Auto Insurance Discounts for Seniors
Last Updated on December 9, 2022
Some car insurance companies in the United States provide senior discounts. As a senior driver, you may qualify for cheaper car insurance rates.
Do auto insurance discounts for senior citizens exist? Which car insurance companies offer the best senior discounts? How much money can you save with car insurance discounts for seniors? Today, we’re highlighting some of the best senior discounts available from America’s leading insurers.
How Car Insurance Premiums Change with Age
Generally, drivers pay lower car insurance rates as they get older. Young drivers are riskier to insure. They have less driving experience. They tend to engage in riskier behavior. Most drivers become less risky to insure as they get older.
However, this trend flips at a certain age. After a certain age, drivers become riskier to insure. Older drivers have worse eyesight and hearing than younger drivers, for example. They might have slower reaction times. Some have poor driving habits that become more apparent with age.
That’s why many insurers start charging higher rates to drivers in their 70s, 80s, and beyond.
Generally, car insurance rates are high for drivers in their teens and 20s. You pay low car insurance rates in your 30s, 40s, and 50s, with premiums dropping every year you maintain safe driving habits. In your 60s and 70s, you have decades of safe driving experience, making you one of the least risky drivers to insure. In your late 70s, 80s, and beyond, however, things may change. You may start paying higher prices for car insurance. Your rates might increase by 10% to 30% compared to the rates you paid in your 50s and 60s.
How Senior Citizen Car Insurance Discounts Work
At a certain age, you qualify for a senior’s discount. Some insurers give you this discount automatically after a certain age. Other insurers make you ask for it or provide additional documentation.
Most insurance companies, however, offer no specific discounts for elderly and senior drivers. Senior drivers already pay low rates for car insurance. They have decades of safe driving experience. They’re paying the lowest possible rates for car insurance already. Effectively, you’re already getting a discount for being a senior driver – even if it’s not specifically called a senior discount.
As America’s population gets older, some insurers offer discounts to senior drivers who complete a driver training course. Some states require insurers to offer this discount. If you are a senior driver facing higher insurance premiums because of your age, then you may be able to take a course to lower your premiums to their previous level. By completing this course, you’re proving you have the same driving skills as a younger, lower-risk driver. In many cases, these courses take just a few hours. Some can be completed online, and many cost under $50.
Auto Insurance Discounts for Seniors with AAA and AARP
Most insurance companies in the United States do not offer a specific car insurance discount for seniors. However, you may be able to qualify for senior car insurance discounts by joining an organization like AAA or the AARP.
AAA and the AARP offer group affinity discounts, saving you 10 to 15% on car insurance. As a member of the AARP, for example, you can access special discounted car insurance rates and other benefits. You only qualify for AARP membership if you are over 50 years of age.
Ask About Low Mileage Discounts for Senior Citizens
Most insurance companies do not offer a specific car insurance discount for senior drivers. However, most insurers offer discounts to drivers with low mileage.
The average American drives 10,000 to 12,000 miles annually, depending on your state. If you drive significantly fewer miles than that amount, you could qualify for significantly cheaper car insurance premiums.
If you recently retired, then your mileage may be surprisingly low. You might drive significantly fewer miles than the average American. You’re no longer commuting to work every day. You’re not driving at riskier busy hours – like rush hour. All of these factors can significantly lower your risk.
Some insurers offer a low mileage discount to senior drivers automatically. They trust your mileage is already low. Other insurers require you to install a driver tracking or telematics system for several months. These systems monitor driving habits, driving times, and average monthly mileage, then provide discounts based on this information.
The Hartford Auto Insurance for Senior Drivers
Most auto insurance companies in the United States do not offer a discount specifically to senior drivers. However, The Hartford specifically caters to senior drivers via its partnership with the AARP.
If you are a member of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), you can access a special senior discount through The Hartford. The Hartford auto insurance is well-rated for claims satisfaction and other services. It’s not among the cheapest car insurance in the United States. However, the senior discount for AARP members can drop premiums significantly, giving you great car insurance at a discount price.
Other Discounts for Senior Drivers
Car insurance companies may not specifically provide senior citizen discounts on car insurance. However, there are plenty of other discounts for which senior drivers can qualify, including:
Safe Driving Discounts: As a senior driver, you may have decades of safe driving experience. You might have spent the last 40 years without a speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or another significant insurance claim. If you have at least five years of claim-free or accident-free driving history, you should qualify for a safe driver discount from most insurance companies.
Driver Tracking Program Discount: If you agree to install a driver tracking system in your vehicle, you could qualify for cheaper rates. Most insurance companies use an app to track driving habits. As a senior driver, you might engage in less risky driving habits automatically. You might drive during non-rush hours, for example, or drive more slowly and carefully than younger drivers. Mobile apps monitor your braking habits, acceleration, speed, driving times, and more, then award a discount based on this information. As a safe driver, you could save up to 30% with most insurers.
Defensive Driving Course Discounts: If you agree to complete a driver training course as a senior driver, an insurer may offer a discount. Typically, insurers offer driver’s education discounts to younger and older drivers. In many cases, these courses are cheap and can be completed over a weekend. Some courses are even online and take just a few hours, giving you a steep discount on car insurance.
Drop Unnecessary Coverage: As a senior citizen, you may need less coverage than a younger driver. Maybe you’re not driving a brand-new, high-end vehicle that needs collision and comprehensive coverage. Maybe you’re okay with lower limits because your car is less valuable. Dropping collision and comprehensive coverage can cut car insurance premiums by 50%.
Bundling Discounts: Bundling multiple insurance policies together can lead to big cost savings. Many senior drivers have multiple insurance products – including home insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, and auto insurance. By bundling all policies together with one company, you may be able to save money.
Shop Around for the Best Senior Car Insurance Discounts
Ultimately, the best discounts for senior drivers are those you get by shopping around for car insurance. Many insurance companies love senior drivers. They want safe, experienced drivers in their insurance pool to balance out younger, lower-risk drivers.
Enter your ZIP code and other information into our online quote request form to receive a customized quote. As a senior driver, you could save significantly on car insurance simply because of your age.
Best Car Insurance Companies for Senior Drivers
Certain insurance companies are known for offering low rates to elderly and senior drivers. Some of the companies to request a quote from include:
| Insurance Company | Phone Number | Website |
|---|---|---|
| The Hartford (for AARP members) | 888-546-9099 | https://www.thehartford.com/aarp/car-insurance |
| Amica Insurance | 800-242-6422 | https://www.amica.com/ |
| Allstate | 877-810-2920 | https://www.allstate.com/ |
| GEICO | 800-841-2964 | https://www.geico.com/ |
| Metromile (for older drivers who drive occasionally or have low mileage) | 888-242-5204 | https://www.metromile.com/ |
| Dairyland | 800-334-0090 | https://www.dairylandinsurance.com/ |
| USAA (for older drivers who are retired from the military) | 800-292-8045 | https://www.usaa.com/ |
| Farmers | 888-327-6335 | https://www.farmers.com/ |
| Chubb (for drivers with luxury vehicles) | 800-777-2131 | https://www.chubb.com/ |
| State Farm | 800-782-8332 | https://www.statefarm.com/ |
For the lowest car insurance premiums as a senior driver, request a quote from one of these companies today. They tend to offer the lowest rates to senior drivers.
Final Word – Auto Insurance Discounts for Seniors
Most car insurance companies in the United States do not specifically offer a discount to senior drivers. However, many senior drivers qualify for powerful discounts – including low mileage discounts and safe driving discounts.
Or, you could qualify for a senior discount on car insurance by joining AAA or the AARP, which could reduce car insurance by 10 to 15%. AARP membership is open to drivers 50 and older, and AARP members qualify for special discounts with The Hartford.
Contact your insurance company to ask about senior discounts on car insurance. Or, compare quotes today to pay the cheapest car insurance as a senior driver.
