The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement. Read our full disclosure here.
Should I buy specialist over 50s car insurance?
If you’re over 50 and need to renew your car insurance, you’re likely to come across specialist providers. But do they offer extra benefits compared to a mainstream insurer?
What does over 50s car insurance cover?
Over 50s car insurance covers the same risks as standard insurance. You’ll still be able to choose from third-party only, third-party, fire and theft, and comprehensive policies.
As with all car insurance policies, exactly what’s covered will depend on what the insurer includes as standard. You’ll also be able to bolt on extra features for an additional cost.
Cheap Young Driver Car Insurance
Quickly compare 100+ UK insurance providers. You could save up to £504.*
Are there any benefits with a specialist over 50s provider?
The benefit of over 50s car insurance is that policies often include a number of features that you’d normally have to pay extra for, for example:
- No claims discount promises – your no claims won’t be affected by uninsured drivers or vandalism claims.
- Courtesy car – you’ll get a guaranteed courtesy car if yours is being repaired after an accident.
- Emergency transport and accommodation – if your car breaks down and cannot be repaired immediately, your insurer will pay for your onward travel or overnight accommodation costs.
- European cover – if you’re driving in Europe, you’ll have the same level of cover there as you do in the UK (up to a certain number of days).
- No upper age limit – specialist insurers are usually willing to provide cover up to any age, mainstream policies may not be available to drivers over a certain age.
- Key cover – pays to replace lost or stolen car keys.
- Misfuelling cover – covers the cost of draining and cleaning your car if you accidentally put in the wrong fuel.
Bear in mind that you should still compare all policies from all insurers; not all over 50s providers will include these features as standard.
Is it better to go with a specialist over 50s car insurer?
This depends entirely on what your needs are. Any policy you choose should give you the protection you want at a price that you feel is fair and reasonable.
When you search for policies, try not to limit your search to just over 50s providers. You may find no clear difference between policies depending on what it is you want.
It’s also worth reading reviews to see how a particular insurer deals with issues or complaints. Sometimes, customer service is just as important as the policy itself, for example, you may prefer an insurer with UK call centres.
Another area to consider is additional charges. Mainstream insurers often charge you if you need to amend the policy whereas some specialist providers might not.
Do over 50s get cheaper car insurance?
Our research shows that 55-year-olds pay some of the lowest premiums on average compared to other age groups. We found that the same policy cost a 55-year-old just £575, whereas a 35-year-old would pay £639. A young driver aged 20 would pay even more at £851.
The main reason why over 50s pay less, is because 51-55-year-olds are statistically less likely to be involved in an accident, according to Department for Transport data. However, as drivers get older, so too is the likelihood of an accident. This increased risk is also reflected in premiums for slightly older drivers from age 65 onwards.
How much does over 50s car insurance cost?
Age clearly has an impact on your premium – young drivers under 25 and older drivers aged 65 and upwards generally pay more than other age groups. But age is just one of several factors that insurers will consider; others include:
- Your address – premiums are likely to be higher in areas with high crime rates.
- Your job – if you drive a lot for work, this can increase your premium, similarly, some jobs are considered risky, for instance if it’s stressful or has long shift patterns.
- Driving history – driving convictions can add a significant amount to your premium.
- The car you drive – powerful or expensive cars are reflected in higher premiums.
- Previous claims – if you’ve made a claim recently (in the last five years) it can increase what you pay.
What can I do to lower the cost of over 50s car insurance?
Age might be on your side but there are still plenty of steps you can take to bring down premiums even further, such as:
- Paying for your policy annually and not in instalments.
- Lowering your mileage if you can.
- Increasing your voluntary excess, but be sure it’s still affordable (you can’t proceed with a claim unless you pay it).
- Keeping your car as secure as you can, if you don’t have a garage or driveway, investing in an immobiliser could help.
- Adding another experienced driver with no driving convictions can also help keep costs down.
- Choosing a telematics policy, which bases premiums on the way you drive; drivers with good driving habits are rewarded with lower premiums.
- Not auto-renewing, as this rarely gives you the best price available.
Compare car insurance no matter what your age
Age really is just a number and while it can affect what you pay for car insurance, it’s not the only factor. To ensure your policy gives you protection and peace of mind, consider what’s most important to you first, rather than base your decision on price alone.
Before you start your search, these guides can take you through what’s available and what to look out for: