Hartford Auto Insurance: Aarp's Best-Kept Secret?

AARP auto insurance is offered through The Hartford, catering primarily to customers aged 50 and older. The Hartford has been offering exclusive insurance options to AARP members since 1984.

The Hartford auto insurance has received mixed reviews. While some customers praise the company for its outstanding customer service and fast and easy claims process, others have complained about unexpected rate increases and higher-than-average pricing.

The Hartford offers a range of benefits, including new car replacement, accident forgiveness, and RecoverCare, which helps with household chores while the policyholder is recovering from a covered injury.

The company also provides various discounts, such as safe driver discounts, paid-in-full discounts, and discounts for AARP members, bundling home and auto insurance, and having safety features in your vehicle.

Overall, The Hartford auto insurance may be a good option for AARP members looking for comprehensive coverage and various customization options. However, it is important to compare rates and reviews from different insurance providers to find the best option for your specific needs and budget.

Discounts for AARP members

AARP members can enjoy a wide range of discounts across various categories, including health and wellness, finance, travel, entertainment, and more. Here are some highlights of the discounts available to AARP members:

Health and Wellness:

• Dental Insurance Plans: AARP members can access dental insurance plans for themselves and their families.
• Hearing Solutions: AARP members get up to 20% off hearing aids, a free hearing exam, and more through AARP Hearing Solutions.
• Vision Plans: AARP Vision Plans offer savings on prescription eyewear for members and their families, including 50% off prescription lenses with the purchase of a frame.
• Prescription Discounts: The AARP Prescription Discounts program provides a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide, offering deeper discounts for members.

Finance:

• Life Insurance: AARP offers various life insurance options, including term life insurance, permanent life insurance, and guaranteed acceptance life insurance.
• Health Savings Account: The AARP Health Savings Account offers discounted fees and tax advantages.
• Auto Insurance: The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford offers special rates and coverages for AARP members, with an average savings of $577.
• Home Insurance: AARP members can save up to 20% on homeowners insurance when they bundle their home and auto policies with The Hartford.

Travel:

• Hotels: AARP members can access discounts at various hotel chains, including Best Western, Hilton, Wyndham, and more.
• Car Rentals: AARP members can save up to 35% on base rates with car rental companies like Avis, Budget, and Payless.
• Flights and Vacation Packages: AARP offers savings on flight and vacation packages, such as $50 gift cards with flight bookings and up to $200 off round-trip tickets.
• Cruises: Discounts are available on select cruises, including up to $100 onboard credit on certain sailings.

Entertainment:

• AARP The Magazine: AARP members receive a subscription to the AARP magazine, featuring exclusive guides, entertainment, tips, and stories.
• Online Games and Puzzles: Members can access free online games and puzzles, including daily crossword puzzles and solitaire.
• Movies: AARP offers free online movie screenings through the Movies for Grownups program.
• Restaurants: AARP members can enjoy dining discounts at various restaurants, including Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Denny's.

These are just a few examples of the many discounts and benefits available to AARP members. For a full list of benefits and more details, be sure to visit the AARP website.

Coverage options

AARP auto insurance, provided through The Hartford, offers a range of coverage options to its members. The insurance program has been running since 1984 and is the only national auto and home insurance program endorsed by AARP.

AARP auto insurance provides two types of liability coverage to protect you if you are at fault in a car accident:

• Bodily injury liability coverage can help pay for the other driver's medical expenses.
• Property damage liability coverage can help cover costs if you damage someone else's property, such as their car or house.

Other coverage options include:

• Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle from a collision with another car or object.
• Comprehensive insurance, or "other than collision coverage," covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events, such as natural disasters, vandalism, or hitting an animal.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you in the event of an accident with a driver who doesn't have insurance or has insufficient insurance.
• Medical payments (MedPay) coverage covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers medical expenses, lost wages, and death benefits for you and your passengers. PIP is required in no-fault states.

Additional coverage options are available depending on your location. These include:

• New car replacement coverage: Replaces your new car with one of the same make and model without deductions for depreciation.
• RecoverCare coverage: Pays for services such as lawn maintenance, transportation, and food preparation if you are injured in an accident.
• Disappearing deductible: Your collision deductible reduces over time if you maintain a clean driving record.
• Full glass coverage: Covers headlight, mirror, and window repairs with no deductible.
• Car towing coverage: Covers towing and labor charges if your vehicle breaks down.

Customized Coverage

The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford allows you to customize your car insurance coverage to fit your needs. You can choose from a range of additional coverages to protect you and your car, including:

• Gap insurance: Covers the difference between your car's value and what you owe on it if it is totaled or stolen.
• Umbrella insurance coverage: Extends your auto policy limits when needed.
• Classic car insurance: Specialized coverage for classic and collectible cars.
• ATV insurance: Coverage for all-terrain vehicles.
• RV insurance: Protection for your recreational vehicle, motorhome, or trailer.
• Boat insurance: Customized coverage for your boat or personal watercraft.
• Golf cart insurance: Coverage designed for golf carts.
• Snowmobile insurance: Specialized protection for snowmobiles.

State Requirements

AARP auto insurance is available in most states, but not all. When considering coverage, it is important to check your state's minimum insurance requirements. While most states mandate bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, some also require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) insurance.

Bundling Options

AARP, through The Hartford, also offers homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and condo insurance. You can save up to 12% on auto insurance and up to 20% on home, condo, or renters insurance by bundling these policies.

Customer reviews

AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford is a good option for seniors. The Hartford has been offering insurance to Americans since 1810 and has provided coverage to famous clients like Babe Ruth, Abraham Lincoln, and Dwight Eisenhower. The Hartford has been protecting AARP members in Florida since 1984 and has earned a reputation for integrity and trust, as well as high customer ratings for claims services. AARP members can expect solid customer service from The Hartford. The company's offerings are tailored to senior lifestyles, and both third-party and customer reviews state that AARP policies from The Hartford provide satisfactory service and claims-processing experiences.

AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford has received mixed reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with a customer review score of 1.1 out of 5. However, only about 240 reviews have been submitted, representing a small fraction of total customers. On the other hand, AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford has received positive reviews from ConsumerAffairs, with 899 reviews and 2,560 ratings. Customers have praised the easy application process, fast and professional claims handling, and the ability to bundle auto insurance with other coverage options.

The Hartford also offers a TrueLane app that tracks driving behavior and offers discounts for safe driving. However, some customers have reported issues with the accuracy of the app, especially in areas with high traffic volume. Overall, AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford is a strong option for older drivers, offering special coverage options and below-average rates.

Pros and cons

Pros

• AARP/The Hartford has an A+ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best for financial strength.
• The company has an average of fewer customer complaints than other companies, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
• AARP/The Hartford offers a wide range of discounts, including for safe driving, having safety features in your car, and bundling home and auto insurance.
• The company offers a variety of coverage options, including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision insurance, comprehensive coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, and personal injury protection.
• AARP/The Hartford offers additional coverage options such as full glass coverage, car towing, personal umbrella insurance, gap insurance, rental car reimbursement, new car replacement, accident forgiveness, disappearing deductible, and RecoverCare.
• The company has been offering exclusive insurance options for AARP members since 1984.
• AARP/The Hartford offers outstanding customer service, with representatives available 24/7 to assist with claims.
• The company has a fast and easy claims process, receiving high ratings from customers for their claims experience.
• AARP/The Hartford offers great rates and rewards, with members saving an average of $577 on their car insurance.

Cons

• AARP/The Hartford insurance is not available in all states.
• The insurance is only available to AARP members who are 50 years or older.
• The company has mixed customer reviews, with some customers reporting issues with billing and miscommunication, as well as high prices compared to other options.
• The insurance may be more expensive than other providers, especially for young drivers on a member's policy.

Complaints and customer satisfaction

AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford has received mixed reviews from customers. While some customers have praised the company for its coverage options, discounts, and customer service, others have complained about unexpected rate increases and high prices.

On the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, The Hartford has a customer review score of 1.1 out of 5 stars, with some reviewers mentioning issues with billing, miscommunication, and high prices. However, it is important to note that there are only about 240 reviews on the BBB website, which may not be representative of all customers.

In the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, The Hartford scored 877 out of 1,000 points, just below the industry average of 878. This indicates that most customers reported having positive claims experiences.

The Hartford's mobile app, which allows policyholders to pay bills, view ID cards, report claims, and access other features, has received mixed reviews as well. It has a 2.7-star rating on Google Play and a 3.6-star rating on the App Store.

Some common complaints about The Hartford Auto Insurance include unexpected rate increases, high prices, and issues with billing and customer service. However, it is important to note that the company has a large number of customers, and the number of negative reviews may not be proportional to the total number of customers served.

In terms of customer experience, The Hartford has a slightly higher number of complaints compared to other companies of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The company's complaint index score is 1.19, which means it receives almost 0.19 times more complaints about its personal auto products than other comparable providers.

Overall, while The Hartford Auto Insurance has received some negative reviews and complaints, it is important to consider the size of its customer base and the fact that customer reviews may not be representative of all customers. The company has also received positive feedback for its coverage options, discounts, and claims handling.

Frequently asked questions