For many, driving is not just about how we get from A to B, but about independence, personal freedom, and self-sufficiency. This is especially true for seniors, for whom the privilege of having their own set of keys can often mean the difference between staying connected to the world around us – whether it’s visiting friends, getting to appointments or, above all else, taking a leisurely drive just to feel the wind in one’s hair – or having to rely on someone else for transportation. But when drivers reach their 80s, the picture of car insurance car insurance starts to change, and tough questions have to be answered here about safety, liability and the most effective ways to keep seniors behind the wheel – as protected as possible, but also empowered.
The Changing Insurance Landscape
Car insurance isn’t fun for any driver at any age. But for those over 80, the details of securing and maintaining good coverage can easily become a minefield. Because the majority of people over 80 often feel they have little choice but to drive, many insurers treat them as high-risk clients, based on the belief that slower reflexes, weaker eyesight, and increasing dementia all add up to a dangerous combination. This can result in higher premiums even for drivers who have perfect records.
But this doesn’t mean that all drivers over 80 are poor risks; many seniors do indeed continue to drive safely into their 80s and well beyond, often more carefully and with far more experience than drivers in their 20s and 30s. The problem is that we need some form of insurance that recognises this fact. The goal should be fair and adequate coverage (not just for seniors, but in fact for everyone) that doesn’t automatically penalise everyone over 80 simply because of their age.
Driving Safely in Your 80s
The octogenarian driver’s key to car insurance is to ensure the safety and education components are front and centre. Having regular medical check-ups is not only for overall health, but also for maintaining a level of driving fitness. This includes making sure that vision and hearing are acute, and that reflexes are responsive. There are also refresher or older driver courses that seniors can take to improve their driving skills, which may even translate into a reduced insurance premium.
Technology, too, is now an important ally on the road for mature motorists. Modern cars are fitted with sophisticated safety technology, such as lane departure warnings, automatic braking and rearview cameras. Older drivers who purchase a car with these features can benefit from the added protection they offer on the road. Insurers are waking up to the benefits of these technological advances, and may be willing to reduce the price of a poli- cies for people who use them.
The Importance of Tailored Insurance
Many insurance policies for over-80 drivers are not tailored to the specific needs of older adults, who tend to drive less and are more likely to have a safe driving record. Some drivers over 80 are full-time residents of long-term care facilities or are no longer drivers. It is vital for seniors to purchase policies that match their driving habits. For example, many seniors drive only locally and travel less miles annually than younger drivers (sometimes as little as 1,000 miles or fewer per year). Since most insurance companies offer lower premiums to people who drive 10,000 miles or fewer per year, there are opportunities for significant savings for these drivers.
Plus, coverage should be reviewed periodically. As circumstances change – perhaps you drive less, or switch to a safer car, or move to a less congested area – your coverage needs will change, too. Being proactive about changes can help seniors avoid the double misery of overpaying and underpaying for insurance.
Overcoming the Stigma
And an insidious stigma is growing up around older people as bad drivers, provocatively including those insurance companies that sometimes charge more and allow less-frequent use of older drivers. Meanwhile, many seniors are among the safest drivers on the road, using decades of experience and a safe-and-sound approach to the streets. It’s time for the insurance industry, and indeed all of society, to acknowledge this, and to help keep driving possible and affordable for older drivers.
For a driver over 80, perhaps but it’s not that dark, either. With the proper safety measures and the right insurance policy, the challenge isn’t insurmountable. The healthier they are, the better drivers they become. With their keen sense of foresight, if they think there’s any danger they’ll avoid driving altogether. The safety and benefits of driving can be maintained for seniors with the right attitude and the right insurance. They won’t just be on the road, they’ll be in the driver’s seat, correctly covered, and correctly insured.
