Senior Citizens: Auto Insurance Options And Benefits

Senior citizens are often charged more for auto insurance, so it's important for older drivers to find insurance providers that offer opportunities to save on auto insurance premiums.

The best auto insurance for seniors is offered by Geico, USAA, and Esurance, due to their low premiums, strong customer service, and high ratings. Other good options include State Farm, The Hartford, and Travelers.

Senior citizens can also benefit from discounts of up to 15% for taking a mature driver course. In some states, insurance companies are legally required to give discounts to senior citizens who complete an approved course.

Discounts for senior citizens

Senior citizens can avail of various discounts on their auto insurance. While the cost of car insurance usually increases for senior citizens, they can find ways to save by comparing quotes or qualifying for defensive driver or mature driver discounts.

Defensive Driving Courses

Senior citizens can avail of discounts of up to 15% by taking a defensive driving course. In some states, insurance companies are legally required to offer a discount if the driver completes an approved course. These courses are designed to refresh driving skills, update knowledge of traffic laws, and promote safe driving practices.

Low Mileage Discounts

Senior citizens who drive fewer miles than average are likely to benefit from usage-based insurance programs, which calculate premiums according to driving habits.

Affiliation Discounts

Senior citizens may also qualify for affiliation discounts based on their membership in certain professional organizations, alumni groups, or recreational clubs.

Bundling Discounts

Senior citizens can also save by bundling their auto insurance with other insurance policies such as homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance.

Other Discounts

Other discounts that may be available to senior citizens include good driver discounts, vehicle safety discounts, and loyalty discounts.

Cheapest Auto Insurance for Senior Citizens

Geico has the lowest auto insurance rates for senior citizens. A minimum-coverage policy from Geico costs an average of $763 per year, while full-coverage insurance from Geico averages $1,463 per year.

State Farm is another good option for senior citizens, offering cheap rates, national availability, and dependable customer service.

Cheapest insurance providers

Auto insurance is more expensive for older drivers because they are more likely to be involved in accidents and make claims. However, there are several insurance providers that offer competitive rates for senior citizens.

Nationwide is the best car insurance company for seniors overall, with USAA, Travelers and Erie also excelling. Nationwide has the lowest overall auto insurance costs for senior drivers aged 65 to 80. It also offers a pay-per-mile insurance program that may be a good fit for seniors who drive less.

USAA is a good option for senior citizens who are active military members, veterans, or their immediate families. It offers low-cost car insurance and good rates for drivers with various driving record problems.

Travelers is the cheapest option for low-mileage drivers, which is helpful for seniors who are retired or don't drive much. It has the third-lowest senior car insurance rates and offers usage-based insurance that can benefit safe senior drivers.

Erie has competitive rates for senior car insurance and decent coverage offerings. It also received an A- grade from collision repair specialists for its collision repair process, the highest among the companies analysed.

Geico has cheap auto insurance for drivers with poor credit and great rates for senior drivers. It has a low level of complaints and offers accident forgiveness, non-owner policies, and SR-22 filings.

Progressive provides the cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI on their records. It also offers lower-than-average rates for senior drivers and has a good selection of coverage options.

Other insurance providers that offer competitive rates for senior citizens include Auto-Owners, State Farm, The Hartford, Mercury, and Allstate.

Best insurance for low-mileage drivers

Senior citizens are often charged more for auto insurance, so it's important to find providers that offer opportunities to save on premiums. The best auto insurance for seniors looking for low-mileage coverage includes:

• USAA: USAA offers the cheapest rates for low-mileage drivers and excellent rates for young and senior drivers. It also has a usage-based insurance program that can further lower rates for low-mileage drivers who exhibit excellent driving behaviour. However, USAA is only available to retired and active military members and their families.
• Travelers: Travelers is the cheapest option for any low-mileage driver and has the third-lowest rates for senior drivers. It offers a usage-based insurance program (IntelliDrive) and accident forgiveness. However, it does not offer SR-22s, which may be required for risky drivers.
• Nationwide: Nationwide has a pay-per-mile insurance program (SmartMiles) that may be a good fit for seniors who drive less. It also has low overall auto insurance costs for senior drivers aged 65 to 80, and a low level of complaints. However, its rates for drivers with a DUI are higher than some competitors.
• Geico: Geico has competitive rates for drivers looking for low-mileage coverage and offers a usage-based insurance program (DriveEasy) that may help lower costs. It also has a low rate of complaints. However, it does not offer new car replacement or vanishing deductible.
• Progressive: Progressive has the cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI on their record and lower-than-average rates for senior drivers. It also offers a usage-based insurance program (Snapshot) and a low level of complaints. However, your rates could increase if your driving score with Snapshot is low.
• State Farm: State Farm has competitive rates for low-mileage drivers and a usage-based insurance program (Drive Safe & Save). It also has a low number of complaints. However, it does not offer coverage options such as accident forgiveness, new car replacement or a vanishing deductible.
• Auto-Owners: Auto-Owners has a very low level of complaints and a good variety of coverage options. It also has decent costs for low-mileage drivers and offers accident forgiveness, a vanishing deductible and new car replacement. However, it does not offer a usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance program, or SR-22 insurance.

Best insurance for add-on perks

Senior citizens can benefit from add-on perks such as accident forgiveness, new car replacement, diminishing deductibles, usage-based insurance, and SR-22s.

AARP auto insurance from The Hartford includes extras that can be especially useful for seniors. For example, if policyholders are hurt in an accident, RecoverCare assists with transportation, dog walking, cleaning, and lawn mowing. The company will also help them find a repair shop, and if they use one of its 1,600+ approved shops, the repairs are guaranteed for as long as they have the vehicle. However, the cost of AARP auto insurance can increase rapidly in policyholders' 70s and 80s, so it is important to compare car insurance quotes to ensure overpaying does not occur.

Nationwide also offers beneficial add-on features for senior citizens, such as accident forgiveness, gap insurance, new car replacement, and a vanishing deductible, which may save money in the long run.

Other insurance companies that offer add-on perks include State Farm, which provides impressive array of discounts and coverage options, and USAA, which offers a wide range of discounts and coverage options, although it is only available for retired veterans, active-duty military members, and their families.

Government-mandated discounts

Government-mandated auto insurance discounts for seniors are available in 34 states and Washington, D.C. These discounts are for senior drivers who pass an approved mature driver safety course. The minimum age for a government-mandated insurance discount varies by state, ranging from 50 to 65 years old.

Senior drivers can also benefit from discounts of up to 15% for taking a mature driver course. In some states, insurance companies are legally required to give a discount to senior drivers who complete an approved course.

Senior citizens can also benefit from usage-based insurance programs, which calculate premiums according to driving habits. Retired seniors and those who drive fewer miles than average are especially likely to benefit from these programs.

Some seniors might also qualify for affiliation discounts based on their membership in certain professional organizations, alumni groups, or recreational clubs.

Frequently asked questions