Best car insurance for seniors (May 2023)

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By

Andrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing Editor & Auto Insurance ExpertAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.
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Reviewed by

Kristi Sullivan, CFP®Kristi Sullivan, CFP®Certified Financial PlannerKristi Sullivan, CFP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, she was a regional consultant at Fidelity Investments for nine years.

Updated

Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.

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Best car insurance companies for seniors

We found that the best car insurance for most seniors is State Farm, which has some of the cheapest rates in the country. The Hartford is our pick for the best insurance for seniors who are also AARP members. Seniors who are members of AARP can get special discounts and a few perks (at no extra cost) from the Hartford.

State Farm Logo

Best car insurance for most seniors

  • Rating: 3.8/5 ★

  • Monthly cost: $90 per month

  • What we like: Cheap rates and national availability

hartford-logo

Best car insurance for AARP members

  • Rating: 3.8/5★

  • Monthly cost: $140 per month

  • What we like: No-cost extras and savings for AARP members

The easiest way for seniors to find the best (and cheapest) car insurance for them is by comparing rates from multiple companies. Policygenius can help you compare quotes securely — and for free.

Compare rates and shop affordable car insurance today

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Methodology: Why you can trust our picks for seniors

Policygenius found the cost of auto insurance for seniors using rate data from 130 companies. We also used J.D. Power scores from the 2021 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Our data experts analyzed rates provided by Quadrant Information Services from every ZIP code in the country for drivers ages 60, 65, and 70 years old. The average rates in this study are for full-coverage car insurance for a 2017 Toyota Camry with the following limits:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident

  • 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.

Best overall car insurance for 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.

State Farm logo

Best for most seniors

Cost of full-coverage

$90 per month

State Farm has the best car insurance rates for seniors of any major insurance company. Its national footprint makes it easy for you to contact with any questions. State Farm also gets fewer-than-average complaints.

Pros

  • Cheapest car insurance for seniors of any large company

  • Thousands of offices across the country

  • Exceptional reputation for customer service

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer gap insurance or new car replacement

State Farm is our pick for the best auto insurance for seniors overall. On average, full-coverage car insurance from State Farm costs senior drivers $90 per month. That’s $491 less per year than average for senior drivers.

In addition to cheap car insurance rates for seniors, State Farm has dependable customer service, and has received far fewer policyholder complaints over the years than some of its competitors. [1]

It’s also easy to stay in touch with State Farm’s network of nearly 20,000 agents if you have questions about your policy or need help with a claim.

Although State Farm doesn’t offer that many coverage add-ons, (gap insurance for leased or financed vehicles isn’t available), it does have some useful ways to personalize a policy. Optional coverage includes emergency roadside assistance and coverage for a replacement rental car if yours is in the shop.

Best car insurance for AARP members: The Hartford

The Hartford

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.

The Hartford logo

Best for seniors in AARP

Cost of full-coverage

$140 per month

AARP auto insurance through The Hartford allows members to access a handful of exclusive discounts and coverage perks, including new car replacement and extra expense reimbursement after an accident, for free.

Pros

  • AARP members get new car replacement coverage for free

  • Available accident forgiveness and diminishing deductible

  • Exclusive discounts just for being an AARP member

Cons

  • Costs about as much as average for seniors

The Hartford partners with AARP to provide senior car insurance exclusively for members. With the Hartford, seniors can get couple extra coverage perks for free, like:

  • New car replacement: Replaces your totaled vehicle with a new one that’s the same model and age as your previous car.

  • Assistance after an accident: The Hartford’s RecoverCare coverage gives $2,500 in coverage for extra expenses after an accident. This money can be used for food prep, pet care, home cleaning and maintenance, and transportation.

Drivers can also add more coverage and features for a price, like accident forgiveness, roadside assistance, disappearing deductible, and rental car reimbursement after an accident.

The Hartford doesn’t have the cheapest insurance rates for seniors, but it’s only $9 more expensive than average per year. Plus, you could qualify for additional discounts — like savings for paying for car insurance all at once or bundling policies.

Best cheap car insurance for seniors: MAPFRE

MAPFRE

4.1

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.

MAPFRE logo

Cheapest overall for seniors

Cost of full-coverage

$77 per month

Seniors who want the cheapest car insurance around should consider MAPFRE (if they live in the states where MAPFRE is available). MAPFRE’s discounts also mean older drivers may save even more on insurance.

Pros

  • Cheapest average rates for senior drivers

  • Discounts for paperless billing, paid-in-full, and more

  • Optional accident forgiveness and disappearing deductible

Cons

  • Does not offer insurance in every state

We found that MAPFRE has the best car insurance rates for seniors of any company. Drivers over 60 can get covered for an average of $77 per month (or $929 per year) — $642 cheaper per year than average.

Senior drivers who are on a budget and looking for the cheapest rates can also lower their car insurance rates even more if they qualify for some of MAPFRE’s available discounts. With MAPFRE, senior drivers could save by:

  • Driving fewer miles than average each year

  • Switching to paperless billing

  • Being a safe driver by avoiding accidents

  • Taking a defensive driving course

  • Signing up for MAPFRE’s MotionSmart insurance

Drivers can also add accident forgiveness, disappearing deductible, emergency roadside assistance, and rental car reimbursement to their insurance policy.

While MAPFRE is the most affordable car insurance company for seniors, it’s not available everywhere. MAPFRE offers auto insurance in 19 states:

  • Arizona

  • California

  • Connecticut

  • Idaho

  • Indiana

  • Kentucky

  • Maine

  • Massachusetts

  • New Hampshire

  • New Jersey

  • New York

  • Ohio

  • Oregon

  • Pennsylvania

  • Rhode Island

  • Tennessee

  • Washington

  • Vermont

Best car insurance for seniors who are veterans: USAA

USAA

4

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.

Best for senior veterans

Cost of full-coverage

$81 per month

Seniors who were in the armed forces are eligible for coverage from USAA, even if they’re retired. When it comes to big car insurance companies, USAA has the cheapest rates for seniors. It also has high claims satisfaction ratings from its drivers.

Pros

  • Cheapest senior car insurance of any large company

  • Coverage is available in every state and Washington, D.C.

  • Receives very positive reviews from customers for its claims process

Cons

  • Does not offer gap coverage or new car replacement

USAA has the best insurance for seniors who are military veterans. The average cost of car insurance with USAA for veterans and their families is $81 per month ($969 per year). This is $602 cheaper than the overall average — and almost as cheap as MAPFRE.

There are plenty of opportunities to save money with USAA’s discounts, like up to 10% off for bundling homeowners and auto insurance. USAA also offers safe driver and low mileage discounts.

In addition to cheap rates for seniors, USAA also boasts highly rated customer service. USAA earned the highest score on J.D. Power's 2021 Claims Satisfaction Study, beating out 18 other competitors.

Best 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.

GEICO logo

Best for seniors in Florida

Cost of full-coverage

$164 per month

We found that GEICO’s rates are thousands of dollars less than the average in the Sunshine State. Plus, drivers can save even more with GEICO’s discounts for retired federal workers, veterans, and more.

Pros

  • Best rates for seniors living in Florida

  • Tends to receive fewer driver complaints than average in Florida

  • Offers discounts for retired federal employees and veterans

Cons

  • Does not offer gap insurance or new car replacement

Florida is a notoriously expensive state for auto insurance. But if you're one of 4.5 million seniors who live in Florida, your best option for cheap car insurance is GEICO. [2] Senior drivers in Florida can get car insurance from GEICO for $164 per month, which is $2,197 cheaper per year than average in the state.

Insurer

Monthly cost

Annual cost

GEICO

$164

$1,969

State Farm

$187

$2,247

Travelers

$276

$3,314

Nationwide

$306

$3,673

UAIC

$366

$4,390

AIG

$367

$4,402

MetLife

$368

$4,415

National General

$387

$4,640

Allstate

$408

$4,890

Mercury

$481

$5,766

Farmers

$510

$6,122

Collapse table

Table shows average rates for full-coverage auto insurance for senior drivers age 60, 65, and 70 in Florida.

In addition to having the best rates for seniors living in Florida, GEICO also has a few discounts that can help seniors save even more, like lower rates for drivers who worked for the federal government or the military before retirement.

Which company has the best car insurance rates for seniors?

At an average of just $77 per month, MAPFRE has the best car insurance rates for seniors. But coverage from MAPFRE is only available in 19 states. 

Seniors who want affordable rates from a larger company — or who don’t live anywhere that MAPFRE offers coverage — can also get cheap car insurance from State Farm. It’s the cheapest company that’s available to most seniors.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 37% of veterans are 65 years or older. [3] If you’re a veteran of the armed forces, USAA is the company where you’re most likely to find cheap senior car insurance.

A bar graph showing the cost of car insurance for seniors from the cheapest companies.

We found that the difference between the cheapest and most expensive car insurance for senior citizens is more than $200 per month, which is a big gap, especially for older drivers who are living on a fixed income.

This is why it’s so important to compare quotes before you get coverage — and re-shop every time your policy is up for renewal — to find your best rates.

Company

Monthly cost

Annual cost

MAPFRE

$77

$929

USAA

$81

$969

Erie

$90

$1,077

State Farm

$90

$1,080

GEICO

$92

$1,105

Auto-Owners Insurance

$96

$1,146

COUNTRY Financial

$102

$1,227

NJ Manufacturers

$106

$1,268

American Family

$109

$1,311

Nationwide

$110

$1,317

Farm Bureau

$111

$1,331

Travelers

$114

$1,367

Shelter Insurance

$115

$1,382

Progressive

$132

$1,587

Kemper

$136

$1,634

Collapse table

Cost for a full-coverage auto insurance policy.

Senior auto insurance rates by age

While auto insurance for drivers 60 and older is much cheaper than it is for, say 21-year-olds, costs do start to go up slightly after 60. That’s because, as they age, older drivers gradually become more likely to get into accidents and file claims for damage. [4]

We found that 60-year-old drivers pay slightly less for car insurance than drivers just five years younger. But 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%

Who has the best car insurance rates for seniors of different ages?

MAPFRE has the cheapest car insurance for senior drivers, whether they’re 60, 65, or 70 years old. While we found that the cost of the cheapest companies change as a driver gets older, the same five providers remain the most affordable companies.

Cheapest car insurance for 60-year-olds

MAPFRE is the cheapest company for 60-year-old drivers. Older drivers can get car insurance from MAPFRE for $71 per month, though every company in the top five offers coverage for less than $100 per month on average.

Company

Monthly cost

Annual cost

MAPFRE

$71

$855

USAA

$78

$932

Erie

$85

$1,022

State Farm

$89

$1,068

GEICO

$90

$1,083

Cheapest car insurance for 65-year-olds

The best insurance for 65-year-old drivers is MAPFRE, which has coverage for $80 per month, on average. MAPFRE and USAA are the only companies that offer 65-year-old drivers car insurance for less than $1,000 per year.

Company

Monthly cost

Annual cost

MAPFRE

$80

$955

USAA

$81

$966

State Farm

$89

$1,064

Erie

$89

$1,071

GEICO

$90

$1,083

Cheapest car insurance for 70-year-olds

MAPFRE has the cheapest average rates for 70-year-old drivers. This age group only pays $1 more per year with MAPFRE than 65-year-olds, while other companies raise their rates by slightly more for these older drivers.

Company

Monthly cost

Annual cost

MAPFRE

$81

$966

USAA

$85

$1,021

State Farm

$92

$1,107

Erie

$95

$1,138

GEICO

$96

$1,150

Cheapest car insurance for seniors in every state

Our analysis found that USAA has the lowest average rates for senior drivers in 20 states, and GEICO is the cheapest in 11.

Senior drivers still tend to pay less for auto insurance than younger drivers. However, if you live in a state where car insurance rates are already expensive, you can find cheap rates that fit within your budget by comparing quotes from more than one company before picking a policy (and re-shopping yearly).

State

Cheapest company

Monthly cost

Alabama

USAA

$79

Alaska

GEICO

$70

Arizona

Auto-Owners Insurance

$74

Arkansas

USAA

$74

California

Wawanesa

$86

Colorado

American National

$59

Connecticut

GEICO

$64

Delaware

State Farm

$91

District of Columbia

GEICO

$87

Florida

GEICO

$104

Georgia

Auto-Owners Insurance

$77

Hawaii

GEICO

$65

Idaho

American National

$36

Illinois

Pekin

$59

Indiana

USAA

$55

Iowa

State Farm

$53

Kansas

USAA

$68

Kentucky

GEICO

$83

Louisiana

USAA

$122

Maine

GEICO

$42

Maryland

USAA

$63

Massachusetts

GEICO

$67

Michigan

USAA

$88

Minnesota

Farm Bureau

$70

Mississippi

USAA

$66

Missouri

USAA

$56

Montana

USAA

$65

Nebraska

Nationwide

$77

Nevada

GEICO

$87

New Hampshire

USAA

$54

New Jersey

GEICO

$82

New Mexico

USAA

$73

New York

Progressive

$79

North Carolina

GEICO

$65

North Dakota

USAA

$56

Ohio

USAA

$54

Oklahoma

USAA

$74

Oregon

State Farm

$66

Pennsylvania

Nationwide

$77

Rhode Island

State Farm

$79

South Carolina

American National

$53

South Dakota

Farmers Mutual of Nebraska

$79

Tennessee

State Farm

$58

Texas

Farm Bureau

$70

Utah

USAA

$71

Vermont

State Farm

$52

Virginia

USAA

$60

Washington

USAA

$85

West Virginia

USAA

$68

Wisconsin

USAA

$52

Collapse table

Average cost of full-coverage car insurance for drivers ages 60, 65, and 70 years old.

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Average cost of car insurance for seniors

We found that the average cost of car insurance for seniors is $132 per month (or $1,583 per year). But 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 an average of just $79 per month for coverage. The average cost of senior auto insurance in Louisiana is $225 per month — $1,757 more per year 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

Collapse table

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 car insurance coverage, you may be able to lower your premiums by taking the following steps:

  1. 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.

  2. 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 — you may get a discount if it’s lower than average. 

  3. 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 how you drive. This can be one of the best ways to get more affordable insurance.

  4. Search for discounts for senior drivers: Some insurance companies 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. That way you can be sure you’re finding your cheapest option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do seniors need a certain type of car insurance to drive?

No, seniors can get the same car insurance from the same companies as younger drivers. They just have to get enough insurance to meet their state’s minimum coverage requirements. If a senior driver has leased or financed their car, they also need comprehensive and collision coverage.

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 ages 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.

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References

dropdown arrow

Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

  1. National Association of Insurance Commissioners

    . "

    Complaint Index

    ." Accessed October 03, 2022.

  2. Census Bureau

    . "

    QuickFacts: Florida

    ." Accessed June 02, 2022.

  3. Department of Veterans Affairs

    . "

    Veteran Population Data

    ." Accessed September 26, 2022.

  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    . "

    Older Adult Drivers

    ." Accessed September 26, 2022.

Authors

Andrew Hurst is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. His work has also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, ValuePenguin, and Property Casualty 360.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor and auto insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our car insurance coverage. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic.com, as well as an associate writer at The Dodo.

Expert reviewer

Kristi Sullivan, CFP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, she was a regional consultant at Fidelity Investments for nine years.

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