Keeping Costs Down On Insurance For Older Drivers

The things that we can to to avoid extra costs

Insurance for older drivers can be kept reasonable with a few simple rules to follow and do some research. The fact that eyesight and reaction times decline as old age creeps up on us is a matter of biological truth. Today with ever increasing levels of traffic on the roads and more roads as well, plus all the "traffic calming" measures designed to calm traffic and infuriate drivers, it's no small wonder that any drivers get confused let alone older drivers! In the blink of an eye an accident can happen to anyone, so it pays at whatever age you are to look twice before you do anything rash.

Some car insurance companies today are starting to insist that drivers over certain ages have a medical, before they will give Insurance for older drivers. This needn't be confined to mature drivers as all drivers would benefit as well as frequent driving test updates at all ages possibly getting more frequent when you age. You can help your self by building up a good no claims bonus on your policy and making sure you have legal protection at all times whatever your age. Maybe it makes sense when you have a little bump in a car park to pay for it yourself unless you have a protected no claims bonus.

Whilst this all seems a bit of a gloomy picture for insurance for older drivers there are many things anyone can do whatever their age to reduce the risk of an accident of any description. It really revolves around becoming more aware of your surroundings and maybe taking a fraction more time just to make sure. So what can you do?

1/ Understand that the smaller knocks often occur in a supermarket car park, so take more care when going there, park away from other vehicles if possible and walk around your car when leaving to see that there is sufficient room for you.

2/ When pulling out of a space check no one is behind you like a small child who can become invisible through your rear screen. Open your window to listen out for any sounds that might indicate this like laughter shouting and so on.

3/ Never rely solely on your rear view mirrors, even if you used to be a lorry driver! They just don't give you a full field of view.

4/ When you decide its safe to go, just move slowly and keep looking to both sides to check anything hasn’t come into your reversing area. If you should hit something it will be quite gentle and hopefully not too much damage will be done even to a child who will hopefully have had time to move out of the way.

5/Try and turn as far round as physically possible. It is more difficult when you're older, for sure then rather than just twisting your neck try and twist from the shoulders and waist more.

6/ At roundabouts and t-junctions or cross roads, take a little more time look twice and if you feel that it doesn't "seem right" stay where you are until sure.

7/ Pulling out to overtake on a dual carriageway, look twice and signal BEFORE you move to give anyone else including yourself chance to make a decision.

8/ Keep as fit as you can, so that you don't get so stiff and the fitter you are the more alert your brain is too.

9/ Take some extra driving lessons and try for an advanced driver qualification. The car insurance companies will love you for it! The idea of extra professional driving lessons anyway even if you don't feel up to taking an advanced test will sharpen your perception and find out those bad habits you have developed over the years, such as steering with one hand, or an elbow out of the window, or not keeping your rear-view mirror under constant review.

10/ Have your eyes checked professionally every year, for your own health as well as for driving. The optician can get a good idea of your overall health from looking into your eyes. The time might come when you are no longer fit to drive and by being checked out in this way it is likely to be later rather than sooner because you are better trained to do the job!

So you can see the advantages of being sensible here and taking precautions (reminds me of something can't remeber what!). In most incidents the accident could be prevented and if you make haste slowly you will be fine and keep your insurance for older drivers at a reasonable level.