The best car insurance for seniors in 2025

Best car insurance company for seniors: Travelers

Travelers came out on top of the list as the best full coverage auto insurance company for seniors. It offers low rates, has a low number of customer complaints filed with the NAIC and has the best possible AM Best rating for financial stability.

To determine the best auto insurance company for seniors, we looked at a number of factors, including annual rates for seniors, how the company performed on our annual best car insurance companies survey, the number of complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and its financial stability as assessed by credit rating agency AM Best. Each category was given a weighted score, with premiums having the highest weighting.

Here’s how each of the top eight national insurance companies fared, based on average rates for a driver aged 65-75 for a full coverage 100/300/100 insurance policy with $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles.

*USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families, and is therefore not ranked.

Best car insurance for seniors overall: Travelers

Why it stands out:

• Low average rate of $2,076 a year
• Low NAIC complaint index ratio at 0.52
• Top-rating with AM Best (A++)
• Impressive auto and home bundling discount (25%)

No. 1 on our list of the best car insurance companies nationwide, Travelers is also our top pick for senior car insurance. It provides the best combination of low rates, an excellent customer service record, and financial stability.

Best for cheap senior car insurance: Erie

Why it stands out:

• Cheapest rate of all ranked companies at $1,972 a year*

Erie has the lowest average rates for senior drivers among ranked carriers, helping it to land in the No. 2 spot for senior auto insurance. If rates are the most important thing to you and you live in an area Erie covers, it's your best bet.

*USAA has lower rates, but it only available to military members, veterans and their families.

Best regional car insurance company for seniors: Erie Insurance

Why it stands out:

• Lowest average rates of all regional carriers at $1,972 a year
• Low complaint ratio (0.89) and an A+ AM Best rating

Erie Insurance is our No. 2 pick for senior car insurance overall, and the top-rated regional carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims.. If you live in the areas Erie covers, it should be on your list.

Best car insurance for senior veterans: USAA

Why it stands out:

• Has the lowest average car insurance rates for seniors at $1,585 a year
• Provides coverage especially for military families; your children can also become members
• If ranked, USAA would have been our No. 1 pick

If you are eligible for USAA, it's a solid choice for seniors with low rates and an A+ AM Best rating. USAA consistently scores well, but isn't ranked due to eligibility limits.

Cheapest car insurance rates for seniors

If price is your biggest concern, Erie offers the best insurance rates for seniors, with an average insurance premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. of $1,972 for a 65- to 75-year-old driver. It’s followed by American Family. USAA provides cheaper rates for military members and their families.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Allstate, which had the highest premiums for seniors in our survey at $3,154 per year.

Here's how national and super-regional carriers compare on rates.

*USAA only offers coverage to military members and their families. 

Government-mandated auto insurance discounts for seniors

While older drivers will eventually see their car insurance rates increase, many states mandate that drivers over 50 be given discounts for good driving or for taking approved driving courses.

For example, if you have an AARP membership, you can enroll in the AARP Smart Driver Course. This online or in-person defensive driving class helps you refresh your driving skills and could help you get a discount on your car insurance. AARP's Smart Driver Course is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., but you should check with your insurance carrier to see if they will honor the discount.

In addition to AARP's program, senior drivers can also take state-approved defensive driving courses through AAA and The National Safety Council (NSC). Depending on your insurance company and the course you take, you could be eligible for a discount of 5% to 15% on your car insurance.

Currently, about 34 states and Washington, D.C. have such programs. Eligibility requirements and discounts vary from state to state. 

In most cases, senior drivers will be required to take a mature driver safety course. These courses are designed to refresh driving skills, update knowledge of traffic laws, and promote safe driving practices.

How to get the government-mandated auto insurance discount for seniors

Don’t expect your insurer to simply offer up the discount – you may need to ask. Follow these simple steps:

1. Ask your insurer if a government-mandated seniors discount is available in your state.
2. Find out what the eligibility requirements are and find an approved course. AAA, the National Safety Council and AARP are among the organizations that provide mature driver courses.
3. Check whether you will need to complete the course in person or online. 
4. Take the class and submit your proof of completion to your insurance company.

If your state doesn’t offer such a program, you might still qualify for other discounts offered to senior drivers, such as a low mileage discount, time of day driving discount or a good driver discount.

Best car insurance companies for seniors by driver profile

For some people, best means cheapest. The cheapest auto insurance for seniors depends on the driver, vehicle and location. However, to get an idea of what you'll pay, we provide average rates for full coverage with a $500 deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim..

Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for a 65-year-old in California, while GEICO is the cheapest company for that same driver in Florida. Find your best option below. The table shows average rates for drivers aged 60, 65, 70 and 75 in all states for a driver with a clean record and good credit.

Below, we’ve got the best auto insurance companies for seniors, no matter what’s on your record, including:

• Best for speeding tickets: Erie
• Best for bad credit: GEICO
• Best for accidents: Erie
• Best for a DUI: Travelers

Best for seniors with speeding tickets: Erie

• Best national carrier: Travelers ($3,030/year)
• Best regional carrier: Erie Insurance ($2,081/ year)

If you have a speeding ticket on your record, Erie is the best choice, while Travelers is the top national carrier. Erie has the best rates for drivers with speeding tickets, although USAA is lower if you qualify.

Below are the best car insurance companies for senior citizens with speeding tickets.

*USAA only offers coverage to military members and their families. 

Best for seniors with bad credit: GEICO

• Best national carrier: GEICO ($3,451/year)
• Best regional carrier: Erie Insurance ($3,953/ year)

Seniors with bad credit will find the lowest price for full coverage at Nationwide, but GEICO edged it out for best overall with a top AM Best score.

At Nationwide, you'll pay an average of $3,104 for coverage with bad credit, while State Farm charges significantly more at $11,265 a year.

Below are the best car insurance companies for seniors with bad credit.

*USAA only offers coverage to military members and their families. 

Best for senior drivers with accidents: Erie

• Best national carrier: Travelers ($3,148/year)
• Best regional carrier: Erie ($2,431/ year)

Erie Insurance came out on top in our ranking for senior drivers with accidents, and is the cheapest option among national carriers at $2,431 a year. Travelers is the top pick among national carriers.

Regardless of the insurer you use, ensure you get all the discounts you qualify for. Ask your agent to conduct a discount review to ensure all discounts are applied to your policy.

Here are the best car insurance companies for older drivers with an accident.

*USAA only offers coverage to military members and their families. 

Best for senior drivers with a DUI: Travelers

• Best national carrier: Travelers ($2,797/year)
• Best regional carrier: Auto-Owners ($2,914/ year)

Travelers is the best car insurance company for seniors with a DUI, with low rates of $3,757 a year and high third-party ratings. Progressive is cheaper at $3,145 a year. A DUI dramatically increases car insurance rates, but shopping around can save money.

Below are the companies with the best car insurance for seniors with a DUI.

*USAA only offers coverage to military members and their families. 

Car insurance rates for seniors

Auto insurance rates for seniors increase over time because insurers see older drivers as riskier to insure. Statistics show that seniors are more accident-prone than younger drivers. This is caused by age-related changes in hearing or vision, slower reflexes and changes in overall health. Car insurance rates for seniors start to rise at 65 but really jump after 80.

In addition, older drivers suffer graver injuries and more fatalities in car accidents than younger people. This means larger claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing. payments and, as a result, increased car insurance rates.

How much your premiums will increase will depend on your insurance company.

While Insurance.com data shows that older drivers do pay more than middle-aged drivers as a group, they don’t pay nearly as much as teens. Explore our car insurance calculator to see what rates apply to you.

Senior auto insurance rates by age

At 65, experience and industry data show that drivers are more susceptible to getting involved in accidents, and as a result, insurers charge more, and rates continue to rise.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for seniors’ insurance from age 65 to 75 for a full coverage 100/300/100 policy with a $500 collision/comprehensive deductible.

Car insurance discounts for seniors

There are plenty of discounts available to older drivers, and you should pursue all that apply to you. Below are eight specific actions you can take to reduce your premium costs:

1. Drive less. You can save with a low mileage discount.
2. Consider usage-based insurance. Usage-based or pay-as-you-drive insurance programs can save you up to 40%.
3. Take a defensive driving class. Mature driver courses offered by AARP and others, as discussed earlier, can reduce your premiums by 5% to 15%
4. Drop a driver. If someone in your household no longer drives, you can remove them from the policy.
5. Upgrade your car. The latest vehicle safety features may get you lower rates and also keep you safer on the road.
6. Keep a clean record. Good driver discounts can be up to 40%.
7. Join a club. Membership in organizations such as AARP can get you a discount.
8. Dial back coverage. If you have an older car, you can consider dropping full coverage.
9. Bundle it up. Auto and home insurance bundles can save you a lot of money.
10. Stop driving. If your insurance rates are sky-high because of your driving record, it might be time to quit. 

For more information, review our tips on being a safe driver. Drivers of any age can raise deductibles, bundle with home or renter's insurance or reduce coverage in order to save on premiums.

Safety tips for older drivers

Here are the most important tips from the National Institute of Health (NIH) to be safe on the road. 

• Maintain your health. Have your hearing, vision and general health evaluated regularly, and keep any prescription equipment such as glasses and hearing aids up-to-date. If you don't see well after dark, avoid driving at night.
• Stay physically active. Physical activity may foster quick reaction times.
• Change your vehicle. A car with the latest safety features can keep you safer on the road.
• Review medications. Understand how your medications may affect your driving ability. Avoid driving after taking any drugs with warnings about operating machinery.
• Create a healthy buffer zone. Follow at a greater distance and avoid busy parts of town and busy times of day.
• Sharpen skills. Defensive driver classes and behind-the-wheel refresher courses can sharpen your skills and lead to lower insurance rates.
• Maintain your vehicle. Regular inspections and tune-ups reduce the chance of roadside breakdowns.

State laws specific to senior drivers

Some state motor vehicle departments treat you differently once you meet their definition of "older driver." You may no longer be allowed to renew your license by phone or online. Your renewal period may be shortened, and you may be required to pass extra screenings.

Below is information from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) about the differences by state.

If you realize that you may not be the driver you once were, talk to your physician. You may come up with a plan to address your limitations and decide that it is time to give up driving or get a license with limits. Some states offer a restricted license. For example, some licenses prohibit driving at night if that is an area of concern for you. 

It may also be time to look at alternative modes of transportation, such as community-offered senior rides, Lyft or Uber. If you sell your vehicle, you could easily offset other transportation costs from the savings you receive from no longer owning and maintaining a vehicle.

– Mel Duvall contributed to this story.

Methodology

We partner with Quadrant Information Services to field average car insurance rates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

• Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
• Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
• Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
• 40-year-old driver
• Honda Accord LX
• Good credit
• A clean driving record
• 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Additional rate data is drawn based on:

• One at-fault accident
• Ages ranging from 65 to 75
• Poor credit
• One speeding ticket

Best company ratings use:

• AM Best financial stability ratings
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint index data
• Our annual survey of insurance consumers

Learn more about our data and methodology.

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