Car insurance is less expensive for over 70s compared to most other age groups. Even over 50s car insurance tends to be more expensive.
Our data shows the average car insurance price for those aged 70+ is £5411. This makes it the second cheapest of any age group, after drivers in their 60s, who pay £5281
These low prices are due to the fact that older drivers generally have more years of experience behind the wheel. They often have a larger no-claims bonus built up too.
That said, once drivers hit 70, their insurance does tend to creep up. This explains why drivers in their 60s actually see lower costs than those who are 70+.
While there's a lot that goes into how your car insurance is calculated, this tends to be due to the fact that senior drivers are considered more likely to have an accident.
Here’s the average car insurance premium for each age group:
| Age | Average Cost1 |
|---|---|
|
20-29
|
£1,545
|
|
30-39
|
£1,041
|
|
40-49
|
£822
|
|
50-59
|
£642
|
|
60-69
|
£528
|
|
70+
|
£541
|
1Confused.com Price Index data Q3 2024.
As long as you have a good driving history, you should still be able to get relatively cheap car insurance once you're over 70. But don’t be disheartened if your quote has increased on last year’s, because there are a few things you can do to help lower the price:
Accurately estimate your mileage. Insurers use mileage as a factor when calculating the cost of your insurance. You might find you’re doing fewer miles now that you’re in your 70s. Reducing the total mileage – even slightly – might help save you money.
If you do drive fewer miles than you used to, you might benefit from a pay-as-you-go insurance policy. Similar to a telematics policy, it uses a black box device or mobile phone app that monitors your mileage. Unlike most telematics policies, a pay-as-you-go policy doesn't monitor other driving behaviours.
Select your occupation. If you're retired, make sure you choose that option rather than 'unemployed' when getting a quote. Being retired doesn't necessarily mean you'll see cheaper prices. But if your occupation before retirement was considered higher risk by insurers, you could see your costs come down.
Increase your voluntary excess to lower the cost of your insurance quote. Just make sure you can afford to pay the selected amount if you make a claim.
Avoid auto renewal with your current insurer. You should get a renewal quote from your insurer when your insurance is due to expire. It’s tempting to accept the first offer, but remember there are savings to be made by comparing quotes.
The good news is, all insurers are legally required to show you what you paid last year. This makes it even easier to see whether you’re being charged more for the same level of cover. We encourage comparing quotes and switching when you find a better deal.
Pay annually rather than monthly if you can. Most insurers charge interest if you choose to pay monthly. If you can afford to pay for the whole policy in one go, then you could save up to 50%2 on your quote vs monthly payments.
Find out more ways to get cheaper car insurance.
2Confused.com data Q2 2024.
As we get older we're more prone to develop health conditions that affect our ability to drive. Insurers see this as a higher risk, which can increase the price you pay for car insurance as an older driver.
If you have a medical condition that could affect your driving, then you need to declare it to the DVLA and your insurer. These conditions include, but aren’t limited to:
If you develop a condition or disability, it's your responsibility to let the DVLA know about it. Once the DVLA are notified and have assessed the condition, they'll decide:
Based on their decision, you should notify your insurer to let them know of a change in your circumstances.
For more information, visit GOV.UK's section on driving and medical conditions.
When you get a quote, we'll ask you whether you have any DVLA-reported medical conditions or disabilities. This includes any conditions that the DVLA believes will affect your ability to drive, or restrict your licence.
"You might find your car insurance prices start creeping up again once you’re in your 70s. If you have a medical condition that could affect your driving, it’s important you declare it to the DVLA and your insurer. Being involved in an accident as the result of an undeclared condition could land you with a £1,000 fine and your insurance not paying out."
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Page last reviewed: 14 October 2024
Reviewed by: Louise Thomas
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