Driving and Auto Insurance for Seniors

Older motorists should know that they may not be as fit as they were once before and it may affect driving. Companies can quickly pick on them by pushing automobile insurance premiums up once they start seeing a fender bender here a traffic ticket there. In fact, some insurers don’t even need an excuse to charge more. However, there are ways of dealing with ageing related driving issues and high premiums.

As the population ages the number of older drivers will keep increasing. As of now, approximately forty five million American motorists are over 65, which is probably too young to hand over the keys. There are people who still function well behind the wheel at ninety five. As long as they are fit and able there is no reason for concern. However, you should make sure that you don’t get involved in accidents in order to continue getting cheap car insurance for seniors.

For many people driving is a symbol of independence. As long as they can get to essential places like grocery stores and doctor appointments by themselves they feel independent. Therefore, many like to carry on as they do not want to be a burden to their families. Or they do not want to sit at home and wait for someone to come and take them out.

Assessing Driving Abilities and Correcting Issues

There is no requirement to prove fitness to keep a license after 75, except in Illinois where a road test is required once you pass this milestone. This does not mean that you should not have a look at your abilities. Actually, some experts suggest that people should not wait for signs to assess how an aging body restrains motoring activities.

There are many free or cheap virtual and instructed safe driver courses designed for this purpose. These courses refresh knowledge and offer tailored advice. The body functions like vision, neck flexibility and reaction times can be checked. Knowing such restraints and brushing up on the knowledge will help people to be more aware on the roads.

The worst thing people can do is to be defensive when their skills are questioned. The best thing to do is self-police your abilities behind the wheel and do something about fixing the problems. Body gets slower as the years go by. However, there is help in the way of adjusted seats, steering wheels and many other modifications in vehicles. When these skills are refreshed and problems addressed, the risks would be reduced.

When an Older Person Should Stop Driving

Giving up the car keys is a milestone in adult life. Many people see it as losing independence and like to keep automobiles. So, it may be wise for children and relatives to watch out for the signs. Maybe not make them stop but make sure that they get sufficient help.

If you see many scratches, dents and other marks in an elderly relative’s car, these are signs that they are having problems. If they are causing long queues, getting disorientated with their whereabouts and getting lost on the roads they know very well they may need help.

Older people should seek help and fix the issues before they end up in serious accidents. The problem is that their injuries will take much longer to heal so prevention is extra important. Prevention also helps in getting cheap auto insurance for senior citizens. Nobody is likely to take away a licence due to age. However, you must be mature enough to judge it for yourself.

Auto Insurance for Older Drivers

Statistical data shows that fatal traffic accidents increase over the age of 70. This increase is particularly visible when they take longer distance journeys. That is why most companies would start increasing car insurance rates at age 70 and onwards. How much the rate hike would be will depend on many factors like accident and traffic violation history, the auto insured and the insurer.

Some companies only cover people over 50 and this could be a good time to explore this and many other avenues. Also, they are usually wealthier than young people and it helps in many ways. For example, living in a nice neighborhood would mean that your zip code attracts better rates. Owning a home and having a garage are some of the other positive factors.

In fact, they can even bring down the costs. Most companies offer economical vehicle insurance for elderly who do not travel many miles. Many mature motorists are extra vigilant. They avoid night time, long distance and rush hour. They keep it to essential needs and short journeys. If it is less than seven thousand five hundred miles a year they are likely to get discounts.