If you have just received your license to drive, you and your grandfather might be in the same boat when it comes to car insurance premiums – You will both be annoyed with your car insurance premium and believe that you pay too much. You will most probably claim that you are a much better driver than your elderly grandfather –and your grandfather will argue that he is a much more mature and experienced driver than his adrenaline driven grandchild.
So why do you both fall in a high risk category and have to pay more for car insurance?
We have shared on this blog information about both young and elderly drivers, but believe it would be nice to compare these 2 risk groups next to one another. Both young and elderly drivers have characteristics that impact positively and negatively on their car insurance – ad we would like to share these pro’s and con’s with one another.
Young Drivers [18-25years]
Factors/ Characteristics that reduce the risk of accidents
- Good physical shape and driver fitness
- Good eyesight and strong reflexes
Factors/ Characteristics that increase the risk of accidents
- Tendency to be risk-takers and likely to be “showing –off” and be influenced by peer pressure
- More likely to be distracted by cell calls, texting, passengers and loud music
- Likelihood of driving drunk
- Driving late at night
Elderly Drivers [65+ years]
Factors/ Characteristics that reduce the risk of accidents
- Much less distance driven by the elderly
- The elderly adapt their driving to avoid congested traffic and late night driving
- Many years of driving experience
- More likely to concentrate on the road and less likely to be distracted
Factors/ Characteristics that increase risk of accidents
- Reduced physical ability and fitness to drive
- Reduced eyesight, hearing and slower reflexes
- Increased anxiety – especially in congested driving conditions
- Even though they have many years of driving experience – this was done when exposed to much less congested traffic.
How do the accidents caused by young drivers compare to those of elderly drivers?
Researchers at Kansas State University recently released findings from a crash study amongst different age groups based on involvement and severity.
It was found that even though seniors drove less than younger drivers, their car accidents were more severe, often resulting in injury or death. Compared to the rest of the population, older drivers had the highest incidence of fatal, incapacitating and non- incapacitating crashes, the highest percentage of crashes in daylight, and the highest incidence of accidents at intersections.
The study found that most elderly driver accidents occurred in traffic and often involved hitting another vehicle while driving straight ahead or making a left-hand turn. Younger-aged drivers are more likely than the elderly to drive off the road and hit something.
Conclusion and advice to these age groups
It is internationally accepted that young drivers and elderly drivers will always pay more for their car insurance. It should however not merely be accepted as such – there are still ways for these drivers to reduce car insurance premiums.
Advice to Younger drivers:
- Shop around for your car insurance – make your increasing years of driving experience and age count as you get older
- Try to maintain a safe, accident free driving record
- Find an accredited advanced driving course recognized by your car insurance company
- Be alert to the effect that the car you are driving might have on your premium
- Pay close attention to vehicle security systems and safety features that could reduce your premium
Advice to older drivers
- Try to maintain your safe, accident free record
- Ensure that your lifestyle counts in your favour and you get recognized for the safe area you stay, your closed garage, vehicle security systems etc.
- If you drive less – this should be recognized in your premium – enquire about Pay as You Drive Car Insurance
We would like to invite all our young and elderly drivers to view the Car Insurance Blog for more information on car insurance advice and road safety advice to keep them safe on the roads!