The best car insurance for seniors

The best car insurance for seniors may differ depending on your driving record and where you live. Many companies recognize the value of years of driving experience and offer great prices and car insurance discounts for seniors. Some, like AARP car insurance for seniors through The Hartford, even cater to senior drivers.

Car insurance rates for seniors start to go up at around 65 and increase over the years. The average cost of car insurance for a 65-year-old is $1,565 a year. Average car insurance rates for a 75-year-old increase to $1,847 a year. 

Read on to find the best car insurance companies for senior drivers, whether your record is pristine or if you have a ticket, accident or even a DUI.

What is the best car insurance company for seniors?

There is no single best car insurance for seniors. Different insurers calculate their rates with proprietary methods, each with a different rating system. The best car insurance for seniors depends on a few factors, not the least of which is your driving record.

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

• Best for speeding tickets
• Best for bad credit
• Best for accidents
• Best for a DUI

Of course, rates vary from place to place and by the driver, so the best car insurance company for you may differ.

Best car insurance companies for seniors

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 deductible. The data is based on rates from up to six major insurers in nearly every ZIP code of the country.

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.

Best for seniors with speeding tickets: Chubb, Erie and Allstate

If you have been ticketed for speeding recently, Chubb, Erie and Allstate are among your best bets to keep your premium affordable. When we ran the numbers, Chubb increased rates by about 14%, while Erie increased rates by roughly 22% after a speeding ticket.

Among the best car insurance companies for senior citizens with speeding tickets:

Best for seniors with bad credit: Kemper, Nationwide and Chubb

If you're a senior with less than stellar credit, Kemper, Nationwide and Chubb are excellent choices. Our data shows that these three insurers were among those with the smallest premium increase for drivers with bad credit. Rates increased from 29% to 45%.

Among the best car insurance companies for seniors with bad credit:

Best for senior drivers with accidents: State Farm, American Family and Erie

State Farm was among the best when we looked at rates for seniors after an accident. An accident claim on your policy can result in a dramatic premium increase, but our analysis found that State Farm will only increase rates by about 30%. State Farm is consistently ranked as one of the best insurance companies for seniors.

Other companies that senior drivers with an accident on their record should look at are American Family and Erie.

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

Among the best car insurance companies for older drivers with an accident:

Best for senior drivers with a DUI: Farmers, American Family and Progressive

A DUI will result in a dramatic premium increase regardless of your age, but Farmers had the lowest increase of the insurers we surveyed. The company bumped rates up 58% after a DUI. American Family increased rates by 64% and Progressive hiked premiums by 73%; these were still among the lowest increases.

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

Car insurance rates for seniors

Auto insurance rates for seniors increase over time, but there are reasons for the increase. Statistics show that seniors as a group are more accident-prone than younger drivers. This is caused by age-related changes in hearing or vision, slower reflexes, changes in overall health and medications. Car insurance rates for seniors start to rise at 65 but spike after 80.

In addition, older drivers suffer graver injuries and more fatalities in car accidents than younger people. This means larger claim payments and, as a result, increased car insurance rates.

Will your insurance premiums increase just because you're older? Will the go up even if you have a clean record? That depends on your insurance company, but the answer is that they probably will.

Insurance rates are partly determined by the entire group you belong to, not just your driving record. That means the accident statistics for all seniors affect what you pay.

How much is car insurance for seniors? Insurance.com 's 2022 data shows that older drivers do pay more than middle-aged drivers as a group, but not much more, and not nearly as much as teens. Explore our car insurance calculator to see what rates apply to you.

Senior auto insurance rates by age group

To see how your age may affect your insurance costs in your 50s and beyond, let's compare a full coverage policy with comprehensive insurance, collision insurance, and liability coverage limits of 100/300/100. The average car insurance rate for a 90-year-old will be much higher than for a 50-year-old.

Auto insurance in your 50s

Car insurance for people over 50 is usually cheaper than for younger and older drivers. That's because drivers in their 50s are among the safest – this group has lots of experience but still has good health, quick reflexes and reliable hearing and vision.

The average rate for full-coverage auto insurance for a 55-year-old is $1,517.

Auto insurance in your early 60s

You're likely to pay less for car insurance than you ever have between 50 and 65. At 65, however, some insurers raise premiums. Your current insurer may not be among the best insurance companies for older drivers. Turning 65 might be a signal to shop for a better deal.

The average rate for full-coverage auto insurance for a 65-year-old is $1,565.

Auto insurance in your 70s

Does car insurance go up when you turn 70? Unfortunately, yes.

Data from the National Transportation and Safety Bureau (NTSB) and the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) show that drivers aged 70 and up experience much higher rates of intersection-related accidents and fatalities than younger drivers. More accidents mean more claims and higher rates. However, this is just the point at which accident rates begin to increase -- it isn't until drivers reach their late 70s or early 80s that their abilities degrade significantly. Some insurers recognize this and continue to offer reasonably-priced car insurance for those over 70.

The average rate for full-coverage auto insurance for a 70-year-old is $1,676.

The average rate for full-coverage auto insurance for a 75-year-old is $1,847.

Auto insurance for seniors over 80

Driving becomes increasingly hazardous for people 80 and up. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), older drivers' fatalities are 17 times higher than those for 25- to 64-year-olds. It's mostly not due to bad driving; it's because of the human body's fragility in its ninth decade of life.

Car insurance for older drivers gets increasingly costly with age, so it's critical to shop for car insurance quotes and grab every discount to which you're entitled.

The average rate for full-coverage auto insurance for an 85-year-old is $2,165.

This chart of average auto insurance rates by age for a senior driver for a liability-only policy with limits of 50/100/50 shows the increases over time:

Car insurance discounts for senior drivers & tips for saving

While older drivers will eventually see their car insurance rates increase, many states mandate that drivers over 50 be given discounts for good driving and/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 senior car insurance premium.

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

The National Institute of Health (NIH) advises that you can be safer on the road by addressing the effects of aging on your driving and being aware that your driving ability will almost certainly be impacted by changes to your body. Here are the most important tips:

• 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.
• Adjust your vehicle. Elevate your seat for adequate vision and switch to power steering, brakes and mirrors to control your car.
• 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.
• Plan your route. Intersections are especially dangerous for drivers over age 80, and there is no reason to make a risky left turn when three right turns will get you to the same place.
• 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.

Here 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, decide that it is time to give up driving or get a license with limits. Some states offer a restricted license, such as not driving at night if that is your problem area.

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.

Frequently asked questions: Car insurance for seniors