An agreement between the insurance industry and the government which aims to make it easier for older people to get motor and travel insurance has come into force.
The age agreement, which was originally announced last month, came into force on Friday (April 6) applies if an insurer or broker is unable to offer cover to an older motorist or traveller due to their age being above any upper age limits they have.
In this situation they will automatically refer the person to an alternative provider who can meet their needs or to a dedicated signposting service.
The agreement involves the Association of British Insurers, whose members will now have to adhere to it as a condition of their membership of the body. It also involves the British Insurance Brokers' Association, all of whose members will also undertake to comply with the agreement. Non-ABI and BIBA members will follow the agreement on a voluntary basis.
Home Secretary Theresa May said the deal was a 'great example' of business and government working together to tackle discrimination
'I fully support the work the ABI and BIBA are doing to make it easier for older people to get motor and travel insurance and provide greater transparency on how decisions are made,' she said.
ABI director general Otto Thoreson added: 'The insurance industry wants to ensure that older people get the best possible insurance deal, by having as wide access to the motor and travel insurance markets as possible.
This agreement shows how the industry can work with Government to increase access to insurance, improve transparency, while preserving insurers' ability to assess and price risk fairly.'