How to Compare Car Insurance Rates 2024
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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

Car Insurance for Senior Citizens

Updated on:
Content was accurate at the time of publication.

Best insurance companies for senior citizens

$1,164/year
Best full coverage: American Family
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$1,884/year
Best for perks: Geico
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$1,212/year
Best for the military community: USAA
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More Options

Find the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Your Area

Based on price, ratings and policy offerings, these car insurance companies are best for seniors:

Best rates for senior citizens: American Family

american family logo

  • Average rate: $97 a month for 65-year-olds
  • J.D. Power overall satisfaction score: 828 out of 1,000
  • Financial strength: Rated A by A.M. Best

American Family checks the boxes when it comes to price, customer service ratings and policy offerings. It also offers pay-per-mile car insurance, which can greatly reduce your rates if you only drive occasionally. Unfortunately, American Family is only available in 19 states.

Best large company for seniors: State Farm

  • Average rate: $115 a month for 65-year-olds
  • J.D. Power overall satisfaction score: 833 out of 1,000
  • Financial strength: Rated A++ by A.M. Best

State Farm’s combination of low rates with quality customer service has helped make it the nation’s largest auto insurer. Bundling auto insurance with a home or renters policy gets you a better deal on State Farm’s already low rates. Seniors can score another discount by completing an approved defensive driving class.

Best car insurance package for seniors: The Hartford/AARP

aarp logo

  • Average rate: $153 a month for 65-year-olds
  • J.D. Power overall satisfaction score: 829 out of 1,000
  • Financial strength: Rated A+ by A.M. Best

The discounts The Hartford offers to AARP members brings its rates down to a competitive level. The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford offers a package of useful add-ons, including accident forgiveness and roadside assistance, plus a convenient online shopping platform.

Best perks for seniors: Geico

geico logo

  • Average rate: $157 a month for 65-year-olds
  • J.D. Power overall satisfaction score: 818 out of 1,000
  • Financial strength: Rated A++ by A.M. Best

Geico’s Prime Time contract, available in about 30 states, ensures you’ll be able to renew your policy for as long as you need. Other companies are not always as accommodating, particularly if you have multiple claims within a few years of each other. Geico also offers discounts to seniors who complete a defensive driving class and retirees from the federal government or military.

Best for seniors in the military community: USAA

usaa logo

  • Average rate: $101 a month for 65-year-olds
  • J.D. Power overall satisfaction rating: 876
  • Financial strength: Rated A++ by A.M. Best
  • Only available to current and former members of the military and their families

USAA has the highest rating among all auto insurers for overall customer satisfaction from J.D. Power. Along with competitive rates on standard car insurance, USAA also offers pay-as-you-drive insurance in 15 states. This latter program lets you save more if you only drive now and then.

Compare car insurance quotes from several companies  Find Insurers

American Family, Auto-Owners and State Farm have the cheapest car insurance rates for senior citizens.

Cheapest car insurance for 65-year-olds

American Family has the cheapest car insurance for 65-year-olds. Its rate of $97 a month for full coverage makes it a slightly cheaper option than USAA, $101 a month, and Auto-Owners, $104 a month.

CompanyMonthly rate
American Family$97
USAA*$101
Auto-Owners$104
State Farm$115
Westfield$117
Erie$140
Progressive$141
The Hartford$153

Full-coverage rates are for a 65-year-old male with good credit and a clean driving record. Your rates may vary. *Only available to the military community.

Cheapest auto insurance for 75-year-olds

American Family and Auto-Owners have the cheapest auto insurance for 75-year-olds. American Family charges 75-year-olds an average of $108 a month for full coverage, while Auto-Owners’ rates average $117 per month.

CompanyMonthly rate
American Family$108
Auto-Owners$117
USAA*$123
State Farm$131
Westfield$139
The Hartford$161
Erie$173
Progressive$190

Full-coverage rates are for a 75-year-old male with good credit and a clean driving record. Your rates may vary. *Only available to the military community.

Cheapest car insurance for 85-year-olds

American Family also has the cheapest car insurance for 85-year-olds, charging $129 a month for full coverage. The next-best rates are from State Farm, $156 a month, and Auto-Owners, $159 a month.

CompanyMonthly rate
American Family$129
State Farm$156
Auto-Owners$159
USAA*$171
Westfield$171
The Hartford$200
CSAA$200
Progressive$209

Full-coverage rates are for an 85-year-old male with good credit and a clean driving record. Your rates may vary. *Only available to the military community.

The average cost of car insurance for senior citizens increases from $148 a month at age 65 to $218 a month for 85-year-olds. That’s a 48% increase over 20 years.

Senior citizens have slightly higher crash risks than middle-aged drivers. This is the main reason why your car insurance rates may start inching up in your late 60s.

On average, a 65-year-old pays 10% less for auto insurance than a 30-year-old. However, 75-year-olds pay 9% more than 30-year-olds and 21% more than 65-year-olds.

Driver ageMonthly rate
30$164
65$148
75$179
85$218

Rates are for male drivers with a clean driving record and good credit. Your rates may vary.

Since your car insurance rates are likely to rise in your senior years, it’s important to take advantage of any discounts that may save you money.

Defensive driving courses

Many car insurance companies offer a discount to seniors who complete an approved defensive driving course.

The courses typically run between a half-day and full day, and some are available online. Just make sure your insurance company approves of the class you want to take before you enroll.

Safe driver programs

Most large car insurance companies offer a generous discount to drivers of any age just for signing up for their app-based safe driver programs.

Once the app is on your phone, it automatically monitors and rates your driving, whether you open the app or not. Avoiding unsafe behaviors like speeding, hard-braking and distracted driving qualifies you for more discounts when you renew.

Bundling multiple policies

Most car insurance companies offer a sizeable multipolicy discount for bundling, or buying more than one policy from them. If you don’t already bundle your car insurance with a home or renters policy, it’s a great time to start.

Get cheap car insurance for seniors  Find Insurers

Seniors can save on car insurance by shopping around for the best deal and, when appropriate, switching to mileage-based insurance and/or dropping full coverage.

Why shop around for car insurance?

Your age is one of several factors insurance companies evaluate to determine your auto insurance rate. The others include:

  • Your driving record and insurance history
  • Your credit history, except in states that ban the practice
  • Your vehicle
  • Any discounts you may be eligible to receive

Since car insurance companies weigh these factors differently, you may qualify for a much lower rate with one than you do with others. Comparing quotes from multiple companies every few years is a good way to make sure you’re not overpaying for car insurance.

How does mileage-based car insurance work?

With mileage-based insurance, your car insurance rate is based on the number of miles you drive during a policy period. The less you drive, the less you pay for insurance.

These pay-per-mile plans are often best for those who only drive a few thousand miles a year, including those who work from home and retirees.

Allstate, American Family, Nationwide and USAA are among the large companies that offer mileage-based car insurance. Metromile offers pay-per-mile auto insurance in eight states.

How much can I save by dropping full coverage?

Dropping full coverage reduces the average price of car insurance for a 65-year-old from $148 a month to $74 a month, a 50% savings.

All you have to do to drop full coverage is remove the collision and comprehensive (comp) coverages from your policy.

Collision and comp combine to cover your car for theft or damage from most causes, up to your car’s market value. Neither is required by law, but both typically are required for a car loan or lease.

If the value of your car, after depreciation, has dwindled down to a few thousand dollars or less, the potential benefits of full coverage may no longer be worth the price.

American Family has the cheapest car insurance for seniors. Its full-coverage rates average $97 a month for 65-year-olds, but it is only available in 19 states. State Farm is the cheapest among more widely available large companies.

No. You are likely to see your insurance rates increase after you turn 65. On average, 75-year-olds pay 21% more for car insurance than 65-year-olds.

The Hartford offers a discount on car insurance to AARP members who meet its qualification guidelines.

Allstate, American Family, Nationwide and USAA have the best car insurance for seniors who don’t drive much. All four offer pay-per-mile insurance, which can save you money if you only drive occasionally. Metromile also offers pay-per-mile insurance, but it’s only available in eight states.

Methodology

LendingTree obtains insurance rate data from public filings reported to Quadrant Information Services.

Rates shown in this article are based on an analysis of full-coverage car insurance quotes for sample drives in California, Minnesota, New York, Ohio and Texas.

Our sample driver is a male with a clean driving record, good credit and a 2015 Honda Civic EX. Full coverage includes the following limits and deductibles:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $25,000
  • Collision: $500 deductible
  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible
  • Uninsured motorist (Minnesota and New York only): $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
  • Personal injury protection (Minnesota and New York only): Minimum required limit

Rates are shown for comparative purposes only. Yours may vary.