According to the Institute of Advanced Motoring, there were 550 accidents last year where the driver was over aged 70 and where driver was either killed or seriously hurt. That represents 8% of the national total of 7,035. That’s more serious accidents per mile than any other group.

This view is backed up by the Association of British Insurers whose research has shown that over 70’s drivers are 13% more likely to make a claim than the drivers aged between 40 and 50.

Bearing in mind that the number of elderly drivers will double during the next ten years, this represents a problem for the insurance industry, police and indeed all of the emergency services. Not to mention the drivers and their families!

The response from the insurance industry is predictable. Some insurers already class drivers over 80 as high risk drivers – along with the under 25’s - and charge them premiums to match. But some companies are already progressively loading premiums once the driver reaches 60. Then at 70, you’ll find that insurance companies start to refuse cover. Esure and Norwich Union won’t quote after that age and by the time the driver reaches 80, the field has narrowed to just insurers who specialise on elderly drivers. Age Concern and Help the Aged both offer policies that have no upper age limit. Cornhill will only accept new policyholders up to age 84 but if you’re already their client, there’s no upper age limit. Saga and RIAS are also happy to consider older drivers.

As insurance is priced by risk, a 75 year old male driver can expect to pay 33% more than if he were aged 50, whilst 80 year olds pay boy-racer premiums! So if you’re in your early 50’s you may be smiling at the lowest premiums in your life - but it won’t last for ever!

And women fare even worse. Whilst younger women are safer drivers than their boy friends, men improve with age (where have we heard that before!) and women become more accident prone. Consequently, elderly women drivers pay the highest rates of insurance.

It’s a biological fact that reaction times and eyesight deteriorate as you get older. And with traffic consistently becoming heavier and road networks ever more complicated, elderly drivers can more easily become confused. Even a delay of a fraction of a second can be the difference between an accident and a miss. This now results in more insurers insisting on a medical before agreeing to insure elderly drivers. Your best plan is to build up a good no claims record and as soon as possible, get No Claims Protection. This will cost you a bit more but it’s well worth it. Then be sure not to claim for any small bumps.

But there are simple steps that older drivers can take to minimise their likelihood of accidents and make themselves more insurable. It’s often about those little things and being aware of likely problems. For example, car parks are a perennial problem. If you know that, before you get back in your car, walk round it to see how much clearance you’ve got. And then edge out carefully making sure that other drivers in the car park aren’t driving into the area you’re pulling or reversing into. Then if age has stiffened you neck all-round visibility is a bit more difficult, take extra care at junctions and when reversing. Remember not only to move you head but also swivel your shoulders, that way you’ll increase your arc of vision.

Many of the contracts for older drivers contain special provisions designed to assist them. For example, on Saga’s policy, previous company car drivers can carry over any no claims record they had and if a couple are insured and the main driver decides to give up driving, then the remaining driver can take over the no claims record. Other policies will also provide full cover for anyone who has to take over driving in an emergency and Cornhill will even make a cash payment of £250 if the DVLA stops you from driving for health reasons associated with age.

In a move to reduce the numbers of accidents involving the elderly, the problems of deteriorating health are also being considered by the Government. It’s reportedly considering the idea of mandatory health checks for elderly drivers whilst some local councils are introducing initiatives of their own. If you live in Torbay the council has launched a scheme to encourage families and Doctors to take more responsibility for encouraging elderly drivers who are not quite fit enough drive, to give up. A road safety spokesperson for Torbay said,” The problem is that the elderly can’t always see themselves when it’s really time to give up driving, so those closest to them must take responsibility for that.”

Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists confirms that older motorists are aware that they cause more accidents. Apparently seven out of ten older drivers surveyed would like to take a course to refresh their driving skills on motorways and six out of ten were concerned about improving their performance at junctions and on unlit roads. In response to these concerns, the Institute is extending its advanced tests to older non-members to help them improve and build up confidence. The tests will also help identify any serious problems that really should encourage the driver to hang up their car keys.

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