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Car insurance for seniors

Updated Mar 14, 2024
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New stages of life often come with new financial concerns and priorities. Depending on the state you live in, you may find your car insurance premiums increasing as you enter your 70s. Many carriers increase auto insurance rates for seniors based on driving risks associated with aging, but not all carriers put the same emphasis on age when calculating rates. If you're concerned about finding the right car insurance as a senior, Bankrate may be able to help. Our insurance editorial team analyzed average premiums, discount availability and coverage options for senior car insurance from dozens of carriers with the goal of helping you find the coverage you need at a reasonable price.

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Best auto insurance for seniors

Bankrate’s insurance editorial team obtained average premiums from Quadrant Information Services for dozens of auto insurance companies. However, we know that the best car insurance companies for senior citizens don't only offer low rates. We also analyzed coverage availability, discount opportunities, digital tools, financial strength ratings from AM Best and customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power. These factors all contributed to each company's assigned Bankrate Score, out of five points.

If you are looking for the best car insurance for seniors, you might start by getting quotes from these five carriers:

Car insurance company Bankrate Score Average annual full coverage premium for 70-year-olds J.D. Power score
Amica 4.6 $2,492 909/1,000
Geico 4.4 $1,850 871 /1,000
USAA* 4.2 $1,720 900/1,000
The Hartford 3.9 $2,336 877 /1,000
Allstate 3.9 $2,752 882/1,000

Amica tied with Geico in the 2024 Bankrate Awards for Best Auto Insurance Company Overall. Seniors who value customer service may be interested in Amica. The carrier also earned the top spot in J.D. Power's 2023 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and offers a long list of endorsements for drivers looking to build a more robust car insurance policy. Potential policy add-ons include free lock replacement if you lose your car keys, roadside assistance, gap insurance and rental car reimbursement.

Geico is one of our 2024 Bankrate Awards winners for Best Auto Insurance Company Overall, in part due to its low rates and long list of potential discounts. Seniors with good driving records might qualify for Geico’s Prime Time contract, which ensures automatic policy renewal for life, provided they meet the terms of the program. Other discounts that may help seniors save include membership and employee discounts, military discounts and the DriveEasy telematics program. Geico's policies for life insurance and home insurance are underwritten by third-party companies, though — something that may be a drawback for shoppers who prefer to handle all their insurance needs with a single carrier.

USAA offers some of the cheapest average premiums for seniors on our list, but coverage is only available to active-duty and retired military members and their families. USAA consistently scores highly with J.D. Power for customer satisfaction, and policyholders may be able to help their children save on a USAA policy with a family discount. Endorsement options include roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. USAA does not have local agents available for face-to-face service, which may be a drawback for drivers who prefer to work with an in-person insurance agent.

You must be an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) member in order to get an auto insurance policy through The Hartford. The Hartford’s auto insurance policies may not be the cheapest on our list, but the insurer provides exclusive senior auto insurance benefits. These include RecoverCare, which may reimburse you for the expenses of household services you can’t complete because of a covered auto accident injury. Drivers with hybrid or electric cars may also be interested in The Hartford's alternative fuel discount. However, The Hartford scored slightly below the industry average for claims satisfaction with J.D. Power, so potential policyholders may want to speak with existing customers about their experience.

Although Allstate has high average premiums for seniors, the company received a strong claims satisfaction score from J.D. Power and boasts an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best. Policyholders may save with Allstate's Deductible Rewards program, which reduces your collision deductible for every year without an accident. Safe drivers may also earn a Safe Driving Bonus for every six months without an accident. Allstate's endorsement options are limited, but it does offer classic car insurance, rideshare coverage and rental car reimbursement.

How much is auto insurance for seniors?

On average, 70-year-old drivers pay $2,494 per year for full coverage car insurance. This is lower than the national average cost of car insurance, which is $2,543 per year for full coverage. For minimum coverage, 70-year-old drivers pay an average of $775 annually, just slightly above the $740 annual national average.

However, keep in mind that car insurance rates are based on more than a dozen individual rating factors. Your rates may be higher if you have accidents or speeding tickets on your record, if you drive a luxury or sports car or if you live in an area with high instances of extreme weather or theft, among other reasons.

How seniors can save on car insurance 

If your rates have started to increase as you enter your 70s, you may be looking for ways to save on your car insurance. Fortunately, there are a few strategies you could try to potentially bring down your premium:

  • Shop around: Every insurance company has its own algorithms for calculating rates, so you may receive lower or higher quotes for the same coverage selections from different carriers. Requesting and comparing quotes from a handful of carriers may help you narrow down which one can offer you the lowest rates for your circumstances.
  • Maintain a clean driving record: Your driving record is a key metric used by car insurance companies to determine your rates. Avoiding accidents and tickets may help keep your rates down and even potentially offset age-related premium increases.
  • Evaluate your coverage selections: If you've recently retired, you might be driving substantially less than you used to. Reviewing your stated annual mileage and coverage selections may help you ensure you have the right amount of coverage in place and aren't overpaying for insurance. Speaking with a licensed insurance agent may help you pinpoint your needs and secure better rates.
  • Consider increasing your deductible: If you have enough savings to cover a higher deductible in the event of a claim, adjusting your deductible (e.g., from $500 to $1,000) may result in lower premiums for full coverage.

Car insurance discounts for seniors

Most car insurance companies offer at least a few discounts to help eligible drivers save on their premiums. Although carriers do not offer specific age-related discounts, they may offer discounts for drivers of a certain age who complete a defensive driving course or remain with the company for a specific number of years. Looking for applicable discounts when you compare quotes may help you choose the cheapest car insurance company. You might also consider reviewing your chosen carrier's discounts each year to see if you qualify for any new savings opportunities. Some common discounts you may find include:

If you insure your home and vehicle with the same insurance company, you may qualify for a sizable discount.
Newer model vehicles often come with factory-installed safety equipment such as airbags, anti-lock brakes and anti-collision technology which could qualify you for more savings.
If you have an accident-free driving history, insurers may provide you with a discount on your premium.
Some insurance companies offer affiliate discounts to members of different organizations that the company has partnered with. You could ask your insurer if your workplace, government association, private organization or even your alumni affiliation could earn you a discount on your policy.
Ask your insurance agent if they offer reduced rates for policyholders who drive less than average. Your insurance provider might offer you cheaper rates or suggest that you switch to pay-per-mile insurance.
If you’ve been continuously insured through your provider for a certain amount of time, they might reward your loyalty with a discount on your premium.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2024 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident
  • $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  • $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  • $500 collision deductible
  • $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.

Bankrate Scores

Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

  • Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
  • Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
  • Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
Written by
Jessie See
Contributor, Personal Finance

Jessie See has a year of experience writing for Bankrate, Reviews.com and other insurance domains. She has covered topics ranging from auto and homeowner’s insurance to life insurance. She has been writing professionally for over a decade with experience in a variety of different topics and industries. Prior to becoming an insurance writer, she worked as a legal assistant in the field of personal injury law and as a licensed sales producer at various insurance agencies.

Edited by Editor, Insurance
Reviewed by Director of corporate communications, Insurance Information Institute