Ex-driving instructor slams Age UK for turned down car insurance...because of his dash-cams

George Williams, 90, refused car insurance for installing dashcams

If it’s images of teenage racers behind the wheel of souped-up contraptions, you wouldn’t be alone in jumping to that assumption.

It would be fair to say, therefore, that a 90-year-old former driving instructor - who installed dash-cams for added safety and reassurance - being knocked-back sounds like a truly far-fetched notion.

But that has been the reality for George Williams, who has been on the receiving end of an extraordinary decision.

George, of Euxton, Chorley, who has decades of experience teaching not only learner drivers but also HGV operators and advanced motorist courses, was refused car insurance with Age UK, an organisation that exists to help elderly citizens.

Despite the firm offering a full apology for what they say was a clear error, George has opted to take his business elsewhere.

Speaking to the Lancashire Post, the pensioner explained: “I got a leaflet from Age UK inviting me to consider their company to take out insurance.

“They took all my records – I’ve got no convictions and no accidents for the last 40 years. It dragged on and then they said have you fitted anything on the car and I said I have cameras. He went away and said we can’t insure it. They’re supposed to be concerned about people’s age.”

George, who started the Leyland School of Motoring - a firm he has been running for 45 years - said he was shocked to be turned down due to installing a feature used to help safe driving.

He added: “The idea is that if you are involved in an accident you can say look – it was their fault. It’s ridiculous.”

Many insurers, such as Axa, Swiftcover, Adrian Flux, Sure Thing! or the RAC, offer reduced insurance premiums if drivers have dash-cams fitted as footage of any collisions can significantly speed up any claims process.

The use of the technology is becoming increasingly widespread due its afford-ability and the reassurance it can provide to motorists.

Age UK has apologised for the oversight.

A spokesman told the Lancashire Post: “Mr Williams was incorrectly declined for car insurance.

“We do offer car insurance to those who use cameras or dash cam equipment. We are investigating this case thoroughly to ensure that it does not happen again.”