Car Insurance. It’s Getting Increasingly Expensive When You’re Elderly.
There were 550 serious accidents last year where the driver was over aged 70 and where driver was either killed or badly hurt, reports the Institute of Advanced Motoring . That statistic represents 8%PRCTG% of the national total of 7,035 similar accidents. That means that the over 70’s’s have more, very serious accidents per mile than any other sector of the population. This view is supported by the Association of British Insurers whose research shows that drivers aged over 70 are 13%PRCTG% more likely claim on their insurance than the drivers aged between 40 and 50.
As the number of elderly drivers will double during the next ten years, this represents a problem for elderly drivers and their families – not to mention the insurance industry, police and indeed all of the emergency services!
You can probably predict the response from the insurance industry. Many insurance companies already reckon that drivers over 80 are as high a risk as the under 25’s – and charge premiums to match! Some are even progressively loading premiums once the driver reaches 60. Then at 70, you’ll find that many insurance simply refuse to offer cover. Norwich Union and Esure won’t quote after 70 and by the time the driver reaches 80, the field narrows to specialised insurers who insure elderly drivers. Help the Aged and Age Concern both market policies that have no upper maximum age. Cornhill only accepts new policyholders up to 84 but if you’ve been insured by them for a few years, there’s no upper age limit. RIAS and Saga are also pleased to consider older drivers.
As the price of car insurance is based on historical claims experience, a 75 year old male driver can expect to pay at least 33%PRCTG% more than if he were aged 50. By the time the driver reaches 80 the premiums hit boy racer levels! So if you’re in your early 50’s keep smiling at the lowest premiums you’ll ever experience ? they won’t last forever!
And the fairer sex fare even worse. Whilst younger women are renowned for their safe driving, they become more accident-prone as they get older. Whereas male drivers improve with age. (Where have we heard that before!) As a result, elderly women drivers pay the highest rates for car insurance.
It’s a biological fact that eyesight and reaction times worsen as age creeps on. And with traffic becoming heavier and road networks ever more complex, elderly drivers can more easily become disorientated and confused. Even a fraction of a second’s delay can make the difference between an accident and a near miss. Insurers are reacting by insisting that more elderly drivers take a medical before agreeing to provide insurance. The best advice is to build up a no claims record and as soon as possible and buy No Claims Protection. This protection cost a bit more but it’s well worth the money. Then make sure you pay for any small bumps yourself.
But there are some simple steps that older drivers, and indeed all drivers, can take to reduce the likelihood of them having an accident and thereby making themselves more insurable. It’s often more about those little things and being alert to likely problems. For example, car parks are a breeding ground for small accidents. Knowing that take more care. Before you get back into your car, walk round it to see how much room you’ve got. Then edge out carefully making sure that other drivers in the car park aren’t driving into the area you’re moving into. Then, if advancing years has stiffened you neck and all-round visibility is a bit more difficult, take special care at junctions and when reversing. Remember to move you head and swivel your shoulders – that way you’ll increase your sweep of vision.
Many of the policies for older motorists contain special provisions designed to assist them. On Saga’s policy for example, ex company car drivers can use any no claims record they’d built up and if a couple are insured and the main driver decides to quit driving, then the spouse can take over the no claims record. Other policies also provide full insurance cover for anyone who takes over driving in an emergency. Cornhill will even payout ?250 if the DVLA stops you from driving for health isues associated with age.
In moves to diminish the numbers of accidents involving the elderly, the UK Government is investigating the issue of deteriorating health amongst elderly drivers. It seems to be considering the idea of obligatory health checks for elderly motorists. At the same time some local councils are introducing initiatives of their own. Torbay council has launched a scheme to encourage families and GP’s to take more responsibility for encouraging elderly drivers who are not really fit drive, to give up. A road safety spokesperson for Torbay council 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.?
In the meantime, a survey carried out by the Institute of Advanced Motorists confirms that older motorists are aware that they represent an increased accident risk. Seven out of ten older drivers surveyed said they would like to take a refresher course for motorway driving skills and six out of ten wanted to improve their performance at junctions and on unlit roads. In response to these issues, the Institute has extended its advanced tests to older non-members to encourage them to improve and build up confidence. The tests also help spot any serious problems that should encourage the driver pack up driving.
An Introduction to RV Insurance
Insurance coverage for recreational vehicles (RVs) can be a complicated issue. RVs combine many aspects of regular traveling vehicles with aspects of a home. There are several issues that need to be considered when purchasing RV insurance. First, all conventional car insurance issues must be covered. Second, it is a good idea to insure items inside the RV as well. Other issues arise for people who live predominantly in their RV and do not have a permanent residence anywhere else.
The definition of an RV is somewhat loose. An RV is traditionally viewed as a motor home, but many travel trailers, fifth wheels, and tour buses are considered RVs as well.
Since RVs are motor vehicles, they must be covered for conventional car insurance issues such as liability, collision, and uninsured or underinsured motorists. It is a legal requirement to have liability insurance, which covers all damages and bodily harm that is caused by the insured RV motorist. This protects people who the RV owner may collide with, and guarantees that they will receive compensation. Collision insurance covers any damage done to the RV when a collision occurs. This includes situations in which the RV collides with an object or an object collides with the RV. It is a good idea for RV owners to purchase uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as well. This type of coverage protects the RV owner from having to pay for any damages caused by another vehicle driven by someone who does not have enough insurance to cover the damages.
RVs usually include appliances; it is a good idea, though it is not legally required, to insure these as well. The main difference between RV insurance and standard car insurance is that RV insurance policies can cover appliances and personal items in the RV. Plumbing, electrical problems, and other issues can be covered by RV insurance policies. Other items in the RV — like TVs, stereos, or furniture — can also be insured. This is similar to homeowner?s or renter?s insurance. Usually, people must ask for coverage of internal items because the law does not require it.
People who live in their RV full time and do not have a permanent residence have additional options. Many insurance companies offer full time coverage specifically designed for people who live in their RV. These types of policies often provide total vehicle and home insurance for the RV.
It is important for RV owners to purchase appropriate coverage for their vehicle. Many RV owners foolishly purchase the bare minimum of coverage, and then have to pay out of pocket for costly repairs on appliances and other items inside the RV.
Static caravan insurance
If you are an owner of a static caravan holiday homes you should consider insurance to cover the caravan as well as the contents. There are two levels of insurance for your static caravan; the static caravan itself and the contents within the caravan.
Insuring the static caravan will cover against loss or damage to the static caravan itself. The insurance can extend to a new for old policies were the caravan can be replaced with a new model should it be damage to an extent which is beyond financial repair. If this is the case some insurance companies will replace the static caravan if it is under 20 years old. The age under which new for old applies will vary from policy to policy. Some companies will only offer new for old for caravans which are less than 10 years old. It is worth checking with the insurance company to determine their exact terms of policy.
The content can be insured under a general policy where by a value is given to the entire content. If you have individual items which are valuable the insurance can also be taken out against such items to given suitable cover.
Below are examples of cover:
Replace new for old
Alternative accommodation costs
Debris removal and resiting costs
Fixtures and fittings
Public Liability
Fatal Accident
Consideration should also be given to the excess which applies to the policy as this will vary from company to company. Also check the policy details to determine the new for old cover and additional cover offered.
When obtaining quotes ensure you receive at least three, the more quotes you obtain the more likely you are to achieve good value for money. Getting quotes online can be a quick and simple method to obtain multiple quotes.
Purchasing Car Insurance Online – Some Things To Know About Online Insurance
The Internet has been a blessing to both the Insurance Industry and consumers who want access to a wide range of providers quickly. The benefits of purchasing your car insurance online are many, here’s a few of them.
For starters, you have an unprecedented ability to compare and contrast between policies online, simply flicking between windows, or in some cases taking advantage of specialty brokers who will send you a comparative cost quote in very short order.
If the sheer convenience weren’t enough, Insurance companies usually offer discounts if you buy your insurance online and save them the hassle of having to deal with you directly. It’s not as if talking to insurance sales people ever made anyone’s day, so you won’t miss the experience, and you’ll save some money.
Insurance companies still offer very good customer service online if you’re stumped, and making a quick call whilst surfing is much easier than waiting several days for them to send you a bunch of paper work that you may or may not understand.
Do make sure however, that your details are processed over a secure server, and that full customer service is available once you have purchased your insurance. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions, and hold out for a provider that offers you a good deal and makes you feel satisfied at the level of assistance you receive.
The Internet is also a good place to check out your intended companies reputation. Others may have had problems, or good things to say about the company. Consumer websites can also offer constructive recommendations to help you on your way, and advise you on ways to keep your premiums down, such as thinking about what sort of car you’re going to buy to stay in a lower bracket, or keeping your record clean.
Buying your car insurance online is a great way to save time and money. As always though, take your time and read those terms and conditions carefully.
Auto Insurance ? Which Type Is Right For You?
Auto insurance is a form of insurance available to consumers who own cars, trucks and other vehicles. It covers the insured party against the risks involved in owning or driving a vehicle. This may be a car accident, damage caused to other cars or property, loss to passengers in your car, and damage to your car itself.
Optional Covers
There are different levels of insurance available depending on what risks you wants to cover. You can cover against the costs of repairing your vehicle after an accident. You can cover the cost of purchasing a new car should yours be stolen or damaged beyond repair. These are optional covers.
Liability insurance on the other hand is compulsory for all drivers. This will cover the risk of claims being made against you as the driver or owner of the vehicle that caused damage to the property of another, the vehicle of another, for medical expenses of others injured as a result of an accident, including passengers in your car. If you have liability insurance, it will only cover these risks. If you have comprehensive insurance it will cover also the risks to yourself and your own vehicle.
GAP Insurance
However, even comprehensive insurance will not fully cover your risks. First of all there is the issue that, as soon as you buy a new car, its price suddenly drops significantly because it is no longer new. It is used. So if you were to destroy your car the day after buying it, the insurance company would likely assess the value as something less than what you paid for it, even though you may still owe a good deal more than that in payments and financing.
To cover the chances of this happening, so called GAP insurance was developed. This covers the difference in the actual value of your car, and the amount you still owe in payments. The growth of vehicle leasing has also led to GAP insurance becoming more important.
Extra Cover
In the US, the insurance policy will generally cover the owner of the vehicle and any others who drive the vehicle so long as they do not live at the same address. For those living at the same address, you should have them specifically added to your insurance policy for an extra fee. This means that if you crash someone else?s car, while driving it with their permission, you will be covered by their policy, not your own. Non-owner policies are available to cover you on other people?s cars but these will only be available if you do not own your own car.
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