I found your article ‘Held back by ageism’ (April 2016) an interesting and apposite article. There are some advantages in getting older, free prescriptions, discounted theatre tickets, bus passes just to mention a few.
However the large companies do not like older people. I completed an online application form to renew our travel insurance and was astonished to find that our premium had gone up by 77%. As Mr Osborne tells us that the rate of inflation is less than 2%, I queried how the company could justify this increase. Having been with the same company for 2 years with no claims, I expect a far better offer. They replied that as I was now over 70, that was the premium. It hardly seems fair does it?
Incidentally, Saga and Age UK claim to be championing the elderly, but in my experience their insurance quotes for house, car and health insurance are 3-4 times higher than anyone else and their energy unit prices are not at all competitive. Hollow promises seemingly.
David Mitchell, Lincolnshire by email
