Please Help, elderly car insurance rip off!!!

dohboy4

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

If the car is parked on the public highway, then you have to keep it insured.

Even if you are paying monthly installments, it is an annual premium.

the insurance co isn't taking advantage of your granddad's trusting nature. their quote is based on the risk factors associated with his age, his health issues, the age and size of his car, and the number of miles driven each year - and TBH only driving 200 miles in a year might be loading the premium as much as a very high mileage would.

They are quoting, your granddad is accepting.

I'd agree that giving up the car would be the sensible thing to do. It would be sensible - financially and for other reasons - if my FIL would do the same. But it is a huge emotional 'thing' and I don't see it happening any time soon for my FIL.

I'm a law graduate I understand contract law! and I am fully aware that all cars on the road by law need insurance.

I had 2 points and I obviously didn't make myself clear. 1 it makes me sick that some businesses take advantage of the elderly and employ scare tactics
B. that I have never heard of a policy which you can neither cancel or place on hold.

but please, its clear I wont find help here so no need to reply. Thanks you for your time

blossomhill_2

dohboy4 wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone could offer any help or point me in the right direction.

My Granddad is on oxygen 24/7 and his only independence is through his car - it failed its MOT today but that isn’t the issue. Thinking I could save him some money I called his insurance company to put the policy on hold until I get him a better car. I was told by Pearl that it is not possible to put the insurance on hold, if we want to cancel it we need to pay the rest of the premium off - which was over £400!!!

Ask Pearl what the admin charge would be to change the policy to 3rd party, fire, theft and under 4000miles p.a (or the lowest threshold they quote for) for the rest of the year - it could result in a reduced premium and be a saving even including the charge

(I wonder if a mobility scooter would suit him, with taxis when OH needs a lift too?)

dohboy4

Sagaris wrote: »

My late father in law used to drive and had to have oxygen 24/7 - he was passed as fit to drive and had a Motability car.

Insurance does get expensive as you get over a 'certain age' - when my mum was living in London I shopped around for her car insurance as her renewal came in at £1200 - she has now moved to an area in Hampshire and is paying just over £500 for the same cover!

thanks - yeah i get that they have to charge more but I just got the feeling they were taking advantage a bit. they guy on the phone wasn't very pleasent either.

I've had to do a few things for my granddad recently and I'm just shocked at how society treats the elderly - i think thats the main root of my outrage. :mad:

blossomhill_2

Is he in AA or RAC - their breakdown policies can be put on hold

dohboy4

blossomhill wrote: »

Ask Pearl what the admin charge would be to change the policy to 3rd party, fire, theft and under 4000miles p.a (or the lowest threshold they quote for) for the rest of the year - it could result in a reduced premium and be a saving even including the charge

(I wonder if a mobility scooter would suit him, with taxis when OH needs a lift too?)

thanks thats a good idea. He's too old fashioned for a mobility scooter - he need to feel like he can take care of my nan. and my nan would never use a taxi, I don't know why - she wouldn't even use a bus! again, no idea why.

System

BTW Unless the vehicle is SORNed then it must have valid insurance.

B. that I have never heard of a policy which you can neither cancel or place on hold.

I would think that insurance companies have now removed this hold option because of the new requirement of SORN or insured. If you still own the car then it must be one or the other.

As for cancelling, as has been pointed out, you can cancel BUT you will pay the annual cost (monthly payments are through a finance company and nothing to do with the insurance policy) less the short term rate for the period that you have held it less an admin charge. At times this can equate to equal to or greater than the annual cost and they might just cap it at the annual cost.

dohboy4

!!!!!! wrote: »

BTW Unless the vehicle is SORNed then it must have valid insurance.
I would think that insurance companies have now removed this hold option because of the new requirement of SORN or insured. If you still own the car then it must be one or the other.

As for cancelling, as has been pointed out, you can cancel BUT you will pay the annual cost (monthly payments are through a finance company and nothing to do with the insurance policy) less the short term rate for the period that you have held it less an admin charge. At times this can equate to equal to or greater than the annual cost and they might just cap it at the annual cost.

I see, doesn't feel very fair though. Cheers, its easier to understand read than when a muppet tells you over the phone.

missile

dohboy4 wrote: »

I see, doesn't feel very fair though. ...

Most insurers charge an admin fee for any mid term policy changes. The fee to suspend may be circa the cost of insurance for the week or two it may take you to find a.n.other car.

There will be another to change over to the next car.

zygurat789

dohboy4 wrote: »

the subject heading asked for help not your opinion on if my grandad should drive!!!! I was under the impression this was a helpful pleasent community.

I remember very clearly that Martin Lewis said the idea of MSE is so people can live the lives they want as cheaply as possible, not to reduce your quality of life for the sake of money.

I'm slightly disapointed that you are telling me what gives someone peace of mind - who are you to say this, besides you have no idea what the car failed on or its age!

I am being serious and helpful. From what we have been told I do not think the driver should be on the road at all for several reasons.
It would solve the problem of the insurance and maybe save an accident from happening. I know from personal experience with my father how age degrades the ability to drive safely. The OP is a young man who has no personal experience of this. From personal experience I know that my driving ability started to wane after 60, I now drive within speed limits.

margaretclare

If DH or I were ever in this state then we definitely would give up the car, because insurance is not the only cost - maintenance, the increasing cost of fuel, you name it. They only go out occasionally to the GP or the shops - not worth it. Taxis would definitely be worth it.

BTW we have saved money on car insurance recently by paying quarterly rather than monthly (this is Saga). Paying quarterly they don't charge the monthly interest rate.

I can understand the desire to stay independent as long as possible, but we use the car on a daily basis, not as infrequently as the OP's relatives. We also keep our driving skills updated via RoSPA/IAM.