Car insurance for over 80s: your essential guide

Staying mobile is important for independence, especially as you get older. For many over 80, continuing to drive plays a crucial role in their daily mobility and quality of life. Whether you only use your car occasionally, or every day, you won't need to stop driving; the good news is people over 80 can absolutely get car insurance in the UK.

There isn't a legal maximum age limit for driving in the UK, which means there's also no legal age limit for obtaining car insurance. While there are some providers that set age restrictions for car insurance, there are still plenty of insurers out there that offer policies for older drivers.

In this comprehensive guide, we will break down everything you need to know about car insurance for over 80s, including factors that could affect your premiums, finding the right cover to suit your needs, and tips for saving money to secure the best car insurance on the market.

Are you looking for car insurance for older drivers? Get in touch with us! A member of the Howden team would love to help you find the perfect policy!

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Do drivers over 80 require specialist car insurance?

While many standard insurers do offer car insurance for over 80s, but they might have more restrictive terms or higher premiums than for younger age groups. Some insurers may also have upper age limits for their car policies, which can limit your options for suitable cover.

Luckily, there are specialist providers that offer car insurance policies for older drivers. These policies often have fewer restrictions and offer benefits like no upper age limits, medical condition coverage, discounts for experienced drivers, and plans tailored for limited mileage or infrequent driving.

However, you shouldn't just limit your search to specialist providers, as they don't always guarantee cheaper car insurance. Many insurers still provide cover for older drivers, so be sure to compare options from different providers to get the most value for your money.

Are any additional documents required to arrange car insurance for over 80s?

No, getting car insurance for over 80s doesn't require any extra documents, apart from a valid UK driving licence.

Note: when you turn 70, your driving licence will expire and you'll need to renew it. After the age of 70, you'll need to renew it every three years. You can easily renew your driving licence online for free.

It's important to keep this in mind before you take out car insurance, as an expired licence can invalidate your policy.

Find out more here: Advice for drivers age 70+

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What does car insurance for over 80s cover?

Just like any car insurance, there are three primary cover levels to choose from for over 80s car insurance:

1. Third-party only cover

The bare minimum legal level of car insurance you can have in the UK is third party. As the most basic form of insurance, it only covers damage to other vehicles and property.

What it covers:

• Third-party damage – Liability for vehicle or property damage you cause to others.

• Injuries - caused to others including your passengers.

What it doesn’t cover:

• Your own car – No protection for theft, fire, or any damage to your vehicle.

• Personal injury – Medical costs for you or passengers are typically excluded.

2. Third party, fire, and theft cover

Third-party, fire & theft (TPFT) insurance is the next level up of cover. This type of insurance protects you against major risks like theft and fire as well as covering damage you cause to others.

What it covers:

• Third-party damage – Costs if you injure someone or damage their vehicle/property.

• Fire & theft – Compensation if your car is stolen or damaged by fire.

What it doesn’t cover:

• Your own car’s repairs – No coverage for accidental damage you cause (e.g., if you crash into a wall).

• Weather or vandalism damage – Only fire and theft are included, not other non-collision incidents.

3. Comprehensive cover

Comprehensive car insurance is the most extensive coverage available, covering nearly all risks, including accidental damage to your car, theft, fire, and liability for injuries or damage to others, regardless of fault.

What it covers:

• Accidental damage - to your car or someone else’s.

• Injuries - caused to you or others, including your passengers.

• Theft - Full coverage if your car is stolen.

• Fire damage – Full coverage if your car is damaged by fire.

• Vandalism - Covers damage to your car caused by vandalism.

Additional over 80s car insurance cover options

For extra peace of mind, you might want to consider some of these additional cover options. Some of these may already be included in your comprehensive car insurance policy, so it's always worth checking with your insurer to see what's included first.

Breakdown cover

Breakdown cover offers assistance in case your car breaks down while on the road. This can range from simply assistance, recovery, or can extend to home start and EU breakdown.

Windscreen cover

This covers the repair or replacement cost for cracked or chipped windscreens. Most comprehensive car insurance policies should already include this cover option.

Find out more here: What should I do if my car has a chipped windscreen?

Key cover

Covers your car keys in case they are damaged, lost or stolen.

Excess protection cover

Excess protection insurance is designed to reimburse your policy excess in the event of a claim.

European car insurance cover

This allows you to drive your car in the EU. The level of cover may vary, and you would need to request for the cover to be added.

Personal belongings cover

Provides cover for theft or damage to belongings in your car.

No-claims discount protection

This will help maintain the maximum discount allowable and prevent your earned no claims bonus being stepped back following a fault claim (terms can usually differ from insurer to insurer).

Courtesy car replacement

Also known as replacement vehicle insurance, this cover provides a rental replacement car while your while your car is being repaired at the garage.

Motor legal protection cover

If you’re involved in a non-fault accident and need to pursue legal action to reclaim uninsured losses, motor legal insurance can help cover the associated legal expenses.

Find out more here: How Does a No-Claims Bonus Work?

Do you pay more for car insurance if you are over 80 years old?

Yes, generally car insurance for over 80s drivers tend to be more expensive. This is because insurance premiums are calculated based on risk, and insurers see older drivers as a higher risk on the road. While drivers in their 50s and 60s often benefit from the lowest premiums due to their combination of experience and lower statistical risk, this trend can reverse as drivers enter their late 70s and 80s.

While they are no doubt experienced, older drivers are more likely to have health issues which could impact their ability to drive safely. According to the Department for Transport*, drivers aged over 70 face a higher risk of being involved in motor accidents compared to many younger age groups, with those aged 80 and over facing an even greater level of risk.

Irrespective of their driving ability, insurers might also consider the likelihood that older drivers, if involved in an accident, may sustain more serious injuries, leading to higher claim costs for medical expenses and personal injury payouts.

What is the average cost of car insurance for an 80 year old?

While it's difficult to give a definitive 'average cost', there are a number of factors which can affect the cost of over 80s car insurance. These can include:

• Driving experience.

• Age.

• Type of vehicle.

• Where you live.

• How much you drive.

• Criminal record and claims history.

Do medical conditions affect car insurance?

Regardless of your age, if you have a medical condition, you must inform DVLA and your insurer of any medical conditions listed by the DVLA.

Insurance companies take particular interest in health conditions because they may affect:

• Your reaction times on the road

• Your ability to see clearly and judge distances

• Your physical capability to control the vehicle safely

• The likelihood of having a medical emergency while driving

Certain conditions may lead to higher premiums, but if you fail to disclose them your insurance policy could be invalidated, and you could face a £1,000 fine and possible prosecution if you're in an accident.

Besides your health, it’s also important to keep your eyesight in check to meet driving standards. If you’re 60 or older, you can get a free eye test through the NHS.

Could certain medical conditions force me to give up my licence?

If your doctor advises you to stop driving for three months or longer due to a medical condition, you are required to give up your driving licence.

This may apply to conditions like diabetes, heart disease, strokes, sleep apnoea, or episodes of fainting (find out more here). You may reapply for your licence once your doctor confirms you meet the necessary medical standards for driving.

How to get cheaper car insurance for over 80s drivers

While some factors, such as age and experience, are beyond your control, there are still a number of ways to get cheap car insurance for over 80s. Here are 9 top tips:

1. Drive safely

The longer you drive without making a claim, the more you'll increase your no-claims discount, which usually means cheaper premiums.

2. Drive a car in a lower insurance group

Using a car in a low insurance group is a practical way to keep premiums affordable. Cars in group 1 are the cheapest to insure, while group 50 is the most expensive. Smaller, less powerful cars that have modern safety features are usually in lower insurance groups, making them cheaper to insure.

3. Reduce your annual mileage

The fewer miles you drive, the less you pay for insurance, as reduced time on the road decreases the likelihood of an accident. Some insurers also offer limited mileage policies, which is a type of car insurance designed for drivers who don't drive much each year. It typically offers lower premiums in exchange for agreeing to stay within a certain annual mileage limit.

4. Avoid modifying your car

To keep your premiums down, you should avoid modifying your car, unless it's for safety purposes.

Some insurers may refuse to provide cover for modified cars altogether, and those that do may charge much more.

5. Pay annually

You'll generally pay less for your insurance if you can pay for the whole year upfront rather than in monthly instalments, as this avoids interest.

6. Improve your car's security

Ideally, keep your car in a locked garage or private driveway. If that's not an option, installing security features like an immobiliser or alarms can help reduce the risk of attempted theft.

7. Black box insurance

A telematics device, or black box, records and sends information about your driving, like your speed, acceleration, and braking habits, directly to your insurance company.

If you drive safely and responsibly, black box insurance can help lower your premium at renewal. It demonstrates to your insurer that you're a careful driver, potentially leading to cheaper rates.

8. Increase your voluntary excess

Choosing to add a larger excess to your policy can also help reduce the cost. You can often lower your premium by opting for a larger voluntary excess. However, be sure you're able to pay that amount yourself should you need to claim.

9. Compare car insurance quotes

It's always worth shopping around online and comparing quotes across the market to find the best deal for your car insurance.

*Source: Department for Transport, Reported road casualties Great Britain: older and younger driver factsheets, 2023