4 Tips to Keep Your Premiums Down and Keep You On the Road Through Your Golden Years

Just because you are getting older does not mean that you have to give up the freedom of driving. That being said, there are some important tips that you should keep in mind. As you get older, if you’re prone to getting in accidents, or are not aware of the rules and regulations out of on the road, your insurance premiums are bound to increase. These tips will keep not only you and others safe, but will end up saving you money in the long run through having lower insurance premiums. 

Being Physically Active

Nothing is better for you as you get older than being physically active. Believe it or not, staying physically active keeps you healthy and helps you drive safely. This is because physical activities help improve your flexibility and strength, making it easier for you to look over your shoulder and steer the wheel. It can also keep you more alert. Let's face it, driving requires a lot more than just sitting there. You need to be able to move and be flexible to check your blind spots and to park safely. Walking is a great activity to keep you active. You should also stretch your muscles, particularly the muscles that you use while driving.

Vision and Hearing Tests

Two important senses that you need when driving are vision and hearing, but these senses tend to diminish with age. This is why it's so important that you stay up to date on all of your hearing and vision tests. Vision is important because you have to be able to see what you are doing when you are on the road. Having poor vision can also affect your ability to drive at night. Hearing is just as important because drivers with hearing problems are unable to hear approaching trains or even emergency vehicles.

Taking a Driving Course

One of the best ways to keep your driving skills sharp is to take a driving course. Taking a driving course for seniors is a fantastic way to keep your skills fresh and learn new ways to help reduce the risk of getting into an accident. Many of these courses are offered in both a classroom and online. North Shore Driving School Ltd has a more of a classroom or live format up in Burnaby in Canada. There are lots of options to choose from. This makes it easy to find a course that fits your schedule. These types of courses will cover everything from how to use the latest technology in vehicles properly to the most common causes of crashes in which seniors are involved. Sometimes seniors can even receive insurance discounts for taking these kinds of courses.

Drive Under the Best Conditions

You can dramatically increase your driving safety if you drive under the best conditions. This includes driving only in good weather, which doesn't include rain. You should also avoid driving when visibility is not clear, which could mean not driving at night if you have problems seeing.

Following these few simple tips can keep you safe on the road. Remember that it's not just your life you are trying to protect; you are also trying to protect the lives of other road users. There is no reason to put yourself or anyone else in harm's way. If you get to the age where you no longer feel safe behind the wheel, then it's just as important to know when to quit driving.

Also, remember that these tips will help your wallet as well.

The Safest Cars for Senior Drivers

It's a simple fact of life: as we get older, our priorities change. It should come as little surprise then that when it comes to cars, senior drivers do not have the same priorities as younger motorists when it comes to what they drive.

For most senior drivers, an abundance of speed or a flashy exterior have little appeal. Senior drivers are more likely to be seeking practicality, usability and safety in a new car. These priorities differ from their younger counterparts not only because seniors tend to live different lifestyles, but also because most seniors over the age of 65 have one or more health issues that need to be accommodated for. In most cases, low-slung sports cars and raised four-wheel drive vehicles are simply out of the question for older drivers.

If you are a senior who is in the market for a new car, you should be mindful of your individual needs when making a decision. Doing so can help you better determine which cars are best for you. It’s also a good idea to check online reviews of new and used cars for sale. By doing their homework before buying, seniors can be better informed consumers and have a better shot of finding a new car that is just right.

Here’s a look at some of the best and safest cars for senior drivers. All have been designed with safety and practicality in mind – you'll note that all are offered either as four- or five-door models – and each fulfills a particular niche that separates it from the next.

The Family Hauler: Chrysler Town & Country

The Chrysler Town & Country has been the gold standard for minivans since it was first introduced in 1982. Combining the driving characteristics of a traditional family sedan with the space and usability of a sports utility vehicle, the Town & Country is ideal for senior drivers who are seeking a vehicle that offers a large passenger capacity. With easy ingress and egress, senior drivers will find getting into the vehicle poses no difficulties, and there is ample seating for grandchildren.

The Luxury Cruiser: Lexus LS460

For senior drivers who are seeking the ultimate in luxury refinement, there can be no other choice than the Lexus LS460. Quiet, comfortable, luxurious, well-appointed, safe, and technologically advanced, the LS460 is a world-class sedan that will impress even the most discerning individual. What truly separates the Lexus LS460 from the competition, however, is its many technological advancements, such as self-parking and pre-collision warning systems.

The Safe Choice: Volvo S60

The Volvo S60 offers sophisticated luxury in an understated package and has been designed with safety in mind. Perhaps not surprising given the company's reputation for producing safe automobiles, but the S60 from Volvo is one of the safest vehicles on the road. In both NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) and Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) testing, it received five out of five stars for safety, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it “good” ratings in all categories.

The All-Rounder: Toyota Camry

As the most popular sedan in America, the Toyota Camry is liked by many. And for good reason: it tends to do just about everything well. It provides ample performance, offers a number of amenities and features, is safe and well-designed, and is comfortable and easy to drive. Furthermore, it is available in a variety of different trim levels to suit drivers' individual needs. If you are seeking a reliable, trouble-free, and generally well-rounded sedan, you can't go wrong with the Toyota Camry.

The Gas Mileage King: Toyota Prius

The current king of the hybrid marketplace, the Toyota Prius shares much of the traits of its older sibling, the Camry, while offering superior gas mileage in a variety of body styles. The current Prius lineup includes not only the standard Toyota Prius sedan, but the Prius V and Prius C as well. The former is a minivan-sized vehicle while the latter is a small hatchback perfect for city driving. Whichever model you choose, you can expect superb gas mileage in a practical package.



By Samantha Rivers

Samantha Rivers is a freelance writer and editor who covers automotive, insurance and finance topics both online and in print. She is a contributing editor to UpwardOnward.com and is on Twitter @SassySammyBee.

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