UK insurance providers for an 80 year old rider?..

[IanW]

Now that I’ve turned 80 there seem to be fewer available insurers for my VStrom 650 when renewal comes up.  I would be pleased to receive advice on companies I could use which aren’t mainstream and so have an age block of 75.   Many thanks

[Upt North]

Some information off t'internet thingymabob that may help....

I am 83 Years.
And ride a Honda Forza 350cc.
I had the same Problem.
I found Adrian Flux insurance.
Who insured me no Problems.

Next door neighbour 91 insured with Carole Nash

I got refused by Carole Nash! But found Bike Sure very helpfull with my 650 Royal enfield, I'm 81.

Upt.

[Ianmc]

   There are plenty of insurance companies out there who will insure the over 80’s like myself,but they cost a bomb.
   I have a 18 month old Honda Forza 350 and a mint 2014 Vstrom 650 and have just gone with Bikesure for £531,which includes U.K. and EU breakdown and recovery,but without any cover for riding with a passenger.That is a fair jump in my estimation.
   I used Carole Nash for years with a Six-Wheel policy that covered both car and bike inc.breakdown and recovery in U.K. and EU as we went to Europe on the bike for years.That was refused when I reached 70 yrs. old.Their loss as I would have still been with them.

[Phild]

When I had two bikes, it worked out far cheaper to have two separate policies.

Don’t know why, it just did.🤷‍♂️

[The Doctor 46]

As above for me too, strange?    

[Brockett]

And there was me thinking it would get cheaper every year as I had more NCB and more experience.  Although at 78 I am still only a lad.

[Malfos]

When I get a quote for insurance, or do a comparison check, there is always a question " Have you ever been refused motor insurance?" I have always been able to honestly answer " No". It could prove tricky when answering this question, when getting an alternative quote, if my insurer will no longer insure me. Strictly  speaking under those circumstances, I would have been refused insurance, so maybe I would then have to answer " Yes" No doubt that would raise the premium even further.
What do other members think?

[UK_Vstrom650]

I don't think it's refused insurance but rather they're declining to offer a quote.

[Malfos]

Attached is the relevant page from a "Confused.com"  proposal declaration which asks " Have you ever had insurance declined?"  - Yes or No. If insurance had been declined on grounds of age, to be truthful the answer would need to be Yes.
In the event of a claim, if the answer given was No, when insurance had actually been declined because of age, the insurance company could invalidate the policy for not saying insurance has previously been declined.
I am not siding with  insurance companies at all, but this unfair discrimination against older drivers / riders put us in some difficulty when trying to be honest and make the correct declaration when getting insurance quotes.

[Phild]

Take a look at ‘Grey Matters’ on YouTube……

He lobbies for all things ‘Grey’…. Another word for us oldies.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Malfos, does that link to explain what they want ask if you've been declined insurance on the grounds of age? Am sure that would fall under age discrimination. That's why I think it's they're declining to quote rather than saying 'I'm declining your insurance due to age'.

I once had Bikesure tell me last year's underwriter had declined to offer a quote at renewal but they had another quote which turned out to be cheaper. Bikesure have never said that means I've been declined insurance.

[Malfos]

UK-Vstrom650.   It just asks ( it is a bit small print)  " Have you ever had insurance declined, cancelled or special terms imposed?" The only answers on the quote that you can give are Yes or No.
Another insurer may well offer cover even if you have been turned down by your current insurer because they won't insure a 75 yr old or an 80 yr old. The new insurance company may well accept your premium but may look very closely and possibly interview you if an expensive claim is made. The information is shared between insurance companies. It would easily be seen that you had stated that you have not been declined insurance cover when in fact you had been declined insurance previously albeit was because you did not fit the age requirements of the company that declined you cover.
I may be wrong, but I am very careful with insurance, and don't want to be in a position where they can
 trip me up if I made a claim.
I also agree with you that it's age discrimination to decline insurance cover to a safe driver on grounds of age.
However, under the Equality Act 2010, although it is not allowed to discrimination for reasons of age generally, motor insurance is one of a number of specific exemptions to the act, so discrimination on grounds of age re motor insurance is allowed. Although I don't agree with it it is legally allowed..
I am on "our" side and I'm not arguing for the insurer on this matter, but this refusing or declining to offer cover to an older rider/driver does put us in some difficulty when obtaining another quote.
Thanks for your interest and considered response