Car insurance quotes are being denied to those over 80 years old, Age Concern and Help the Aged has discovered in new research.

It appears that age discrimination is affecting the ability of the over 80’s as they are being increasingly denied a car insurance quote by the insurance industry.

Half of motor insurers exclude this age group irrespective of people’s health. Some of these discriminatory insurers are household names, the research has found.

The research by Age Concern and Help the Aged also shows that while the situation for those at the higher end of the age spectrum is extreme, those in other age groups also experience ageism. Access to insurance becomes increasingly patchy once someone hits 65, with some companies refusing to provide insurance quotes to people in the 65-79 age bracket.

Refusing to issue car insurance quotes for the elderly can place unacceptable restriction on people’s lives. Problems obtaining insurance cover can mean people are prevented visiting friends and family as well as running day to day errands.

It is not just with car insurance that the older ages experience difficulties obtaining insurance. The research also found that third of travel insurers automatically exclude people aged 80 plus seeking quotes. Other insurers increased premiums substantially, by as much as £373 for a traveller over 80 years old compared to a 65 year old.

These findings about car insurance problems experienced by the elderly are published on the same day that a government body recommends that the insurance industry should be allowed to continue using upper age limits and to refuse quotes – effectively endorsing, and possibly increasing the scourge of age discrimination across the industry.