Ask Honest John Question of the Week: Is it fair for insurance costs to be so high for the over 70s?

Dear Honest John,

"I am not in any minority, but I do have a wealth of experience including a police driving test, ambulance experience and a High Court ordered test including skidpan and advance driving techniques. I now registered disabled because of arthritis and in remission from cancer which has made me unable to walk very far but not affected my driving style learned though two schools of professional instruction and actual time on the road. I also hold a motorcycle licence.

My concern is being put in the same category as those who do not look further than 50 feet in front of them, never check ahead or through corners even pulling into single track road passing places on their right instead of staying on the left. That alone should make them go back and redo their test.

Why should I pay more or be penalised for my skills and reactions which have not deteriorated that much?
Yes I drive at the speed limit, yes I do not brake continuously, I take my foot off throttle changing gear look ahead and read the road. How many more drivers like myself are there who take pride in their skills and treat their licence as a privilege and not a right?

So why should I pay more because of my age? To those who will critique this, Douglas Bader flew a Spitfire with no legs! Billy Monger still capable of controlling a race car etc.

- DT

Dear DT,

It is understandably frustrating that an experienced driver such as yourself with additional training should pay the same or similar as someone in the same demographic but without the skills and experience you possess.

Unfortunately this is simply down to how insurance companies assess risk, which is based purely on data and statistics and does little to accommodate those who drive with the care and attention that it deserves. Two drivers who are the same on paper could drive very differently, but until the bad driver is involved in an accident their poor attitude will make little difference to their premiums. 

A fairer system would do more to take into account a driver's experience - arguably regular retests or more detailed driver assessments would give insurance companies a greater insight into the skills and behaviour behind the wheel, and charge those who drive without the required care and attention higher premiums.

However, a system such as this would need to be paid for and this would likely come from insurance premiums. Insurance providers are in the business of making money and minimising their risk, so it is sadly inevitable that they look at data and statistics to calculate premiums.

Until such a time that all drivers are assessed on a regular basis or insurance companies look beyond the drivers, some drivers will be penalised unfairly.