General Insurance - Insurace for an older driver

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Insurace for an older driver

Printed From: BMW Car Club Forum
Category: Car Insurance
Forum Name: General Insurance
Forum Description: General Insurance discussion
URL: https://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=16537
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 1:48am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Insurace for an older driver

Posted By: PhilBM
Subject: Insurace for an older driver
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2024 at 11:35am

My father in law's insurance is due for renewal very soon, and has just been hit by a large increase in his renewal. it's jumped from £279 last year to a whopping £852 this year. Now the main point I should mention is that he'll turn 80 this year, and it seems to be the main reason for the increase after speaking to his current insurance company, although they also say his 2007 BMW 325i SE convertible is not considered yet to be a classic, but didn't seem to be a problem for them last year.

He only does 3000 miles a year, with the wife and dog visiitng places here and in Europe, but as it's not his daily driver he's now considering selling it because with a major service due, road tax and addtional costs it's all mounting up, to the point where he's not seeing the value in keepinjg the car which would be a shame, given how he still enjoys owning and drivng it.

Does any one have any recommendations of insurance companies he could try who might be more reasonable on the price? He's obviously realistic to what he may have to pay but that renewal does seem excessive.

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87 E30 325i Sport
15 F15 X5 40d M Sport
18 F32 420i M Sport coupe

Replies:

Posted By: Norrie
Date Posted: 29 Feb 2024 at 7:24pm

Interesting question. The whole insurance premium is based on a perceived risk assessment. There are a number of ways that the premium can be reduced those include but are not limited to:=

car garaged or secure compound at night.
tracker or such device fitted
the number of declared miles pa
occupation or if retired a former barrister, driving instructor, pilot or doctor will get a better rate than a gardener as an example
is the car shared by another driver, perhaps younger but over 25
declared value

the list is not exhaustive. I found personally for my Alpina B7 and M235i that Howdens via the Thatcham branch (only) have been very reasonable.

Posted By: NickDE
Date Posted: 29 Feb 2024 at 8:11pm

You could try Footman James, they seem to have a sensible attitude to what they view as a classic car.

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Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go Echo. RIP The Vibrator

Posted By: Norrie
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 6:13pm

Interesting, however as Footman James are a broker they will be adding their fees to the underwriters policy. Never used them, but will experiment to see how "sensible" they are in my specific case.

Posted By: Adrian Flux
Date Posted: 01 Feb 2025 at 8:10pm

Hi.

Please feel free to give us a try for insurance if you wish.

Regards,

Dan.

Posted By: Norrie
Date Posted: 05 Feb 2025 at 6:00pm

I have found most of these companies dont have anyone who is actually very knowledgeable its a bit like dealing with Little Britain . Despite explaining to one lady I have a 10ft high wall around where I live, electronic gates, ANPR recognition and CCTV, it has the same status according to her as "its parked on your drive"

One car is kept in the garage, lock, tracker etc. Thats good its reduces your premiums she says. However, it can be left overnight on any street in any town and still full insured.

I have learnt if it aint broke dont fix it and insure with the same people year on year who actually have physically seen my vehicles.