While average car insurance rates are at their lowest for drivers in their 50s and early 60s, they begin to tick upward at age 65 or 70. That’s because insurance companies view changes in vision, hearing, reflexes and cognition as risk factors for an accident.
But it’s possible to find reasonably priced coverage at any age. Look for companies that offer discounts and perks like accident forgiveness. Comparison shop at least once a year to make sure you’re getting the best possible price.
Below, we’ve picked the best car insurance companies for seniors, based on price, coverage, availability and more.
To see how we made our selections, check out our methodology.
Best for affordability: Geico
Geico Auto Insurance
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Policy highlights
Accident forgiveness after 5 years. Add-ons include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.
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Discounts
16, including multi-car, safety/security systems, bundling, new car, clean driving record, defensive driver, military, homeownership and autopay.
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Availability
Geico auto insurance is available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
Pros
- Lower average rates for most drivers
- Can easily purchase and manage policy online
- Mechanical breakdown insurance
- Policies are available nationwide
Cons
- No gap insurance
- Few branches for in-person services
- Ranks below average for customer service and claims on J.D. Power surveys
Who’s this for: Geico has below-average rates for seniors, plus discounts for retired government employees and drivers 50 and over who complete a defensive driving course.
Standout benefits: Geico’s Prime Time contract allows drivers 50 and older to get guaranteed renewal, protecting you from being dropped as you get older.
Best for help after an accident: The Hartford
AARP® Auto Insurance Program From The Hartford
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Policy highlights
Policies are exclusively available to AARP members age 50 or older. Standout benefits include new car replacement, a lifetime repair guarantee and the RecoverCare feature, which pays for services you need help with after an accident, like housekeeping or shoveling snow.
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Discounts
The Hartford offers a variety of discounts, including for paying your premium in full, for using an alternative fuel, for completing a defensive driving course and for enrolling in its TrueLane safe driving program.
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Availability
The Hartford issues car insurance in 34 states.
Pros
- Discount for using alternative fuel
- Above-average J.D. Power score for claims
- Repairs from approved auto shops come with lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Must be AARP member 50 or older
- Somewhat high volume of complaints
- Accident forgiveness can only be earned after five years
Who’s this for: offers RecoverCare, which pays up to $2,500 for services you may need if you’ve been injured in a covered accident, including transportation, housekeeping and dogwalking. Policies are available to AARP members.
Standout benefits: The Hartford’s telematics program, TrueLane, can save you up to 40% for following safe driving habits.
Best for new cars: Travelers
Travelers Auto Insurance
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Policy highlights
Affordable rates and add-ons like new car replacement coverage and accident forgiveness.
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Discounts
More than a dozen, including for safe drivers, good students, homeowners, new cars and EVs.
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Availability
Travelers offers liability car insurance in all U.S. states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Pros
- Lower rates
- Discount for hybrids/EVs
Cons
- Not available in all states
- Some discounts not available in every state
- Below-average customer satisfaction scores
Who’s this for: Travelers’ new car discount can earn you up to 3% off your premiums if your vehicle is no more than three model years old. It also offers gap coverage, which can pay off the remainder of your car loan if your new ride is totaled or stolen.
Standout benefits: Doing your part for the environment? Travelers offers up to 2% off if you have a hybrid or electric car.
Best for drivers with accidents: Progressive
Progressive Auto Insurance
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Policy highlights
Progressive offers an array of riders, including rideshare insurance and a Deductible Savings Bank that deducts $50 each policy period you go without a claim. It also offers mechanical breakdown insurance, which covers unexpected major systems failures.
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Accident forgiveness
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Availability
Progressive auto insurance is available nationwide
Pros
- Available in all 50 states
- Low rates for drivers with DUIs
- Non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available
- Offers vanishing deductible as well as accident forgiveness
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Above-average number of complaints
- Snapshot safe-driving discount program could result in rate increase
Who’s this for: Progressive is a great option for older drivers with a less-than-spotless record — it landed on our list of best car insurance for high-risk drivers.
Standout benefits: Progressive’s accident forgiveness program means your rate won’t increase for claims under $500. If you stay accident-free for five years, even a larger collision won’t raise your premiums.
Best for drivers with bad credit: Mercury
Mercury Auto Insurance
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Cost
The best way to estimate your cost is to get a personalized quote
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App available
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Policy highlights
Mercury offers affordable auto insurance and convenient online quotes and claim filing. Discounts are available for anti-theft features, bundling and for paying premiums in full.
Pros
- Affordable rates in California
- Rideshare insurance available under $1 per day
- Repairs made by an authorized garage are guaranteed
Cons
- Auto insurance only available in 11 states
- Rated below average for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power
- No gap insurance coverage
Who’s this for? Mercury Insurance is a good fit if you have a less-than-stellar credit score. In July 2024, its average rates in that category were 35% less than the industry average, according to Bankrate.
Standout benefits: With Mercury’s optional roadside assistance benefit, you can get help with jump starts, lockouts, flats, towing and gas delivery 24/7. You can even get texts for real-time status updates on your request.
Best for occasional drivers: Nationwide
Nationwide Auto Insurance
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Policy highlights
Nationwide offers On Your Side® Review, a free annual evaluation to ensure you’re fully protected and taking advantage of applicable discounts.
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Availability
Nationwide car insurance is available in all U.S. states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana and Massachusetts
Pros
- Available in 46 states and Washington, D.C.
- Lowest average premiums for full coverage
- Quotes available online
Cons
- High average premium for minimum coverage
- Lower than average scores from J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction survey
Who’s this for? Nationwide offers pay-per-mile insurance, making it ideal if you don’t drive as much as you used to.
Standout benefits: With Nationwide’s SmartMiles program, your premiums are based on a low flat rate combined with a per-mile cost. According to Nationwide, SmartMiles users who drive 500 a month pay an average of 28% less than they would with a regular policy.
Best for customer service: Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners Insurance
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Policy highlights
Auto-Owners offers affordable premiums, including below-average rates for high-risk drivers, and has a track record of first-rate customer service. Issues SR-22 certificates
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Discounts
Discounts for bundling, multi-policy, on-time payments, paperless billing, online payments, multiple cars, safety features and good students (20%). Teen monitoring program with telematics
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Add-ons
Accident forgiveness, gap insurance.
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Availability
Auto-Owners liability car insurance is available in 26 states
Pros
- Accident forgiveness is an add-on
- High customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power
- Covers modified cars and vehicles converted for the disabled
Cons
- Only available in 26 states
- Quotes must be obtained through an agent
- Claims must be filed with an agent
Who’s this for? Auto-Owners is for drivers who don’t want to be treated like a number. It’s consistently rated highly for customer service and claims satisfaction by J.D. Power and receives half the number of complaints as other providers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Standout benefits: Auto-Owners allows for a lot of customization, with add-ons like diminished value coverage, rideshare insurance and additional expense coverage. If both your home and your vehicle are damaged, the common loss deductible allows you to reduce or waive the auto deductible.
Best for military members: USAA
USAA Auto Insurance
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Policy highlights
Available to service members, veterans and their families. Add-ons include rideshare insurance, classic cars, roadside assistance, commercial auto and rental car reimbursement.
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Discounts
20% safe driver discount, 10% off for bundling auto and home/renters insurance, 10% discount when you enroll in SafePilot telematics program and up to 30% off at renewal.
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Usage-based insurance
SafePilot Miles saves low-mileage drivers almost 20%, with variable premiums based on mileage.
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Availability
USAA auto insurance is available in all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
Pros
- Cheapest insurer for liability policies
- Stellar customer satisfaction scores
- Available in all 50 states
Cons
- Limited to military families and veterans
- No physical branches
- Customer service not available 24/7
- Safe-driver discount not available in every state
How much is car insurance for seniors?
In some ways, insurance companies reward experienced drivers: The average annual premium for a 60-year-old male is $2,430, or more than 15% less than a 30-year-old.
But the tables turn when you hit 70 and premiums bump up to an average of $2,635. After that, rates steadily increase.
Why is car insurance higher for seniors?
Insurance companies believe seniors have a higher likelihood of filing a claim because older drivers, especially those over 75, are statistically more likely to be in accidents and drive older cars that are harder to find replacement parts for.
Fatal crashes increase noticeably starting with drivers 70 to 74, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They’re highest among drivers 85 and above.
But age is only one factor impacting how much you pay for insurance. A good driving record and credit history can go a long way to keeping your rates down.
How seniors can save on car insurance
There are several things you can do to keep your premiums from increasing along with the number of candles on your birthday cake.
1. Shop for a new policy
No two insurers will offer you the same rate, so it’s worth getting quotes from several providers — especially if you have good credit, a good driving record or own your home. Geico’s Prime Time contract can provide guaranteed renewal if you’re at least 50, have no drivers under 25 on your policy and no violations in the last three years.
2. Sign up for a safe driving course
Farmers, Geico, USAA, State Farm and AAA are among the insurance companies that offer discounts to drivers 55 and older if they complete a state-approved defensive-driving course. Depending on the insurer and your state, you may be able to take the class online. You can expect to spend about $30 to take the course, however.
3. Bundle your home and auto insurance
Getting homeowners insurance from the same company that issued you car insurance can lower your premiums. Allstate has one of the best bundling discounts in the industry, with savings of up to 25% a year when you bundle home and auto online.
4. Raise your deductible
When you file a claim, your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for before your insurance kicks in. Increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by up to 30%, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Upping it to $1,000 could save you 40% or more.
But if you don’t think you can pay more out of pocket or have a spotty driving record, this isn’t the strategy for you.
5. Switch to a pay-per-mile policy
If you’re driving less than you used to, you could save some money by switching from a traditional insurance policy to a pay-per-mile plan. These policies charge a low base rate per month and then a few cents for every mile you drive.
Car insurance for seniors FAQs
At what age do car insurance rates increase?
In most states, average premiums begin to increase around age 70. Hawaii and Massachusetts don’t allow age to be a factor in determining rates, although carriers in Massachusetts can consider the number of years you’ve been a licensed driver.
Why do seniors pay more for car insurance?
Older drivers are considered higher risk by insurance companies because age-related changes in vision, hearing, cognition and physical functioning can impair driving ability, according to the Centers for Disease Control, as can certain medications.
What is the cheapest car insurance for senior citizens?
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed financial decisions. Every car insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best car insurance for seniors.
Our methodology
To determine the best car insurance for seniors, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of providers and compared them based on various factors, including cost, coverage, availability and customer service.
While narrowing down the best companies, we focused on a sample annual premium from Bankrate for a 70-year-old driver with a clean driving record, good credit, and a 2020 Toyota Camry driven 12,000 miles annually with the following 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
From there, we looked at the availability of discounts for older drivers and considered customer satisfaction scores from the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power surveys on auto insurance and the claims process and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint index, as well as financial strength ratings from A.M. Best.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
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