Are you facing a higher car insurance quote than you expected? If you’re over 50, we’ve got some tips that could help you save on your policy.
1. Build up your no claims bonus
If you’ve been driving for a good few years, a great way of saving money is to build up your no claims. Insurers tend to reward safe drivers, and having a no claims bonus is proof that you’re a low risk. For older drivers with decades of experience behind the wheel, this could amount to a saving of hundreds of pounds.
2. Choose a car in a low insurance group
A range of factors impacts your insurance premium, including your driving history, the car you choose, your location, and more. If you’re really wanting to save on your car insurance, choosing a car in a low insurance group is usually a lot cheaper than if you were to choose a performance or luxury car.
Insurance groups range from one to 50. Vehicles such as the Nissan Micra or Vauxhall Corsa Hatchback can be found in insurance group one, while vehicles such as the Audi A8 Saloon or the BMW 8-Series Convertible are found in insurance group 50. It’s usually best to stick with cars in insurance groups one through 10 if you want to keep costs low.
You can always request a mature driver car insurance quote for a vehicle you haven’t yet purchased, just so you can get an idea of insurance costs for different cars you’re considering.
3. Find a specialist car insurance broker
Fed up of filling in dozens of online forms, only to face expensive insurance quotes? If so, ringing a specialist car insurance broker could be a good option. At Sterling, our knowledgeable team can compare dozens of quotes for you to ensure you get the right cover at the right price.
As a car insurance broker specialising in car insurance for over 50s, we also work with a range of insurers that can find you a truly great deal.
4. You’re great just the way you are
Most mature drivers like you aren’t seen as a high risk as you’re likely to be more experienced with navigating the UK roads. Compared to younger drivers, a very low proportion of over 50s get involved in car accidents, meaning you’re less likely to make a claim. This looks great for insurers – and it’ll usually translate to lower insurance premiums too!
5. Add safety precautions to your vehicle
Most modern vehicles are installed with high-tech safety and security features, but for older cars, this isn’t usually the case. If you’re wanting to reduce your insurance premiums, installing Thatcham-approved safety measures can help to do so.
Even in modern vehicles, adding features like dashcams and trackers help prevent thefts and increase the likelihood your vehicle will be recovered in the event it’s stolen. And as an extra bonus, you might find that your insurance quote is cheaper too.
6. Join a car club
You might be surprised to find out that if you’re a member of a car club or forum, you could actually save a lot of money on your insurance – sometimes even up to 15%. We know that if you’re a car club member, chances are you’re a car enthusiast, which tells us that you’re more likely to be a safe driver.
7. Drive fewer miles
Mature drivers on a lower mileage insurance policy tend to face lower premiums. This could be anywhere between 1,500 and 7,500 miles.
Not sure how many miles you usually drive each year? You can either calculate the difference in mileage recorded between your last two MOTs or see how many miles you drive in a typical day. You can then multiply this figure by seven, then multiply the resulting figure by 52 to find out the average number of miles you might drive in a year.
8. Shop around
It almost goes without saying, but when it comes to car insurance, it pays to shop around. If you’ve stuck with the same insurer for a couple of decades, you could actually be paying a lot more than you need to on your policy. It’s a good idea to call a few insurance providers and get a few quotes before making a decision.
9. Renew a few weeks before your insurance expires
You could save up to 40% on your premium if you get your car insurance quotes about three to four weeks before you actually need to renew, according to Money Saving Expert. The worst thing you can do for your wallet is to renew your policy on the day it’s up for renewal, and getting quotes too early is actually bad too.
10. Use your full name – and make sure it’s spelled correctly
Using your name as it appears on the electoral roll or on a credit check can help you save money. Should the insurer do a soft-check on your credit score, they’ll see you’re on there and can offer discounts they wouldn’t be able to offer if your name were to appear differently.
You should therefore ensure your details are correct on the electoral register so the insurer can find your name if they check it.
Good luck with securing cheap over 50 car insurance. If you want us to compare quotes for you, give us a call on 0344 381 9990 or request a callback at a time that suits you.
