Over 50s Car Insurance

Is car insurance cheaper for over 50s?

Yes, drivers in their 50s are in one of the cheapest groups for car insurance. By this age you have most likely built up years of driving experience and a no claims bonus, and insurers typically treat you as a low-risk driver.

Lower prices are not the only advantage. More insurance providers are willing to quote for drivers over 50, whereas for some other groups a high number of providers simply decline to offer a price because they do not want the business. That means more choice when you compare, and more competition for your custom.

Your age is only one factor, though. Your car, annual mileage, postcode and claims history still shape your quote, so the cheapest insurer for one over 50 driver will not be the cheapest for another.

How do I compare over 50s car insurance quotes?

Fill in one quote form on this page and the comparison service shows you prices from more than 150 car insurance providers. You are unlikely to find the best deal by asking a single company, so comparing the market is the sensible starting point.

Quotes are listed in price order, which makes it easy to see who is cheapest. To get accurate results, give correct details about your driving history, your mileage and where the car is kept overnight. If anything changes later, such as moving house or driving fewer miles, tell your insurer.

Some specialist providers for older drivers do not always appear on comparison sites. Once you have your comparison quotes, it can be worth contacting those providers directly to see whether they can beat the prices you have found.

Should I choose the cheapest over 50s car insurance quote?

Not automatically. Quotes are shown in price order, but the policy at the top of the table is not necessarily the right one for you. Take time to look through the policies and pick the one most suitable for your situation.

Things worth checking before you decide include:

• The level of cover (third party only, third party fire and theft or comprehensive).
• The total excess you would pay on a claim, both compulsory and voluntary.
• Whether you are covered to drive other people's cars.
• Any extras such as breakdown cover, legal protection or a courtesy car, and whether you actually need them.

Because over 50s already pay less than most other groups, you may decide it is worth spending a little more to get the right policy rather than the cheapest one.

Which level of cover is best for over 50s?

For most drivers over 50, comprehensive cover is the sensible choice, even though third party only can look cheaper on paper. If you were at fault in a crash on a third party only policy, your own car would not be covered, which would most likely wipe out the small saving you made.

Comprehensive cover is often cheaper than third party for older drivers because of the way insurers assess risk, so always compare all three rather than assuming the lower level will cost less. If your car is worth very little, third party fire and theft might suit you better.

Do I need a specialist over 50s car insurance provider?

No, you are not obliged to use a specialist, and whether one is worth it depends on your circumstances. For some drivers a specialist policy proves beneficial; for others a mainstream insurer will be cheaper or better suited.

Specialist over 50s policies can come with benefits such as:

• No upper age limit, so you can still get insurance in your 90s.
• A get-you-home service if you are unable to continue your journey.
• An emergency driver service, allowing any driver to take you home in an emergency.
• Unlimited European cover with some providers.

Mainstream insurers remain competitive for experienced drivers with clean records, so compare both. Specialists do not always appear on comparison sites, so once you have your comparison results it is worth contacting them directly as well.

How can I reduce the cost of over 50s car insurance?

The biggest single saving is usually paying annually rather than monthly, because monthly instalments carry interest charges that can add as much as 30% to the cost of your policy. If you can pay in one go, do.

Other steps that can bring your premium down:

• Compare every year. Loyalty does not necessarily pay. Renewal quotes are regularly reported to be substantially higher than what is on offer to drivers who compare and switch.
• Improve your car's security. Fitting an alarm, an immobiliser or other approved security devices can lower your price.
• Increase your voluntary excess. Agreeing to pay more towards a claim reduces the premium, but keep the total excess affordable.
• Protect your no claims bonus. After years of claim-free driving, protection stops one accident resetting it to zero.
• Update your mileage. If you drive less than you used to, tell your insurer, as lower mileage lowers your assessed risk.
• Review named drivers. Only add regular drivers, and removing drivers with poor records can cut the cost.
• Avoid unnecessary extras. Only pay for features you will actually use.

Where you park overnight also affects the price:

Does fully comprehensive insurance cover me to drive other cars?

Not necessarily. A surprising number of people with fully comprehensive insurance believe they are automatically insured to drive any car, but this is not always the case, so check with your insurance provider before you get behind the wheel of someone else's vehicle.

If being able to drive other cars matters to you, look at each provider's terms when comparing quotes rather than assuming it is included. Where it is included, the cover is often more limited than the cover on your own car, so read the details.

What happens to car insurance after 70?

Once you reach 70 you must renew your driving licence with the DVLA every three years, and insurers take this into account when assessing risk. Medical conditions carry more weight in pricing, and some insurers add an age-related excess to claims for drivers over 70 or 80, which is why it pays to compare insurers who do not apply one.

You must also tell the DVLA and your insurer about medical conditions that could affect your driving, as failing to do so can invalidate your policy.

Many older drivers still secure competitive prices by comparing both specialist and mainstream insurers. Our guides to car insurance for over 70s and car insurance for over 80s cover the detail. If you are at the other end of the age bracket, our over 40 car insurance guide explains how prices change as you move through your 40s, and if you own an older car our classic car insurance page may be relevant.