Best Car Insurance Companies for Seniors

Is Car Insurance More Expensive for Seniors?

Seniors tend to spend the least amount of time on the road, but the risk of driving incidents remains. Drivers between the ages of 50 and 59 tend to pay the lowest average car insurance premiums of other age groups. But once you turn 70, expect your rates to increase slightly as your risk of being in an accident also increases. 

There are several reasons for this. The majority of driving occurs on city roads, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The chance of an accident is higher in urban areas, with more traffic, congestion and busy multi-lane intersections. The CDC notes that you’re also more likely to get hurt in an accident as you get older, and cognitive or vision decline may make driving more difficult.

Insurance companies use many factors to determine how much you pay for car insurance. These factors, like your age, driving history and claims record, determine your risk of filing a claim in the future. The more chance you have of getting into an accident, the more you’ll pay for auto insurance.

Providers That Offer a Senior Citizen Car Insurance Discount

Adding discounts to your car insurance policy is a great way to get cheaper car insurance rates. Most states require insurers to offer seniors a mature driver discount for completing a state-approved driver safety course. You can find course information through organizations like AARP, AAA, and the National Safety Council.

But only a few auto insurance companies offer senior-specific discounts, like The Hartford, Geico, and Farmers. AARP also offers cheap car insurance for seniors through its auto insurance program, The Hartford. AARP membership also comes with other perks, like 20% off Allstate roadside assistance coverage, even if you don’t have Allstate car insurance. There are also health benefits that can help you save on vision, dental and health insurance costs, plus family caregiving, travel and entertainment. 

1. In addition to flexible payment options, Direct Auto Insurance offers a 5% senior citizen discount that you can combine to save up to 25% on your auto insurance policy.
2. The Hartford is available to AARP members who are at least 50 years old. It provides discounted rates and benefits like help with household tasks if you can’t complete them because of injuries from a car accident. 
3. Farmers offers a mature driver discount for drivers over the age of 55 who have completed a safe driver course in the past three years.
4. Seniors over 50 with no accidents or tickets in the last three years may be eligible for Geico’s Prime Time contract, which guarantees policy renewal in select states. Geico also offers affiliation discounts for retired federal and military employees and members of alumni and professional organizations.

You can stack senior discounts with other discounts you might qualify for, such as a multi-car discount or multi-policy discount for insuring at least two cars and another policy with the same company. And if you have a clean driving record, most insurers offer a good driving discount and you might be eligible for accident forgiveness, which will help keep your rates from skyrocketing if you cause an accident.

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Top Car Insurance Companies for Seniors

There is a myriad of companies selling car insurance, and even more that act as brokers for car insurance providers. We’ve sorted through the data for you, and our in-depth car insurance analysis includes offerings and customer feedback, including options for drivers without perfect records. We narrowed the list to our top insurance companies based on criteria we set by extensive research of items most important to consumers.

Dairyland Insurance Review

Great affordable options

Dairyland offers auto insurance nationwide, along with policies for motorcycles, RVs, off-road vehicles, and coverage if you’re traveling into Mexico. It also specializes in high-risk auto insurance, so Dairyland might be a good choice if you have a DUI or need an FR-44 or SR-22 certificate. Quotes are available online, over the phone or through independent agents.

• Discounts: Advance quote, multi-car, payment frequency, transfer, anti-theft, homeowners, defensive driver course
• Availability: 50 states plus Washington, D.C.

Direct Auto Insurance Review

Great personalized quotes

A member of the Allstate Family, Direct Auto provides affordable car insurance, even if you have a spotty driving record. It offers a long list of discounts — including a 5% senior citizen discount — that you can stack together to save up to 25% on your auto insurance policy. There are multiple ways to pay, and you can choose your due date to ensure you never miss a payment. Quotes are available online, by phone or through a local agent.

• Discounts: 15 discounts available, including a 5% discount for drivers 55 and older
• Availability: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

National General Auto Insurance Review

Great for high-risk drivers

National General, an Allstate company, may be a good fit for seniors with limited health insurance coverage. It offers optional coverages you don’t often find, like accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage and emergency expense allowance if you’re stranded due to a covered claim. In some states, you can purchase an accident protection plan bundle that includes AD&D, hospital and ambulance expense coverage. 

• Discounts: 10 discounts available 
• Availability: All states and Washington D.C., except Connecticut

SelectQuote Car Insurance Review

Great comparison shopping

Whether you own a home or rent, it’s not always easy to know if you’re getting the best auto and home insurance for seniors that’s available. SelectQuote offers free auto insurance and bundled home/renters and auto quotes online to help ensure you get the best coverage to fit your budget. However, you’ll still have to speak with a licensed sales agent to provide more details and get rates to compare.

• Discounts: Varies by insurance company
• Availability: Varies by insurance company

AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford Review

Great for safe drivers

The AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford offers auto insurance for seniors 50 and older. AARP members can qualify for exclusive benefits such as accident forgiveness, disappearing deductibles, and deductible waivers. Each policy comes standard with full replacement coverage on newer vehicles and RecoverCare Advantage, which reimburses you up to $2,500 for services while you’re recuperating from accident injuries, like cleaning, shopping, and cooking.

• Discounts: 10 discounts available, including reimbursements for expenses incurred during accident recovery
• Availability: 50 states plus Washington D.C.

Policygenius Car Insurance Review

Great one-stop shopping

Policygenius partners with a long list of top car insurance companies like State Farm, USAA, Travelers, NJM, and Geico to offer one-stop shopping for auto, home, life, disability, and other insurance products. Although you can get side-by-side comparisons for some insurance products, you may get routed directly to the insurer to get a car insurance quote.

• Discounts: Varies by company
• Availability: Varies by company

Farmers Auto Insurance Review

Great customizable policies

If you’re looking to customize your car insurance, consider Farmers. It offers multiple optional coverages like original equipment manufacturer parts (OEM), full glass, customized equipment, rideshare, and spare parts coverage. It also has over 20 discounts, more than many of the top auto insurers. You can get a car insurance quote online, over the phone, or through a local Farmers agent.

• Discounts: 23 discounts available, including savings for safe drivers 55 and older
• Availability: All states except Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia

The General Auto Insurance Review

Great high-risk coverage options

If you’re on a serious budget, it can be hard to get low-income car insurance that you can actually afford. The General offers affordable auto insurance rates, whether you have a spotty driving record, poor credit, or a recent insurance lapse. It only takes two minutes to get a car insurance quote from The General to learn how much The General could save you on state minimum or full coverage auto insurance. 

• Discounts: Multi-car, homeowner, prior insurance, good student, passive restraint, defensive driver, pay in full, safe driver, and double deductible discount.
• Availability: 46 states and Washington, D.C.

Liberty Mutual Review

Great out-of-pocket options

Seniors have multiple ways to save with Liberty Mutual, including an early shopper discount if you get a car insurance quote before your current auto policy expires. If you have a new car, consider getting a quote from Liberty Mutual online, over the phone, or through a local agent to find out if better car replacement and gap insurance is right for you. Liberty Mutual also offers a deductible fund, which helps lower your deductible over time so you pay less out of pocket if you have to file a claim.

• Discounts: 13 discounts available 
• Availability: 50 states and Washington D.C.

Progressive Review

Great service record

Progressive offers tools to make buying auto insurance less complicated. You can use the Name Your Price® Tool to find out what coverage options are within your budget and compare car insurance quotes from different auto insurers with AutoQuote Explorer® to ensure you get the cheapest rate for the best coverage. Progressive also has customizable policies with options like rideshare, pet injury, custom parts and equipment, vehicle protection, and trip interruption coverages.

• Discounts: 14 discounts available 
• Availability: 50 states and Washington D.C.

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Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

Car insurance rates increase as you age. According to our research, drivers aged between 70 and 70 years old will pay an average of $1,800 to $2,100 per year for auto insurance coverage. 

Drivers with a clean record could find full coverage for as low as $1,400 per year, but the rates will rise substantially if you have a speeding ticket, accident, or DWI/DUI on record — as much as $2,800 or more.  

How to Get the Best Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

If you’re like most American seniors, every penny counts. You don’t want to sacrifice car insurance coverage, but you want to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible. 

Here are my tips for getting the best car insurance for seniors over 70 and younger:

• Keep a clean driving record: If you drive responsibly by avoiding accidents and tickets, you can save on your auto insurance premiums and be eligible for safe driving discounts and accident forgiveness, which can come in handy if you happen to cause an accident in the future.
• Lower your mileage: Some car insurers factor mileage into your premium. Driving fewer miles can help keep your rates low since it reduces your chances of getting into a car accident.
• Consider usage-based programs: Many car insurance companies offer telematics programs that monitor your driving habits. You could save on your auto insurance if you’re a safe driver. Just make sure you read the fine print. Some companies will raise your rates for high-risk driving behaviors, like braking too hard, accelerating too fast, driving late at night, or speeding over the posted limit.
• Get quotes before you car shop: If you’re in the market for a new or used car, it’s worth getting auto insurance quotes to compare rates before you buy the vehicle. Car insurance premiums vary widely by vehicle make and model, and getting quotes beforehand can help you stay on budget and narrow your vehicle choices.
• Compare car insurance quotes at each renewal: Auto insurance policies renew every six months or annually. When you get your renewal — typically a month or two before your policy renews — compare your renewal rates with quotes from different insurers to see if your current provider is still the best price for your coverage needs.

Factors that Affect Car Insurance Rates

Again, many factors affect car insurance rates. Although criteria can vary by state and car insurance company, most providers use:

• Age (except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts)
• Years of driving experience
• Claims and driving history
• Credit score (restricted or not a factor in California, Hawaii, Michigan, and Massachusetts)
• ZIP code
• Gender
• Marital status
• Occupation
• Vehicle type
• Coverage options, levels, and deductibles
• Annual mileage
• Vehicle ownership status

Senior Car Insurance for High-Risk Drivers

The best car insurance for seniors who are high-risk drivers may come from non-standard auto insurance companies like Dairyland, The General, Direct Auto, and National General. Geico is another option to consider.

If you’re categorized as a high-risk driver by your car insurance company, you’ll likely pay a higher premium than an average driver. High-risk drivers often have multiple tickets, accidents, or DUI/DWI convictions within the last three to five years.

Comparing rates from multiple providers, working on your credit score, and bundling your insurance policies could help bring down the premium. Other companies will lower the rate after you’ve taken a defensive driving course.

Types of Car Insurance

There are many types of car insurance coverage available, falling into five categories: liability, collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. It’s important to understand these coverages and how most car insurance policies combine them. Deductibles and coverage limits can be different when comparing policies from various companies.

• Liability insurance pays for repairs and costs of damages done to the property or body of others. For example, liability insurance pays for the damage if you run over someone’s mailbox. Liability insurance does not cover any losses to your vehicle, property, or your injuries. Most states require a minimum liability coverage to operate a motor vehicle legally, but the minimums vary from state to state. It is important to note that setting a high-dollar coverage amount on liability insurance to pay for medical bills may not be to your advantage. Medical insurers may use a process called subrogation to take all or part of a car insurance payout to recover the costs they paid on your medical bills.

• Collision coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle or replacement (within value limits) of your car. If you finance a vehicle, lenders require you to carry enough collision coverage to pay off the loan if the car is totaled. If you are driving an older, low-value car, consider omitting collision coverage or using a very high deductible and only using the insurance if an accident destroys the car. Remember that your collision coverage only pays if you are at fault, you have a single-vehicle accident, or if the at-fault individual’s insurance company does not pay all expenses. Your insurance company will often help you in dealing with the at-fault person’s insurance company so that your insurance does not pay out for damages and expenses.
• Comprehensive coverage covers vehicle damage or loss caused by an event other than a collision. Hail, a tree falling on the vehicle, a vehicle fire, hitting a deer or a stolen vehicle all fall under comprehensive coverage. As with collision coverage, comprehensive coverage will be required if you have an auto loan. Collision and comprehensive coverages are often combined into one category.
• Personal injury protection coverage (PIP) is not as widely available as other coverage but covers injuries to the insured driver and any passengers in an accident. In states where PIP is not available, liability coverage usually covers the medical injuries of your passengers. However, be clear on what coverage would apply to what persons in the case of an accident before you buy a policy. As with liability coverage, subrogation rights by your health insurance company may negate your medical costs benefit from this coverage.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection is protection used if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance adequate to cover your expenses or has no insurance at all. Some insurance companies will cover these damages under the collision portion of the policy, so verify how your insurer handles these situations before buying uninsured/underinsured coverage.

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Senior Car Insurance FAQs

What car insurance company has the cheapest rates?

The rate you get depends on the discounts you qualify for. Always get quotes from several companies when shopping for car insurance to see which company best fits your needs.

How do I file a car insurance claim?

The first step to filing a claim is to fill out a claim form online with your car insurance company or call their claims hotline. When calling the claims hotline, the agent will guide you through the process.

Do I need a local agent?

Not necessarily. In this digital age, many consumers are finding insurance company service via phone and internet to be more convenient with excellent service.

How do I know how much coverage I need?

The amount of coverage you need will vary depending on your financial situation, whether you have a car loan, and whether your state requires liability insurance.

What coverage limits do I need?

You have to carry the minimum car insurance coverage limits according to your state. Once you’ve done that, you can increase your coverage limit whenever you want.

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Concluding Thoughts: Car Insurance Companies

Bottom Line: Review all car insurance companies carefully to find the right fit for you before buying.

When shopping for car insurance, it is vital that consumers find the insurance company that fits their needs. One consumer may only need liability insurance, while another may need the lowest out-of-pocket cost after an accident. When shopping for car insurance, consumers should ask about available discounts, payment schedule options, claims resolution times, and company policies on adding or changing coverage. Our top choices for car insurance providers are available in most U.S. markets and offer a wide range of policies and service levels.

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	Expert Review	Company
1	Great Affordable Options	Dairyland Insurance
2	Great Personalized Quotes	Direct Auto Insurance
3	Great For High-Risk Drivers	National General Auto Insurance
4	Great Comparison Shopping	SelectQuote
5	Great for Safe Drivers	The Hartford AARP
6	Great One-Stop Shopping	Policygenius
7	Great Customizable Policies	Farmers
8	Great High-Risk Coverage Options	The General Insurance
9	Great Out of Pocket Cost Options	Liberty Mutual
10	Great Service	Progressive