Does Car Insurance Increase at Age 70?

Last Updated on December 9, 2022

For most drivers, car insurance rates drop with age. As you get older and more experienced, you tend to be a safer driver. That means lower insurance rates.

After a certain age, however, car insurance rates rise. After age 70, some drivers may pay higher rates for car insurance. Statistically, older drivers have slower reaction times. Some older drivers have diminishing eyesight.

Do seniors pay more for auto insurance? Does car insurance increase after age 70? Can you continue paying low car insurance rates after the age of 70? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about car insurance premiums and age.

Table of Contents:

Yes, Car Insurance Rates Increase for Senior Citizens

Does Car Insurance Increase at Age 70?Senior citizens pay higher rates for car insurance after a certain age. Some insurers start to increase rates when drivers reach their early or mid-70s. Other insurers increase rates when drivers reach their 80s or even their 90s. Some insurers never significantly increase insurance rates for older drivers at all.

As an older driver, you are riskier to insure than a younger driver. Typically, car insurance premiums drop with age as drivers become more experienced. After a certain age, however, this rule no longer applies.

It’s nothing personal: insurers use statistics to calculate risk. Then, they use risk to calculate premiums. As an older driver, you are statistically more likely to make a claim than a younger driver. You could be the world’s safest driver. Unfortunately, your insurer still charges higher rates based on your age.

Insurance Rates Drop With Age (Until Your 70s)

As a teenage driver, you are risky to insure. Drivers under the age of 25 pay the highest rates for car insurance. Statistics show younger drivers are more likely to cause an accident and make a claim than older drivers. They are less experienced.

Over the age of 25, drivers have more experience. Statistically, they’re less likely to cause an accident and make a claim than teenage drivers. They are less risky to insure, and insurers charge lower premiums. Drivers over 25 have more experience in different driving conditions.

As you continue getting older, your insurance rates continue dropping. Assuming you don’t cause an accident or make a claim, you will pay increasingly lower rates as you age. As you reach your 30s and 40s, insurance rates continue dropping. The difference isn’t as significant as the drop in your mid-20s, although it can still save drivers hundreds of dollars per year.

When drivers reach their 50s and 60s, they’re statistically the safest drivers to insure. They are less likely to make a claim. Many drivers in their 50s and 60s have decades of safe driving experience with no accidents or claims. They are an insurance company’s dream customer.

As drivers get into their 70s and older, however, statistics work against drivers. Yes, older drivers have decades of experience. Many drivers in their 70s have decades of safe driving experience with no claims or accidents. Unfortunately, it’s not all about the driving experience – it’s also about physical ability.

Car Insurance Rates Go Up After Age 70 and Spike After 80

Most insurance companies charge higher rates to drivers under age 25, then continue to offer low rates to drivers between ages 25 and 65.

Beyond age 65, however, premiums vary. Some insurers start raising rates after age 65. Some insurers continue raising rates into the 70s.

After age 65, for example, you might notice 5% to 10% higher insurance premiums per year. You’re paying higher premiums because of your slightly higher risk.

Most insurers do not significantly raise rates until after age 80, however. After age 80, rates can spike significantly. You might pay 30% to 50% higher insurance premiums into your 80s and 90s, for example.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Senior Citizens

View the table below to see how much money drivers in different age groups will pay for different levels of coverage. The table presents rates for 65, 70, and 75-year-old drivers for state minimum coverage, 50/100/50 coverage, and 100/300/100 coverage.

Please note that when you see coverage amounts listed in a three-number format, i.e., 50/100/50, know that the first number is the amount, in thousands, of bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage per person in an accident. The second number is the amount of BIL coverage for all people in an accident. The third number is the amount of property damage liability (PDL) coverage per accident. Therefore, a 50/100/50 policy offers $50,000/$100,000 in BIL coverage and $50,000 in PDL coverage.

AgeMinimum Coverage50/100/50 Coverage100/300/100 Coverage
65$555$622$1547
70$594$665$1626
75$674$758$1808
Data Source - CarInsurance.com

Most States Require Insurers to Give Discounts to Senior Citizens

Many drivers are surprised to discover new insurance discounts for senior citizens. After a certain age, drivers qualify for exclusive discounts.

Many states require insurance companies to provide discounts to senior citizens. Over 30 states (including Washington D.C.) have passed laws requiring insurers to offer mature drivers a discount for attending a driver safety course.

If you take the time to complete a defensive driving course or similar driver training course, you could qualify for a significant senior discount.

In many cases, this discount erases the ‘extra’ amount charged by your insurer to senior citizens.

Other Ways to Save on Car Insurance in your 50s, 60s, 70s, and Beyond

You may be an older driver, but that doesn’t mean higher car insurance premiums. By taking advantage of car insurance discounts, you can save on car insurance in your 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond.

Driver Improvement Course: Some senior drivers are better than others. By taking a driver improvement course, you can improve your skills, verify your safe driving habits, and prove to your insurer that you care about driving safely. Many insurers offer senior citizens a discount of 5% to 15% by taking a driver improvement course.

Bundling Discounts: If you have multiple insurance policies, you could save money on all policies by bundling them together. Bundling discounts are most common when you bundle your auto insurance with either homeowner’s insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance.

Compare Quotes: Compare quotes online today to find cheaper insurance premiums for older drivers. Some insurers like to insure older drivers because they’re more experienced. Other insurers discourage older drivers, charging higher premiums.

Final Word – Does Car Insurance Go Up at 70?

You may be an older driver – but that doesn’t mean you need to pay higher rates for car insurance. Drivers over age 70 may see premiums slightly increase. Many insurers start to slightly raise insurance premiums from age 65 onward. Insurance premiums significantly spike after age 80.

Fortunately, there are ways to save on car insurance at any age. Most states require insurers to give discounts to senior drivers who complete a driver training course, for example.

Compare car insurance quotes today to discover how to save money on car insurance in your 70s – or at any age.

James Shaffer
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.
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