Car Insurance and Your Age

Why insurers ask your age

Age is one of several details insurers use when working out the likelihood and possible cost of a claim. It is considered alongside your driving record, address, occupation, car, mileage and the cover you choose. Age alone does not decide the price, and two drivers of the same age can receive very different quotes.

Newer drivers often pay more because they have less experience on the road. At the other end of the scale, prices can begin to rise for some much older drivers. Between those points, a longer clean record and an established no-claims bonus may help. Our fuller guide explains how driver age affects car insurance.

Young and newly qualified drivers

Passing the test is a big step, but the first policy can be expensive. The car chosen matters greatly: a modest model in a lower insurance group will usually be easier to insure than a powerful or heavily modified one. Adding an experienced person as a genuine named driver can sometimes help, but the younger driver must be shown as the main driver if they use the car most.

Read our guides to car insurance for young drivers, insurance after passing the driving test and cover requirements for young or new drivers.

Learners, provisional licences and black boxes

A learner may be covered by a separate learner policy or added to somebody else’s policy. Check who may supervise, which car is covered and what happens when the learner passes, as learner cover may end immediately. Start with learner-driver insurance and insurance with a provisional licence.

Telematics or black-box cover records aspects of driving such as speed, braking, time of travel and mileage. It can suit a careful young driver, although restrictions and charges vary. See whether young drivers should choose telematics.

Drivers in their fifties, sixties and beyond

Many experienced motorists have a long driving history and substantial no-claims bonus, but it still pays to compare quotations rather than assume renewal will be competitive. Retirement, reduced mileage or a change in use should be described accurately. Very low mileage does not guarantee a lower price with every insurer.

We have separate pages about car insurance for drivers over 50 and cover for drivers over 60.

Health, licence rules and honest answers

Age itself is not a reason to stop driving. However, the DVLA must be told about certain medical conditions, and licences have different renewal requirements later in life. An insurer may also ask about health or licence restrictions. Answer what is asked fully and tell both the DVLA and insurer when required.

Useful related reading includes insurance for disabled drivers and cover during medical treatment.

Comparing cover at any age

Use the same accurate information for every quotation. Compare the excess, permitted drivers, use of the car and important extras, not just the headline premium. Paying less is no saving if the policy does not cover the journeys you make or carries an excess you could not comfortably meet.