, so you may have to visit the opticians for an eye test.
Most telematics insurance policies only cover people between 25 and 35 years of age. However, it is still possible to find black box policies that will accept drivers over the age of 70. Taking out such a policy may help make your car insurance cheaper, as long as you show yourself to be a safe and responsible driver.
There are a range of add-ons you could consider when taking out over-70s car insurance, including:
Before you compare over-70s car insurance quotes, it’s best to gather the following information to hand:
