Insurance and safety for seniors
Posted May 30, 2011 3:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Drivers between the ages of 55 and 70 have among the lowest collision rates in the country, but an insurance expert warns seniors to be pro-active to maintain that status.
Anne-Marie Thomas of Insurancehotline.com tells 660News, many seniors should ask loved ones if they have noticed physical changes in their behaviour.
“Maybe they should be getting their eyes and their hearing checked,” says Thomas, “because sometimes as we get older our hearing is fading and our eyesight is fading which makes driving just that much more difficult. Especially night-time, there seems to be a concern with a lot of seniors and night driving.”
Their driving skills might be in decline, but Thomas says insurance rates for seniors are often heading down as well.
“There are a lot of insurance companies out there who target the 50-plus market,” adds Thomas. “The trick with those of us over the age of 50 and older is” (to) “shop around and find the right rate for your profile.”
Thomas says the 50-plus demographic is the fatest growing demo of consumers doing online rate comparisons.
She adds, it’s a misconception that elderly drivers are bad drivers, but she adds a caveat to that comment when it comes to being ready to drive.
“Keep your neck muscles moving, keep yourself mobile, so that you can check your blind spot in a hurry if you need to,” says Thomas in conclusion. “You know, just overall being aware of your physical state.”
