Car insurance costs for drivers in their 70s are generally higher than for those in their 60s.
Insurers see older drivers as more likely to be involved in accidents, which is why premiums tend to rise with age.
Prices usually increase further once drivers reach their 80s.
Age band | Average premiums |
|---|---|
40-49 | £490^ |
50-59 | £380^ |
60-69 | £320^ |
70-79 | £355^ |
80+ | £506^ |
Older drivers, aged 70 and above, are seen as higher risk by insurers due to:
Casualty rates: Government statistics show this rises for those aged over 70
Age-related issues: Older drivers may have slower reaction times and declining vision, which can lead to accidents. ‘Failure to look properly’ was a contributory factor in 28% of fatal or serious collisions involving older drivers, compared to 19% for other drivers between 2019 and 2023.
Medical conditions: ‘Illness or disability’ was a contributory factor in 11% of fatal or serious collisions involving older drivers, compared to 2% for other drivers between 2019 and 2023.
When you’re over 70, there are a few extra things you should think about when buying car insurance:
If you have an existing medical condition that could affect your driving, or your condition gets worse, you must inform the DVLA and your insurance provider.
If you don’t tell them you risk:
Invalidating your insurance policy and any potential claims being refused
A fine of up to £1,000
Prosecution if you cause an accident
If you take medication for your condition, you should check for any side effects.
When you turn 70 you’ll need to renew your driving licence every three years. The process is:
The DVLA sends you a driving licence renewal application form 90 days before your 70th birthday.
You can use this form or the ‘Renew at 70’ online service on GOV.UK to renew your licence for free
You can continue driving while your application is being processed provided you meet certain criteria
You may experience age-related issues, such as hearing loss or vision problems, in your 70s.
It’s a good idea to:
Have regular eyesight checks
Avoid night driving if your vision is impaired
Get your hearing checked at least every two years
As your car insurance premiums may start to rise once you get to your 70s, it’s worth considering the following to lower the cost of cover:
Reducing how much you drive could save you money. Because you’re not on the road as much, you’re less likely to have an accident
Smaller, less powerful cars are cheaper, safer to drive and less attractive to thieves and vandals
If you've enjoyed years of claim-free driving, you might choose to pay a higher voluntary excess to reduce the overall cost of your insurance
The longer you’ve gone without claiming, the more your insurers will knock off your premiums as they’ll see you as less likely to make future claims
Paying annually might mean a big sum up front, but it often works out cheaper than spreading the cost over 12 months
Comparing the price of car insurance from multiple providers using a site like MoneySuperMarket can help you to find a cheaper deal.
After the age of 70, your premiums are likely to rise. Just like standard policies, the fewer miles you drive and the more no claims bonus years you have under your belt, the more money you can shave off your premiums.
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No, you can buy specialist car insurance exclusively for over 70s, but it’s not essential. You may find that a specialist insurance provider offers benefits and options that a standard provider doesn’t though.
A car insurance quote is determined by how ‘risky’ you are to insure. Some medical conditions, like epilepsy or a visual impairment, could make you more of a risk to insure and your premium could increase. You also need to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) or Driver and Vehicle Agency in Northern Ireland about some medical conditions, as they can affect your driving. You can check which conditions need to be reported here.
Yes, if you have retired you can still get car insurance. Make sure you put ‘retired’ and not ‘unemployed’ when getting a car insurance quote as this may affect your premium.
Yes, telematics insurance cover could help you save on your insurance if you’re aged over 70.
It can be particularly useful if:
You don’t use your car much, as many policies are priced based on mileage
You tend not to drive at night, or during rush hour, as that’s when most accidents occur
Yes, if you estimate your low mileage correctly, you could save on your car insurance premium. You can use our annual mileage calculator to check.
There are specialist car insurance policies that might work out cheaper for occasional drivers and those with very low annual mileage.
Telematics or black box cover, and pay-as-you-go policies, for example, can cut costs if you don’t drive very often.
It is worth comparing these types of policies with standard car insurance to see which offers the best deal for your circumstances.
No, as long as you're deemed medically fit to drive, there are car insurance providers with no upper age limit for drivers.
However, a number of insurers increase the costs substantially as you age which can make these policies difficult to afford.
You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), or Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland, if you have a driving licence and develop certain medical conditions or disabilities, or they get worse. Notifiable conditions are anything that could affect your ability to drive safely, including:
Heart conditions
Strokes (or mini strokes)
Diabetes
Visual impairment (such as glaucoma)
Epilepsy
A severe head injury
A brain condition (such as dementia)
A physical disability
Sleep apnoea
Syncope (fainting)
The DVLA or DVA will then assess your medical condition or disability to determine where you can continue to drive. Failing to declare medical conditions that affect your driving could invalidate your insurance policy, and you could face a fine of up to £1,000.
To get an over 70s car insurance quote you’ll just need to provide us with the following details:
name, age and address
registration number or model and age of car
annual mileage
length of no-claims discount
details of your driving history, including any accidents and motoring convictions
You can add various optional extras to your over 70s car insurance if you want to increase your level of protection but check what comes as standard first. Optional extras could include:
Breakdown cover: If you drive a lot or your car is unreliable, breakdown cover gives you access to roadside assistance if your car breaks down
Legal cover: Can pay for certain legal costs related to a claim by you or another party
Personal accident: Can protect you and your family if you sustain a serious injury while out and about in your car
Car keys cover: Covers the cost of replacing a set of keys if they’re lost, damaged or stolen
Courtesy car cover: This provides a replacement vehicle for you to use while yours is in repair
Misfuelling cover: this pays for repair costs if you accidentally top up the tank with the wrong fuel
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Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy car insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
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