Car insurance question for elderly grandparent

indierocker85

Hi there

I am trying to help an elderly grandparent insure his car and I am looking to see if any of you can offer any assistance. He is 84, but doesn't look or act his age and puts most 60 year olds to shame, and is a very, very competent and safe and alert driver. He lives a two hour drive away and lived with his daughter who recently died of cancer, aged 56. In the previous 3-4 years he was a named driver on his daughters policy, and prior to that he had a motability car for his late wife, so ergo he accrued no no claims discounts on either.

He has recently informed the insurer of his daughters death, and the annual cost for the insurance has gone from £450 a year, to £1200 a year for him alone. I have looked on comparison sites for him, and the cheapest is around £800. Is there anything we can do to somehow reduce it? Is there any specialist ones we can try? Age concern were unable to provide a quotation. Clearly, his age and lack of NCD is going against him. He said about transferring the car to me, me insuring it and putting him as a named driver, and me telling them I am "loaning him the car" but naturally, that would raise eyebrows as its 90+ miles away from me .

I feel stuck, and really want to help him. Thank you in advance for any help, and advice.

MovingForwards

It is expensive as an older driver, higher risk of accidents.

What mileage did you put on the quote, as that could make a difference.

Have you tried Saga? RIAS?

Which comparison site did you use?

It would be worth phoning a local broker (not Swinton!) and see what they can do.

No, don't go down the proposed insurance fraud route suggested.

indierocker85

MovingForwards wrote: »

What mileage did you put on the quote, as that could make a difference?

1000 miles

MovingForwards wrote: »

Have you tried Saga? RIAS?

No, will check those

MovingForwards wrote: »

Which comparison site did you use?

Compare the market and MoneySuperMarket

MovingForwards wrote: »

No, don't go down the proposed insurance fraud route suggested.

We won't, hence me asking on here. Thanks for your helpful responses!!!

MovingForwards

Is it worth him having a car for only doing 1000 miles a year? It might be worthwhile increasing it a bit as low miles will be a very local driver or infrequent driver, again higher risk and more costly policy.

When I googled to see what was around go compare popped up for the more mature driver.

Mojisola

indierocker85 wrote: »

1000 miles

If that's all he will be doing, it may be cheaper to give up the car and use taxis.

elsien

Put someone on as a named driver who is a good risk - that should bring it down a little. Doesn't matter if they drive the car or not - it's not fronting if they are not the main driver. My sibling who has not actually driven for 20 odd years is helping me out in that respect.

indierocker85

I have just tried adjusting the mileage, sadly it hasn't made any difference. Also, GoCompares prices were very similar.

indierocker85

I have tried adding myself as a named driver, which wouldn't be fraudulent, as I could use the car when visiting, i.e going and getting shopping etc for him. However, that hasn't made much of a difference either, bit stumped really. I appreciate why it is what it is, but honestly, he is more like a 60 year old than an 84 year old. But, alas the insurer just see him as an 84 year old, and risky Rather naff really, he has to bury his daughter in the coming weeks, and now give up his car.

BoGoF

The time to take steps to buold his NCB was 3 to 4 years ago.

From the figures you have quoted it is only £250 difference. If that is a deal breaker then how would he be able to afford the other costs of maintaining his own car that I assume were borne by his late daughter.

indierocker85

BoGoF wrote: »

The time to take steps to buold his NCB was 3 to 4 years ago.

From the figures you have quoted it is only £250 difference. If that is a deal breaker then how would he be able to afford the other costs of maintaining his own car that I assume were borne by his late daughter.

No, the costs weren't borne by his daughter. He pretty much kept her financially as she lived with him, and never moved out......Anyways, Thanks all the same!

csgohan4

Sadly insurers only care for statistics and risk profiling, they don't care if he looks 60 years or can do this and that. He will be high risk than someone who is 64 years old statistically.

Another reason why NCB should have been built up separately as it would help in the long run, that's why I will be separating my car insurance from wife this year so she can build her own NCB

Consider getting a broker to see the whole of the market and evaluate if it is financially viable to drive at those prices?