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Legal, pensions and money

Car insurance for over 75s

(11 Posts)
Toetoe Sun 11-May-25 12:14:29

Hello GNs this is my first post although I've been around a while . I am in need of guidance about renewing my car insurance . I have no one to ask otherwise . So I thank you kindly for your answers .

I was charged over £550 in total last year because I changed my mini half way
through with RAC . Original quote was approx £370 fully comp , then I changed mini to a mini 1 year younger 2019 . They charged me almost £200 with an added admin charge for the next 6 months .

My car is due for renewal in 6 weeks . I'm not staying with RAC and am hoping some of you can guide me to a better value fully comp insurance . I only do around 4k miles a year now and they actually told me on the phone when I rang this week, I was classed as a liability because of low mileage! By the way I just turned 75 . I would like a lower excess , I don't want EU cover . Possibly added breakdown cover ( at home ) and maybe windscreen cover .
Sorry if I'm asking too much but as I get older I'm more anxious about making decisions using the Internet.
Thankyou in advance

ExDancer Sun 11-May-25 12:26:03

Will you believe, Tesco gave me the best cover for my 2nd hand Yaris? I am 87 and don't drive far.
I think there's a plot to remove older drivers from the roads!
We have no busses out here where I live in Cumbria, unless I want to walk a mile to the nearest main road, so my car is essential.

Georgesgran Sun 11-May-25 13:28:51

Welcome to GN Toetip - I think someone here has a very similar name. I digress ….

I think your best bet is to go online and see what you can find first and save your quotes to refer to later. Make sure you include what you need and protect your NCB, then you’ll have a good idea of prices when you get your next renewal notice - then make a choice. Don’t leave it too late, as Martin Lewis says the best time to renew is 21 days before the existing policy runs out. Most policies already include windscreen/glass cover in the premium with a contribution (not your policy excess) from the motorist going to the repairer as and when needed. It could also be that you can source cheaper breakdown cover separately?

Most reputable companies have call centres where you can discuss details you’ve found in an online policy before deciding, or you could always insure through a broker who will discuss your needs and do the ‘donkey work’ for you.

There was a very long thread about the increased cost of car and home insurance - most policies have gone up 25-30% - recently. Maybe look through past topics and you might find it.

Of course, there are always exceptions that buck the trend - like Ex-D my premium went down (also a Mini driver) by £15 - I’m 74 and drive 10k a year - but the house insurance, with no claims made rose by 1/3rd.

RedRidingHood Sun 11-May-25 13:49:23

If you can manage to use a comparison website that's best way to get a range of quotes. You only need to put all the details in once. You should make sure you are comparing like for like as they often vary the excess or level of cover.

V3ra Sun 11-May-25 19:11:26

Toetoe another vote for Tesco car insurance from me.
My policy renews next week, the premium has gone down by £90.

You can select the level of excess you're happy with, and include whatever extras you need from a selection eg courtesy car, legal cover, windscreen cover, breakdown cover.
We have breakdown cover through our Nationwide current account so I don't select that.

J52 Sun 11-May-25 19:16:09

We’re with LV, have been for years when they took over Frizzels. They’ve always been very reasonable and give a multi car discount.

crazyH Sun 11-May-25 19:28:38

LV charged me £720 this year, because I had an accident last year. No one else was involved , but the sun blinded me and I drove into the grass verge.
Anyway, I have since decided, I will not drive in the night or if the sun is too bright 😂
I will ask Tesco for a renewal quote, when the time comes .

J52 Sun 11-May-25 22:19:18

crazyH

LV charged me £720 this year, because I had an accident last year. No one else was involved , but the sun blinded me and I drove into the grass verge.
Anyway, I have since decided, I will not drive in the night or if the sun is too bright 😂
I will ask Tesco for a renewal quote, when the time comes .

That’s interesting, I had serious storm damage to my almost new car. They fixed it and didn’t raise my premium, but I did have protected NCB.

Toetoe Sun 11-May-25 22:41:47

Thankyou all very much . I will write a few notes down for myself and definitely do a compare site . Tesco has come to mind a couple of times as reliable . I find all this chopping and changing so stressfull on my own. I'm scared of getting it wrong . The next big one is home phone and broadband I will have to compare in coming weeks as my current provider ( plusnet ) contract is ending . I so miss those easier times when I popped into town , sat in a comfy office while a lovely receptionist tapped away and got me the best deal . Sometimes this world and technology is too much for me . I appreciate your kindness

cornergran Sun 11-May-25 22:44:34

Mr C is 82, I’m 5 years younger. For the last two years we’ve had excellent cover at a good price from M&S. we switched to them when Mr C became 80 and many insurers seemed to think of a number and double it. We average 9,000 miles/year

Contents insurance is due next month, I’m dreading it as there’s a river behind our back fence which is not loved by insurers.

Deedaa Sun 11-May-25 23:01:33

Last year the cheapest insurance I could find was a company I had never heard of. I went with it because it was cheap, but I worried about whether they would really pay out if I had an accident. This year i tried Go Compare and they came up with Tesco as first choice. It was cheaper than last years insurance and because I have a Tesco club card I got an extra discount. So win win!