Looking for a new car insurance policy?  Thinking about switching plans or even companies?  Worried that your age and experience is not getting you the benefits you deserve?  Perhaps it's time to consider signing up for a tailor-made seniors' car insurance policy - one that will give you all the cover you need without costing you the earth.

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Seniors' car insurance is an area which most large car insurance firms cover, and it's little wonder why - a large portion of the population are classified as falling into the 'senior' category, and a significant number of these people still drive regularly.  The key difference that seniors' policies have when compared with other car insurance policies is that the experience of the driver is taken as a positive factor.  Younger drivers with less experience, for instance, will be charged more for their insurance cover because they are statistically more likely to make a claim.  Fortunately, the insurance companies recognize that the more years spent behind the wheel, the more confident and experienced the driver is likely to be, and therefore car insurance companies happily offer discounts for their senior policies.

The deciding factors for selecting a good seniors' policy should include the range of protection the policy offers and the ease with which the policy can be changed or negotiated.  Some car insurance companies will offer policies which appear to be a good deal on the surface, but which come with hidden costs and fees - particularly if you decide to change details within the policy or cancel it altogether.  Other policies will simply lack the coverage that seniors may decide is necessary - such as breakdown cover, legal cover, and coverage when driving overseas.  It's incredibly important that you read the fine print to avoid being caught in one of these insurance loop-holes.  Fortunately there are a number of respected insurance companies out there that do genuinely offer a comprehensive and affordable seniors' policy - it's simply a matter of shopping around.

So what should you look for specifically when you are trying to find the seniors' policy which suits your needs?  First, try to find an insurance company which offers their senior customers a reduction in their policy costs.  Most reputable companies do offer seniors' discounts as they recognize that experience on the road tends to limit the number of claims that are made on the policy.  If the company doesn't offer a discount for age and experience, they are less likely to be sympathetic towards other senior requirements.  Another way to get a quick discount on your policy is to enquire if the insurer offers a reduction for low annual mileage.  Although not all insurance companies offer such a discount, it is always worth asking!

The second factor to look closely at is the different levels of cover that the company has to offer.  Most will have a minimum cover policy which offers protection for third party, fire and theft.  If you are looking to save on your policy this would certainly be a good option to consider, although it is important that you understand you may not be covered for loss of property within the car or some forms of damage to the vehicle.  The next level of cover will take into account problems such as windscreen damage, audio damage (or theft from within the vehicle), accidental damage to the exterior of the car whilst parked in a public place, and so forth.  Higher levels of cover will factor in legal costs (which may be incurred if you are in an accident which is taken to court, for example) and breakdown cover.  Of course the degree of insurance cover you choose will ultimately come down to how confident you are with your own driving abilities and how much you are willing to pay for peace of mind.

Another factor to consider when you are looking into your insurance policy is the additional courtesies the policy offers you.  Some companies as a rule will supply courtesy cars if the insured car is involved in an accident or needs to spend a significant period of time at the mechanics.  Another additional courtesy which some companies have been known to offer is RAC breakdown cover at a reduced cost (if not free!).  Other discounts that may be open to you include the reduced cost of cover if more than one car is listed on the policy, the ability to negotiate your excess to as close to zero as possible, and (if the company is a large one) discounts on other policies such as for your home, for travel, and so forth.  This is not by any means the case with all insurers, so it is certainly worth investigating before you sign on the dotted line and pay your fees.

Finally, it is important to keep in mind the many factors which will hinder your application for a car insurance policy.  These issues are not a problem solely for seniors, in fact they impact anyone who applies for insurance, young or old.  Factors such as prior criminal convictions, the cancellation of a prior insurance policy or even the refusal of an insurance application will cause the insurance cover to increase in cost significantly.  Previous accidents or damage done to the vehicle as well as any modifications (legal or otherwise) carried out on the vehicle will also have an effect on the overall cost of the insurance, as will the make and model of the car itself.  Cars that are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident (due to damage or modification), or cars which have a negative track record in terms of longevity and safety will generally be more expensive to insure. 

Although finding the right car insurance policy may seem to be an incredibly complicated process which may or may not end in success, the truth is that undertaking a thorough investigation of the policies available will save you a lot of money and effort further down the road.