Please Help, elderly car insurance rip off!!!

Olokia

missile wrote: »

£960 per year for car insurance, ouch that is expensive. He must be a seriously high risk?

Or didn't shop around.

My MIL was complaining about how high her car insurance renewal was going to cost. (about £850). I went online and did a comparison thing for her and found her insurance with a good company for £400.

I think if he wants to keep his car then he should, even if he never uses it, because he might feel trapped in the house otherwise and not be happy. As long as he isn't a danger on the road.

Ainsley1

I suspect you will have to grin and bear it for now. Prior to renewal time shop around to see if you can get a better and cheaper deal.

Personal choice is a big issue but I would opt for (if it were me) or would try to persuade use a Taxis. Find out why Nan doe snot wish to use them? There might be an answer to it especially if they could say use the money saved for extra heating, some little luxury, a holiday....

but there seems little you can do for the present.

missile

zygurat789 wrote: »

From personal experience I know that my driving ability started to wane after 60, I now drive within speed limits.

Your ability may have deteriorated, but not everyone above 60 ability to drive has declined. Try telling that to

auroan

dohboy4 wrote: »

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

If thats the case, you would have known to read the small print of the policy and understood why and what the insurance company we're saying.

This thread just stands out as ranty for the sake of ranting. There has been a lot of valid advice given. Why get all shirty with everyone.

Try leaving the emotions at the door and you'll see the solution.

rochja

You have said you only wanted to put the insurance on hold while obtaining a replacement car. It looks like you are tied into the current insurance policy anyway. I wonder if it is worth taking a big hit now to avoid the problem in the future? I am no expert on qualifying conditions but it would seem likely your grandad qualifies for the motability scheme. They have an excellent web site where they explain that the car is covered by motability insurance and clearly show what you get for your money.

zygurat789

missile wrote: »

Your ability may have deteriorated, but not everyone above 60 ability to drive has declined. Try telling that to

I would disagree. If you are 60+ then you aren't aware your abilities have declined and are a danger to others because of this and if you are 60- then you don't know what you are talking about.

Millie_Millsters

zygurat789 wrote: »

I would disagree. If you are 60+ then you aren't aware your abilities have declined and are a danger to others because of this and if you are 60- then you don't know what you are talking about.

IAM don't seem to agree with you :cool:

http://www.iam.org.uk/news/latest-news/983-more-than-a-million-drivers-now-aged-over-80

"The age gap between the youngest driving license holder and the oldest is 90 years. But contrary to common assumptions, drivers in their eighties are not dangerous. The figures show that they are in fact much safer than their more youthful counterparts. The rate of deaths and serious injuries in crashes among drivers over 80 is three times less than the rate for those aged 17-19. In 2010 almost one young driver aged 17-19 was killed or seriously injured per thousand licence holders. The rate of deaths and serious injuries in crashes among car drivers aged 20 to 24 is 36.4 per cent more than the rate for drivers aged 80 or over.2"

vax2002

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 will thank you, yes you are right it is, but some use it as a way of gaining revenge for getting talked to like dirt all day by the new 19 year old "boss" :rotfl:

John_Pierpoint

dohboy4 wrote: »

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.

Margaret Thatcher, who was famous for never travelling by public transport, is reputed to have said something like:
A man who, beyond the age of 30, finds himself on a bus can count himself as a failure.

LisaW123

Insurance premiums are calculated on the level of declared risk using actuarial tables. The elderly, and especially the elderly with health problems, will pay fairly high premiums, which will only increase as they age. It is based on the level of risk they are assessed as presenting according to empirical data. The premiums are not plucked out of the air. It is common practice to charge an admin fee for any change to an insurance policy. Whilst the extent of the fees and the ethics may be questionable, you are unlikely to find an insurer that does not do this. Rather than suspending any insurance for a couple of weeks here and there, I would leave well alone in your relative's case. You are unlikely to be able to save him any money and I'd be inclined to remain with his current provider, especially if the relationship has been ongoing for years. Alternative providers could well prove even more expensive.