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Best car insurance for seniors
The absolute best senior car insurance comes from Erie, while State Farm has the cheapest auto coverage for most drivers over age 60.
Updated 6 min read
The cost of car insurance often goes up after age 60, as drivers age into a higher-risk category. We found that 70-year-old drivers can pay over $100 more per year for coverage than someone just a decade younger. Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to get affordable car insurance rates as you age.
Our analysis of rate data found that the best and cheapest senior auto insurance comes from Erie, which offers low rates, exceptional customer service, and a variety of coverage options to older drivers. If Erie isn't available where you live, State Farm and USAA also have cheap auto insurance for seniors.
Which company has the best car insurance rates for seniors?
There are a few companies that typically have the best car insurance rates for seniors, and the best one for you will depend on where you live and other details that may affect your rates. USAA has the absolute lowest car insurance rates for seniors. However, USAA is only available to drivers who are veterans or otherwise associated with the military, not the general public.
If you're not a veteran, you can still find some of the best cheap car insurance for senior citizens from Erie or State Farm. The average cost of car insurance from Erie and State Farm was nearly identical at about $90 per month (Erie was three dollars cheaper per year). But State Farm is the overall cheapest insurance option for most seniors, as it sells policies in every state and the District of Columbia.
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Five companies sell senior auto insurance for less than $100 per month, on average. These companies are GEICO, Auto-Owners Insurance, and American Family. GEICO is the only one of these providers that offers insurance in every state, though.
| Rank | Insurance company | Monthly cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $81 | $969 |
| 2 | Erie | $90 | $1,077 |
| 3 | State Farm | $90 | $1,080 |
| 4 | GEICO | $92 | $1,105 |
| 5 | Auto-Owners Insurance | $96 | $1,146 |
| 6 | American Family | $109 | $1,311 |
| 7 | Nationwide | $110 | $1,317 |
| 8 | Farm Bureau | $111 | $1,331 |
| 9 | Travelers | $114 | $1,367 |
| 10 | Average for seniors | $132 | $1,583 |
| 11 | Progressive | $132 | $1,587 |
| 12 | Farmers | $153 | $1,831 |
| 13 | Allstate | $158 | $1,896 |
| 14 | Auto Club Group | $200 | $2,405 |
Table shows average rates for full-coverage auto insurance for senior drivers age 60, 65, and 70.
Best car insurance companies for seniors
Because the cost and availability of insurance varies by location, and other factors, the best senior car insurance company for some drivers may not be the best for you. Because of this, we found a few options for the best automobile insurance for seniors, depending on what you're looking for:
Best car insurance for seniors: Erie
Erie
3.9
Policygenius rating
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
Erie is the best car insurance for seniors for its low rates, range of coverage options, and highly rated customer service — though it's not available everywhere.
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Erie is our pick for the best overall car insurance for seniors in part because of its cheap rates for drivers aged 60 and older. We found that car insurance for seniors costs just $90 per month from Erie (or $1,077 per year). This gives Erie the best rates for senior auto insurance behind just USAA.
In addition to affordable rates, Erie is known for offering robust coverage. In fact, a typical policy from Erie comes with perks like accident forgiveness and diminishing deductible, along with the option to add:
New or better car replacement
Roadside assistance
Transportation expenses after a crash
Also, compared to other top car insurers Erie offers seniors some of the best customer service. Erie ranked third in J.D. Power's 2021 Claims Satisfaction Study, and receives far fewer complaints than expected from its customers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Cheapest car insurance for most seniors: State Farm
State Farm
3.8
Policygenius rating
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
Available everywhere (except Massachusetts and Rhode Island), State Farm has the cheapest rates for most seniors looking for auto coverage.
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Like Erie, the average cost of State Farm car insurance for seniors is about $90 per month (though it's slightly more expensive at $1,080 per year). However, far more seniors are likely to be able to get auto insurance from State Farm than Erie, since Erie only offers coverage in 13 states.
We also found that State Farm has the cheapest average rates for senior drivers age 65 and older. For this group of seniors, car insurance can get more expensive every year as they age. However, with State Farm, seniors' insurance rates remain low after this point, even compared to Erie.
Senior car insurance from State Farm also has a reputation for solid customer service. State Farm was ranked among the top providers on J.D. Power's 2021 Claims Satisfaction Study, and its complaints are nearly in line with the average for the insurance industry, according to the NAIC.
Best car insurance for seniors who are veterans: USAA
USAA
For veterans over 60, USAA offers the best (and cheapest) car insurance of any company.
USAA has the best insurance for seniors who are veterans. In fact, for veterans and their families, the cost of senior car insurance from USAA is cheaper than from both Erie and State Farm. For USAA car insurance coverage, seniors pay an average of $81 per month ($969 per year).
In addition to its cheap rates for seniors, auto insurance from USAA comes with the company's highly rated customer service. USAA was the most highly rated car insurance company on J.D. Power's 2021 Claims Satisfaction Study, beating out 18 other competitors.
Best and cheapest car insurance for seniors in Florida: GEICO
GEICO
4.6
Policygenius rating
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
If you live in Florida and are at least 60 years old, you could find the most affordable car insurance for seniors from GEICO.
Read our full GEICO car insurance review
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Florida is a notoriously expensive state for auto insurance. However, if you're one of many older drivers who live in Florida, you could get the cheapest car insurance for seniors from GEICO. On average, GEICO's rates for car insurance are 53% more affordable than its competitors in Florida.
In Florida, GEICO's auto insurance for seniors is even cheaper than from State Farm and USAA.
| Rank | Insurer | Monthly cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GEICO | $164 | $1,969 |
| 2 | State Farm | $187 | $2,247 |
| 3 | Travelers | $276 | $3,314 |
| 4 | Nationwide | $306 | $3,673 |
| 5 | USAA | $366 | $4,390 |
| 6 | AIG | $367 | $4,402 |
| 7 | MetLife | $368 | $4,415 |
| 8 | National General | $387 | $4,640 |
| 9 | Allstate | $408 | $4,890 |
| 10 | Mercury | $481 | $5,766 |
| 11 | Farmers | $510 | $6,122 |
Table shows average rates for full-coverage auto insurance for senior drivers age 60, 65, and 70.
GEICO's long list of auto insurance discounts mean seniors could lower their cost of coverage even more by qualifying for savings opportunities. Among the insurer's many discounts for car insurance, seniors could save if they are accident-free, drive a car with safety features, or if they served in the military.
Senior auto insurance rates by age
Compared to the youngest drivers, senior drivers pay less per year for car insurance. This is because they're viewed as more experienced on the road and less likely to file a claim.
However, while auto insurance for drivers 60 and older is much cheaper than those aged 21, costs start to go up slightly after 60. These older drivers are more likely than younger drivers to file claims for damage.
We found that 60-year-old drivers pay 1% less for car insurance than drivers just five years younger. However, a 65-year-old's car insurance will cost 3% more than a 60-year-old's. And a senior who is 70 pays 5% more than a 65-year-old — 8% more for insurance than someone aged 60.
| Age | Annual cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | $1,528 | -- |
| 60 | $1,515 | -1% |
| 65 | $1,562 | 3% |
| 70 | $1,637 | 5% |
Average rates for a full-coverage policy.
Who has the cheapest car insurance for seniors of different ages?
Depending on their exact age, seniors are more likely to get the cheapest auto insurance from a couple different companies. Leaving off USAA, which is the cheapest for veterans of every age, Erie and State Farm often have the lowest rates for senior car insurance.
| Age | Cheapest insurer | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Erie | $996 |
| 60 | Erie | $1,022 |
| 65 | State Farm | $1,064 |
| 70 | State Farm | $1,107 |
Average rates for a full-coverage policy.
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Average cost of car insurance for seniors
Across all states and the District of Columbia, we found that the average cost of car insurance for seniors is $132 per month (or $1,583 per year). Along with your driving history, credit score, your car's make and model, and your coverage levels, where you live influences what you pay for car insurance.
For this reason, average auto insurance rates vary significantly by location. The state with the cheapest auto insurance for seniors is Ohio, where drivers 60 and older pay just $79 per month for coverage. The average cost of senior auto insurance in Louisiana is $225 per month — $1,757 more per year for coverage than in Ohio.
| State | Monthly cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $104 | $1,253 |
| Alaska | $134 | $1,612 |
| Arizona | $133 | $1,596 |
| Arkansas | $123 | $1,474 |
| California | $147 | $1,764 |
| Colorado | $135 | $1,620 |
| Connecticut | $142 | $1,702 |
| Delaware | $143 | $1,713 |
| District of Columbia | $158 | $1,901 |
| Florida | $224 | $2,689 |
| Georgia | $132 | $1,580 |
| Hawaii | $100 | $1,200 |
| Idaho | $83 | $1,001 |
| Illinois | $84 | $1,008 |
| Indiana | $107 | $1,279 |
| Iowa | $93 | $1,121 |
| Kansas | $113 | $1,350 |
| Kentucky | $163 | $1,956 |
| Louisiana | $225 | $2,699 |
| Maine | $114 | $1,369 |
| Maryland | $142 | $1,704 |
| Massachusetts | $86 | $1,036 |
| Michigan | $181 | $2,176 |
| Minnesota | $105 | $1,264 |
| Mississippi | $113 | $1,358 |
| Missouri | $123 | $1,482 |
| Montana | $141 | $1,694 |
| Nebraska | $83 | $996 |
| Nevada | $99 | $1,188 |
| New Hampshire | $127 | $1,529 |
| New Jersey | $96 | $1,147 |
| New Mexico | $181 | $2,169 |
| New York | $116 | $1,391 |
| North Carolina | $169 | $2,027 |
| North Dakota | $166 | $1,987 |
| Ohio | $79 | $942 |
| Oklahoma | $147 | $1,762 |
| Oregon | $113 | $1,352 |
| Pennsylvania | $117 | $1,407 |
| Rhode Island | $155 | $1,865 |
| South Carolina | $151 | $1,816 |
| South Dakota | $115 | $1,381 |
| Tennessee | $101 | $1,208 |
| Texas | $138 | $1,654 |
| Utah | $118 | $1,417 |
| Vermont | $98 | $1,172 |
| Virginia | $85 | $1,023 |
| Washington | $131 | $1,568 |
| West Virginia | $80 | $961 |
| Wisconsin | $127 | $1,529 |
| Wyoming | $106 | $1,271 |
Table shows rates for a full-coverage insurance policy.
How to save on senior car insurance
If you're a senior driver paying too much for insurance coverage, you could lower your premiums by taking the following steps:
Sign up for a driving safety course: Seniors can get a discount on their car insurance by completing eligible driving courses, which may be offered by AAA, AARP, the National Safety Council, or even by your state. Even if you've never had an accident, these classes are an easy way to lower your insurance costs.
Check how often you actually drive: Insurance companies usually offer lower rates to drivers who use their cars infrequently. If you're no longer commuting every day and you're driving less, find out how many miles per year your car travels and report it to your insurer.
Sign up for usage-based insurance: If you have a clean driving history, consider signing up for a usage-based insurance or telematics program. Your insurance company will monitor your driving for a set period, then adjust your rates based on your safety. We have found that this can be one of the best ways to get more affordable insurance.
Search for discounts for senior drivers: Some insurance companies, like the Hartford, offer car insurance discounts specifically for senior drivers, or even drivers older than the age of 50.
In addition to these cost-saving steps, the best way to get cheap insurance quotes is by comparing rates from multiple companies in your area. This is the most effective way to make sure you get the most affordable coverage available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AARP offer car insurance to seniors?
While AARP doesn't offer its own senior car insurance, the organization does partner with the Hartford insurance company to provide coverage at a discounted cost to its members. The Hartford is known for its highly rated customer service, and its rates are in line with the average for seniors — and they may be even lower for members.
Is car insurance cheaper after you retire?
Car insurance isn't necessarily cheaper after you retire, but it may be more affordable due to your age (and experience) relative to younger drivers. You may also pay less for car insurance after you retire since you won't have to drive to work anymore.
When do seniors start paying more for auto insurance?
While older drivers tend to pay less than younger drivers for car insurance, seniors age 65 and up can pay more for car insurance. As you get older, your rates will continue to increase, so an 80- or 85-year-old driver would see even higher premiums than someone who is a decade younger.
Methodology
Policygenius found the cost of car insurance for senior drivers by analyzing rates provided by Quadrant Information Services from every ZIP code in the country. Our average rates reflect the combined mean cost of full-coverage car insurance for drivers aged 60, 65, and 70 for a full coverage policy with the following limits:
Bodily injury liability: 50/100
Property damage liability: $50,000
Uninsured/underinsured motorist: 50/100
Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Collision: $500 deductible
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Authors
Rachael Brennan
Senior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance Expert
Andrew Hurst
Senior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance Expert