Drivers aged 70 and over pay an average of $1,328 per year for comprehensive car insurance — just $58 more than the lowest-cost age group (60–69), according to CHOICE’s January 2026 survey of 221,677 quotes. That gap is small, but it grows the older you get. And there are factors beyond the premium — age excesses, driver restrictions, and state licence requirements — that matter as much as the headline price. This guide maps all of it.
The questions people over 70 ask most — and rarely get straight answers to — addressed plainly before anything else.
Slightly — but not dramatically, at first. CHOICE’s January 2026 survey of 221,677 quotes found drivers aged 70 and over pay an average of $1,328 per year for comprehensive car insurance. That’s $58 more than the 60–69 age group ($1,270), which pays the lowest average of any age bracket in Australia. The increase becomes more meaningful as you move through your 70s and into your 80s. Drive.com.au ran comprehensive quotes for every age from 18 to 100 on a 2026 Toyota RAV4 in Sydney and found the curve bends noticeably upward around age 70 and steepens in the mid-70s. A clean driving record, lower annual kilometres, and a vehicle garaged overnight all counteract this pressure — insurers don’t price solely on age. Your profile as a whole still matters more than any single factor.
An age excess is an additional out-of-pocket amount you pay on top of your standard policy excess when a driver over a certain age — often 70 or 75, depending on the policy — is at the wheel at the time of an incident. This is separate from, and in addition to, your standard excess. Not all insurers apply one, and those that do vary in the age threshold and the amount. Apia (50+ specialist) and Australian Seniors do not apply a high-driver age excess the way some general-market insurers do — it’s a specific advantage of policies built for older drivers. Before accepting any renewal or new policy, find the “excess” section of the Product Disclosure Statement and look for words like “aged driver excess,” “mature driver excess,” or “age-related excess.” If you can’t find it or aren’t sure, call the insurer directly and ask: “Is there any additional excess that applies when I, as the policyholder aged [your age], am driving?”
Blanket refusal based on age alone is not permitted under Australia’s Age Discrimination Act 2004 and is inconsistent with the Australian Human Rights Commission’s guidelines on age-based treatment. However, insurers can and do apply higher excesses, restrict driver eligibility conditions, or decline to write coverage for very high-risk profiles — and those decisions are more likely to be triggered by driving record, medical conditions affecting driving ability, or vehicle type than by age alone. If you believe you’ve been refused or treated differently solely because of your age, you can lodge a complaint with the AFCA (Australian Financial Complaints Authority) at afca.org.au or 1800 931 678 — their service is free and they have jurisdiction over insurance disputes including those involving age-related treatment. Alternatively, contact the Australian Human Rights Commission at humanrights.gov.au.
Industry-wide premium inflation is real and documented. Canstar’s 2026 Car Insurance Star Ratings put the average Australian comprehensive premium at around $2,460 per year nationally — significantly higher than pre-2022 figures. The causes are not personal to you: rising vehicle repair costs as modern cars become more complex, parts supply chain pressures following the pandemic, and the combined effect of vehicle theft rates and severe weather events (which cost Australian insurers a record $8.5 billion in 2024, per the Insurance Bureau of Australia). Your clean record keeps you at the best rate within your risk band, but the band itself has moved up. The only reliable counter is comparison shopping at every renewal. CHOICE, Finder, and Canstar all run free multi-insurer comparisons. Seniors who compare consistently at renewal save $200–$600 compared to those who auto-renew.
For most drivers over 70, agreed value is the more appropriate choice — and here’s the specific reason it matters for this age group. Many older Australians drive a well-maintained vehicle that is several years old with low annual kilometres. On a market value policy, the insurer pays what the car was worth at the time of the loss — which can be significantly less than replacement cost, because a 10-year-old car with low kilometres may be valued modestly on the open market despite being in excellent condition and reliable for daily transport. With agreed value, you lock in the insured amount at policy inception, and that’s what you receive if the car is written off. Apia, Australian Seniors, RACQ, RACV, NRMA, and Allianz all offer agreed value as an option. Confirm which is the default on any policy you’re considering — some default to market value unless you specifically select agreed value — and confirm the agreed amount feels right before signing.
Not necessarily — and this is a genuine cost-saving opportunity that many older Australians miss. Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your own vehicle as well as third-party property and injury. If your vehicle’s market value is $5,000 or less, the annual comprehensive premium plus your excess may actually exceed what the car is worth to insure — meaning a total-loss claim nets you very little after paying your own costs. Third Party Property Damage cover, which protects other people’s property and is far cheaper (often $300–$500 per year for a clean record), keeps you legally protected while removing the cost of insuring a low-value vehicle for its own damage. The key question: could you afford to replace the car yourself if it was written off, or absorb repair costs for minor damage? If yes, Third Party Property Damage may be sufficient. If no — particularly for drivers who depend on their vehicle for medical appointments and daily independence — comprehensive remains the right choice regardless of vehicle age.
If a medical assessment results in your licence being cancelled or restricted, your car insurance situation changes depending on the restriction. A full licence cancellation means you are no longer legally permitted to drive, and driving with a cancelled licence voids any car insurance claim — the policy will not pay out if you’re at the wheel without a valid licence. A modified or restricted licence (common in NSW for drivers 85+, allowing driving within a local area) still counts as a valid licence for insurance purposes, provided you drive only within the permitted conditions. The most important thing: inform your insurer immediately if your licence status changes, including if you receive a restricted or conditional licence. Failure to disclose a material change in your ability to drive is grounds for an insurer to decline a claim, and licence status is always a material fact. AFCA (1800 931 678) handles disputes if an insurer declines a claim in circumstances you believe were disclosed properly.
How the key providers compare for drivers in their 70s, 80s, and beyond. Age excess terms and driver restrictions vary — always read the PDS before purchasing.
| Provider | Min Age | Age Excess Risk | Best Feature for 70+ | PAYD Option | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apia | 50+ | Lower risk · built for 50+ | 50+ only underwriting · $20M liability std | Ask | 13 50 50 |
| Australian Seniors | 50+ | Lower risk · 50+ specialist | PAYD · agreed value · Hollard backed | Yes | 13 13 43 |
| Youi | None | Personalised · ask at quote | 24/7 roadside standard · personalised pricing | Available | 13 9684 |
| NRMA Insurance | None | Check PDS · varies | Own repairer · agreed value · trusted brand | Not std | 132 132 |
| Allianz | None | Check PDS · varies | Agreed value std · own repairer · global backing | Not std | 13 2664 |
| Budget Direct | None | Check PDS · may apply | Lowest flat premium · flexible excess | Not std | budgetdirect.com.au |
| RACQ | None | Check PDS · varies | 85% satisfaction (CHOICE 2025) · own repairer | Not std | 13 1905 |
| RACV | None | Check PDS · varies | 2.29M VIC members · Complete Care · own repairer | Not std | 13 72 28 |
| COTA Insurance | 50+ | Not-for-profit · 50+ focused | Surpluses fund seniors advocacy | Ask | cota.com.au |
Many mainstream comprehensive car insurance policies in Australia include an additional excess for drivers above a threshold age — commonly 70, 75, or 80. This excess is applied on top of your standard excess whenever a driver in that age bracket is at the wheel, regardless of fault. A policy with a $750 standard excess and a $500 “aged driver excess” means paying $1,250 out of pocket before the insurer contributes anything to your claim. Dedicated seniors insurers (Apia, Australian Seniors) are structured to minimise this. For any mainstream policy, find the excess schedule in the PDS — usually a table near the front — and confirm exactly what applies before signing.
Licensing is managed by each state and territory individually. Requirements vary, but most require some form of medical fitness assessment from age 75. Understanding your state’s rules is important because licence status directly affects your insurance cover — driving with an expired or cancelled licence voids any claim.
| State / Territory | Medical Assessment | Practical Test | Key Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Annual from age 75 (earlier if doctor recommends) | Every 2 yrs from age 85, or opt for modified licence (local area driving) | Service NSW · service.nsw.gov.au |
| Victoria | Not mandatory by age alone — required only if doctor or VicRoads identifies a relevant condition | Not age-based; only if health professional recommends | VicRoads · vicroads.vic.gov.au |
| Queensland | Annual from age 75. Must carry medical certificate when driving — fine of $161 if stopped without it | Not age-mandatory; only if medical assessment recommends | TMR Qld · tmr.qld.gov.au |
| Western Australia | Annual from age 80 (previously from 85; check with DoT WA for current rules) | Only if doctor recommends | DoT WA · transport.wa.gov.au |
| South Australia | Annual self-assessment from age 75 — formal medical required if self-assessment raises concerns | Not age-mandatory | Service SA · sa.gov.au/topics/driving |
| ACT | Annual from age 75 | If recommended by doctor | Access Canberra · accesscanberra.act.gov.au |
| Tasmania | No mandatory age-based medical — disclose any condition that may affect driving | Not age-mandatory | Transport Tas · transport.tas.gov.au |
| NT | Vision test every 5 years for all drivers; medical only if condition affects driving | Not age-mandatory | MVR NT · transport.nt.gov.au |
If you drive with an expired or cancelled licence — including if your medical certificate has lapsed — any car insurance claim can be declined by your insurer. This applies even if the accident was not your fault and even if you didn’t know your licence was no longer valid. In Queensland, for example, failing to carry your current medical certificate when driving carries a fine, but driving after the certificate has expired means you are unlicensed — a fundamentally different and more serious position. Always keep a calendar reminder for medical certificate renewals, and notify your insurer immediately if your licence status changes for any reason.
These providers appear most consistently in expert comparisons, award data, and customer satisfaction research as strong options for Australian drivers in their 70s and beyond.
Apia began as the Australian Pensioners Insurance Agency and has served Australians aged 50 and over for more than 30 years. Because every customer is at least 50, Apia’s pricing model and claims process are built around the specific driving profile of this age group — not adapted from a general-market policy. For drivers in their 70s and beyond, this means the underwriting assumptions are more favourable and the age excess structure is less likely to produce the sharp additional excesses found in mainstream general-market policies. Apia’s comprehensive policy provides $20 million legal liability cover, agreed value or market value options, and monthly payment at no extra cost. No choice of repairer (Apia directs repairs through its own network), but the claims service is available 24/7. For drivers over 70 who want the highest certainty that the policy was designed for their age group, Apia is the most direct choice. The online discount applies to new policies purchased online. Car, home, motorcycle, caravan, and motorhome cover all available.
Australian Seniors has operated since 1998 with car insurance underwritten by Hollard, an established insurer with global backing. For drivers over 70 specifically, its Pay As You Drive policy is the standout feature — a structure that charges a base rate for when the car is parked, plus coverage purchased in kilometre blocks as you drive. If you’re using your car for medical appointments, occasional shopping, and social outings — not daily commuting — this option often delivers a notably lower annual cost than a standard comprehensive policy. Australian Seniors won the ProductReview.com.au Annual Award in the Car Insurance category for 2025 and 2026, and the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for four consecutive years through 2026. The 5% discount for state seniors card holders is also worth noting — one of the few car insurance products that explicitly acknowledges this form of concession. Comprehensive, Third Party Property Fire & Theft, and Third Party Property Damage covers all available.
Youi’s quoting process is more detailed than most insurers — it asks about exactly how and when you drive, where you park, and your specific circumstances. For drivers over 70 who drive short distances during daylight hours, park in a locked garage overnight, and have decades of claim-free experience, this personalised model often produces lower quotes than a standardised age-band approach. Youi won Finder’s 2026 National Car Insurance Provider of the Year and the WeMoney Awards for Car Insurer of the Year, Outstanding Claims Experience, and Outstanding Customer Service in 2025. Roadside assistance is included as standard with comprehensive policies at no extra charge — a practical benefit for older drivers who may be driving older vehicles or in areas where breakdowns are a genuine concern. Youi targets answering calls in around 30 seconds, which matters for older customers who prefer speaking to a person. The age excess structure should be confirmed directly at quoting — ask specifically whether an aged driver excess applies to your age.
NRMA Insurance has won the Roy Morgan Most Trusted General Insurance Brand Award every year from 2019 through 2026. It is part of Insurance Australia Group (IAG) and operates primarily in NSW and ACT. No specific senior discounts are published, but NRMA’s comprehensive policy includes choice of repairer (a feature many older drivers value when they have a trusted mechanic), agreed value cover, rental car after accident, and 24/7 claims lodgement. For drivers over 70 in NSW and ACT specifically, NRMA is the dominant and most trusted option with a claims service infrastructure that is well-established. The age excess structure varies by policy type and should be confirmed in the PDS or directly with the insurer before purchasing. Claims: 131 123 (24/7). New policies and general enquiries: 132 132.
Allianz Australia sets agreed value as the standard on comprehensive policies — a meaningful default for older drivers who want certainty about their payout in a total loss. The freedom to choose your own repairer is also included as standard. Real customer feedback published on Allianz’s website includes specific references from drivers aged 69 and 72 praising the helpfulness and care shown by staff — a reliable indicator of how the insurer typically handles older callers. Allianz also provides state-by-state guidance on senior driver licence requirements, which signals active engagement with the needs of this demographic. The age excess terms should be confirmed in the PDS before purchase — look specifically for a table of excesses that includes any age-related component. Allianz provides comprehensive, Comprehensive Essentials, and Third Party cover. Available nationwide. Claims and general enquiries: 13 2664.
RACQ is Queensland’s largest mutual organisation with approximately 1.7 million members as of 2026. In CHOICE’s March 2025 customer satisfaction survey, 85% of RACQ car insurance customers rated their experience as above average or excellent — the highest satisfaction score in that survey for car insurance. In 2025, RACQ sold 90% of its insurance arm to IAG (which owns NRMA Insurance), but continues to operate its local Brisbane-based call centre for all Queensland customer service. For over-70 Queensland drivers who are already RACQ members, adding car insurance through RACQ means a single relationship with a locally operated team that understands Queensland’s specific licence and medical certificate rules for senior drivers. RACQ policies offer agreed or market value, choice of repairer, and no excess on glass repairs. Contact: 13 1905.
RACV has operated in Victoria since 1903 and serves 2.29 million members as of 2025. Its RACV Complete Care comprehensive policy offers agreed or market value, choice of your own repairer or RACV’s network, and no excess on glass repairs. RACV publishes specific information for senior and pensioner drivers on its car insurance pages — acknowledging that older Victorians have distinct considerations around driving frequency, vehicle choice, and how claims are managed. Victoria’s relatively relaxed licence rules for older drivers (no mandatory age-based medical) mean Victorian over-70 drivers face less licence-related pressure than counterparts in NSW or Queensland. For Victorian drivers already holding RACV membership for roadside assistance, adding car insurance creates a single-provider relationship with a 120-year-old institution. Call 13 72 28 for quotes; roadside assistance is 13 11 11.
Five specific things to check before accepting any renewal, in this order. First, open the PDS and find the excess schedule — confirm whether an age excess applies to you as the primary driver, and what the exact amount is. Second, review your annual kilometre declaration — if you’re driving less than you did when you set up the policy, update it before renewing and ask for a revised quote. Third, confirm whether you are listed as using the vehicle for “pleasure” (retired, not commuting) rather than “business” or “commuting” — updating this often reduces the premium immediately. Fourth, check whether your agreed value (if you have it) still reflects the car’s actual worth to you, or if it should be adjusted. Fifth, get at least one competing quote from a provider you haven’t used before — even if you intend to stay with your current insurer, a competing quote gives you leverage to request a better renewal price. Seniors who do this at every renewal consistently pay $200–$600 less than those who auto-renew.
In NSW, Queensland, ACT, and South Australia, drivers from age 75 face annual assessment requirements — either full GP medical certificates (NSW, QLD, ACT) or annual self-assessments (SA). In Queensland, you must carry the certificate when driving; not having it means a $161 fine even if you are otherwise fit and legal. The insurance connection is direct: if your certificate lapses and you are involved in a collision, your insurer may decline the claim on the basis that you were unlicensed at the time. The same applies if a GP does not renew your certificate due to a health concern. Mark the expiry date of your medical certificate in your calendar with a reminder 4–6 weeks ahead, giving yourself time to get the GP appointment, complete any tests, and submit before the expiry. This is the single most practical risk-management step available to senior drivers in these states. If you have questions about how your state’s specific requirements interact with your policy, call your insurer directly and ask.
Almost certainly, if you’re on a standard comprehensive policy. A driver covering 5,000 km per year is being priced partly for risk they are not creating — the average standard comprehensive policy uses an annual mileage assumption of 10,000–15,000 km. Australian Seniors (13 13 43) offers a Pay As You Drive policy where you pay a base rate for parked cover plus kilometre blocks as you actually drive. For very low mileage drivers, this can meaningfully reduce the annual cost without reducing cover. If you’re not in a state where PAYD is easy to access, call your current insurer and tell them your actual annual kilometre estimate — an updated declaration alone can reduce your premium, because low mileage represents lower exposure to risk. Also ask whether the vehicle use class on your policy still shows “pleasure” and not a commuting classification from years ago. A stale use class left from working years costs money every month it goes uncorrected.
This depends on whether you could financially absorb a total loss or significant repair bill. For a car worth $5,000–$8,000, the annual comprehensive premium — often $800–$1,400 for an over-70 driver depending on location — plus your standard excess means you’d need to be involved in a major claim to get meaningful value from the comprehensive element of the policy. Third Party Property Damage cover, available from most insurers for $300–$600 per year, protects you against claims from other people whose property you damage — the most financially catastrophic risk for any driver. A car written off in that scenario costs you the car, not $500,000 in a third-party property claim. Talk to your insurer or a broker about whether downgrading to Third Party Property Damage makes sense for your specific vehicle value and financial situation. The right answer depends on your personal ability to absorb the loss — and it changes as the vehicle ages.
You have formal recourse through two channels. First: the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) at afca.org.au, or by phone at 1800 931 678 (free call, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm AEST). AFCA is the free external dispute resolution scheme that handles insurance disputes including claim decisions, policy interpretation, and treatment you believe was unfair or discriminatory. They can require the insurer to reconsider the decision and can award compensation. You must attempt to resolve the matter with your insurer first — if after 30 days (or if they have issued a final response you disagree with), AFCA accepts your complaint. Second: if you believe the claim decision or the terms of your policy involve age discrimination, contact the Australian Human Rights Commission at humanrights.gov.au or 1300 656 419. Always keep records: the date you reported the claim, who you spoke to, what was said, and any written communication you receive. These records are what AFCA uses to investigate.
From age 75 in Queensland, you must obtain an annual medical certificate from your GP and carry it whenever you drive. The certificate is valid for a maximum of 13 months from the date of the medical assessment — not 12 calendar months. If you are stopped by police without a current certificate, the fine is $161. More importantly for insurance purposes: if you are in a collision while your certificate has expired, you may be treated as driving unlicensed, which gives your insurer grounds to decline your claim. The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) manages this process — contact them at 13 23 80 or tmr.qld.gov.au if you have questions about the specific requirements for your situation. Book the GP appointment 6–8 weeks before your certificate expires to allow for any follow-up tests or referrals your doctor may request — don’t leave it to the last week, because any delay can leave you in a gap period without a current certificate.
This guide is for general informational purposes and does not constitute financial product, insurance, or legal advice. Average premium figures are from CHOICE’s January 2026 survey of 221,677 quotes. Licence requirements are sourced from state government websites current at time of research — verify requirements with your state or territory licensing authority before acting on this information, as rules can change. Always read the full Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before purchasing any insurance product. Age excess terms vary by provider and policy type — confirm these directly with the insurer before signing. Disputes: AFCA at afca.org.au or 1800 931 678 (free call).