Oregon Commercial Insurance Senior Drivers
Senior drivers can be defined in various ways. Some commercial auto insurance companies in the State of Oregon start classifying senior drivers at age 55, others at age 70. Why is this important? Some discounts begin to apply at age 55 if you have taken a drivers safety course. If you are 55 or older and have taken an approved course within the last three years, you may be eligible for a discount. This can apply to both personal auto insurance policies and some commercial insurance policies. Check with you insurance agent today to see if you qualify for the discount regardless of the type of policy you have.
Some business insurance company underwriters require that you complete a senior driver questionnaire before becoming eligible to be placed on a the auto policy. This questionnaire consists of just a few extra questions that relate to health and vision. At a certain age, say age 65, the insurance company may require you to take a physicians statement to your doctor for completion. See your Oregon commercial auto insurance agent to see if your insurance company requires the form. He or she will be happy to provide you with the form and instructions for you and your doctor on how to complete it.
Why is this form necessary? The form is necessary for the underwriter to assess any additional risk that might be associated with a driver of advanced age. The underwriter must weigh the positive variable of decades of driving experience against possible health problems or slow reaction times associated with drivers of advanced age.
Wouldn't this be considered discrimination? Yes. Insurance laws allow for insurance companies to apply "fair discrimination". That means they can classify drivers and risks by statistical variables that can be measured. Unfair discrimination includes variables that cannot be used to set rates like race or religion. However, if the company can justify statistically that a older person is more likely to get into an accident, then they are entitled to raise rates or take extra measures to determine eligibility.
Call us if you have any questions about these or other issues related to senior driver and Oregon commercial auto insurance policies. 503-693-2852 in Hillsboro, Oregon and 503-489-3143 in Gresham, Oregon.