PENSIONERS in Kilkenny are being ripped off by insurers.
Some in the insurance business are charging older drivers triple of what is available elsewhere on the car insurance market.
They are taking advantage of our seniors, quoting them exorbitant rates as they dig into their purses and wallets.
This is according to experts at Insuremycars.ie who say their Over 70s Cost Comparison Analysis reveals staggering price differentials across the market.
It has been revealed that loyalty doesn’t pay for Ireland’s Cocooners, people over 70 who could save over €1,000 on car insurance.
Here is proof positive that the rip-off culture is in Kilkenny City and County as men and women behind the wheels of cars are rolled over and fleeced.
| Age | Car | Area | Best Price | Worst Price |
| 70 | VW Polo 1.1L | Kilkenny | €343 | €852 |
| 72 | Ford Mondeo 2.0 | Kilkenny | €361 | €1,031 |
| 74 | Toyota Corolla 1.4L | Kilkenny | €401 | €1,035 |
| 76 | Peugeot 208 1.2 | Kilkenny | €427 | €1,412 |
The online brokers ran the numbers on the back of a noticeable increase in calls from drivers above a certain age this year, particularly when lockdown restrictions were in place.
Jonathan Hehir, MD of InsuremyCars.ie told Kilkenny Press:
“In the last 12 months, more insurers have taken an interest in the older age categories, and this has driven the prices down a little… but drivers will never benefit from these cheaper prices if they don’t ring around.”
Mr Hehir continued:
“Too often, consumers, particularly older ones, believe that loyalty to a particular insurer will be reciprocated with a favourable price.
“However, we are always at pains to point out that when it comes to insurance – loyalty may have been beneficial in the past, but it does not pay anymore.
“Competition in this market is always changing so you always need to look at all your options.”
Insuremycars.ie outlines money saving tips for drivers:
- Excess: You could possibly increase the excess on your policy, but this should only be done after careful consideration
- Penalty Points: If think you have points, find out exactly when they expire before you ring around for quotes – your renewal date might fall outside the three-year period
- Experience: If you were named on a policy before you had your own policy, make sure to mention this
- Named drivers on a policy and number of vehicles: This can be a big factor.
- Forgetting to take a younger driver off a policy can mean motorists are paying over the odds but in other instances, actually adding a named driver can make your premium cheaper. If there is a second car in the family, spouse/partner this can save money
- Occupation: If you have changed job or role over the then you might find that ticking a new box in the occupation dropdown will have a positive (or negative) effect on premiums
- Policy type: Assess what level of cover you need – in some cases Third Party Fire and Theft will suffice. In others you might need Comprehensive
Car change: Often changing a car should precede a change in insurer. Every insurer has its own rate for different cars.
