The Best Car Insurance Providers for Seniors in 2024
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August 7, 2024
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While car insurance is generally affordable for people in their 50s, premiums tend to skyrocket as we age, especially for drivers ages 75 and older. Luckily, some providers offer full coverage for seniors that’s within their monthly budgets. Here, you’ll find auto insurance providers with policies to suit almost any lifestyle. Many of them even have special discounts and deals for older adults. These companies have had the most success with clients I’ve worked with, so let’s get started!
FYI: Another way to save is by bundling home auto and home insurance. To find the best deals, read our guide to the best home and auto insurance for seniors.
The Best Car Insurance for Seniors
- Allstate : Best Home and Auto Bundles
- Metromile : Best for Low-Mileage Drivers
- USAA : Best for Veterans
- State Farm : Best Customer Service
- The Hartford/AARP : Best for AARP Members
How I Chose the Best Car Insurance for Seniors
To find the best auto insurance providers for seniors, I looked for the following:
- Low premiums: All of the plans listed here cost under $150 per month for full coverage auto insurance, even for people over the age of 80.
- Policy types: All of the providers here offer liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance, along with other standard coverages like uninsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, and personal injury protection (PIP.) I also looked for add-ons like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and gap insurance, which is often a requirement for leased vehicles.
- Senior discounts: Every provider on this list offers discounts that can apply to senior drivers, although they don’t all offer discounts exclusively for seniors.
- Availability: While some insurance providers offer regional coverage, I prioritized providers with nationwide coverage.
Providers Compared
|
Allstate
 |
Metromile
 |
USAA
 |
State Farm
 |
The Hartford/AARP
 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating out of 5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Best for | Home and auto bundles |
Low-mileage drivers |
Veterans |
Customer service |
AARP members |
| Average annual cost of car insurance for seniors | $2,937 |
n/a |
$1,470 |
$1,274 |
$687 |
| Senior discount | No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Pay-per-mile insurance | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Read More | USAA Review |
Our Picks
1. Allstate - Best Home and Auto Bundles
(855) 933-2095
What We Like Most:
- Savings of up to 25 percent with home and auto bundles
- Pay-per-mile insurance option
- Online quotes
- Discounts for people with clean driving records
Overview
Allstate is a nationwide insurance company that offers discounts to people bundling their home and auto insurance. While Allstate may have higher rates than other companies, it still offers comprehensive plans, accident forgiveness, and 24/7 roadside assistance. Additionally, the company rewards safe drivers with premium decreases.
Types of Coverage
Allstate offers the following types of coverage:
- Liability
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Medical payments
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist
- Personal injury protection
- Roadside assistance
- Personal umbrella
- Rental reimbursement
- Classic car insurance
- Mexico car insurance
While many of these are standard, few providers offer insurance for classic cars, or insurance for people driving in Mexico. Additionally, Allstate offers ride-share coverage and affordable rates for Uber and Lyft drivers.
Did You Know? Did you know that an AARP membership offers discounts on car rentals? Read our guides to AARP Avis discounts and AARP Budget discounts to learn more.
Senior Discounts
Allstate does not offer any discounts for seniors specifically. However, seniors can still save in a few different ways:
- Bundling: As I said, you can save money by having multiple policies with Allstate. Discounts vary, but for home and auto insurance, it’s 25 percent.
- Safe driving: If you drive safely, Allstate will reward you with lower premiums.
- Multiple vehicles: Households with more than one vehicle can save by covering them under one insurance provider.
Bottom Line
Allstate offers nationwide coverage with useful add-ons and of course, basic coverage. While their monthly premiums can be pricey, they offer accident forgiveness and several discounts so you know you’re covered if the worst happens.
Pros
- Great discounts for bundled policies
- Safe driving discounts
- Generous rental reimbursement
- Pay-per-mile options available
Cons
- Potentially higher premiums than State Farm
- Low customer satisfaction ratings
Pro Tip: Paying auto insurance on an annual or biannual basis lowers your monthly premium.
2. Metromile - Best for Low-Mileage Drivers
(855) 933-2095
What We Like Most:
- Savings of up to $947 per year
- Discounts for low-mileage drivers
- Roadside assistance and glass repair coverage available
- Available in Washington, California, Oregon, Illinois, Arizona, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey
Overview
Metromile is a unique insurance company in that it only offers “pay-per-mile” plans, meaning that policyholders pay based on how much they drive. Because of this, Metromile is a highly affordable option for drivers who only drive occasionally. Users pay a nominal monthly rate and then a per-mile rate of around $0.06. Therefore, your monthly rate changes depending on how many miles you drive. For example, your rate will be higher if you take a road trip, and lower if you stick to your neighborhood. This is ideal for seniors who do not drive often but still need coverage.
Types of Coverage
Metromile offers the typical coverages (liability, comprehensive, collision, medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist), plus a few add-ons:
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Glass repair
In other words, Metromile’s coverages are similar to more traditional companies like Allstate. The only difference is how the premium is calculated; it changes each month based on how many miles you drive. The mileage is tracked through a smartphone app that plugs directly into your car.
Senior Discounts
Metromile does not offer senior discounts. However, the pricing structure favors seniors, who, aside from teenage drivers, have the lowest average annual mileage per age group. To illustrate this, adults 65 and older drive an average of 7,646 per year, while the average for adults 20 through 54 is nearly twice as high at 14,120 per year, according to 2022 data from the Federal Highway Administration. So while there are no senior-specific discounts, depending on your driving habits, Metromile could be less expensive than other companies with senior discounts.
Bottom Line
Metromile is great for those who don’t drive often but still need car insurance. However, it is not available in many states, and it could get pricey if you take a long trip, or if your driving habits change.
Pros
- Low monthly premiums
- Roadside assistance available
- Average savings of 47 percent
- Premiums do not take into account credit scores, ages, or ZIP codes
Cons
- Only available in eight states
- Expensive for high-mileage drivers
Did You Know:
Most auto insurance policies can be managed through a smartphone. To find the best one for your needs, check out my rundowns of the best smartphones for seniors and the best iPhones for seniors.
3. USAA - Best for Veterans
(855) 933-2095
What We Like Most:
- Usage-based insurance available
- Roadside assistance
- Average savings of $725 per year
- Savings of up to 10 percent with home and property bundles
Overview
While USAA is available only to those who served in the military and their spouses and children, the company offers affordable insurance for people of any age. USAA has quality, nationwide coverage at affordable rates. USAA also offers flexible payment plans, so it’s perfect for seniors on a budget.
Types of Coverage
USAA offers basic auto insurance coverage as well as add-ons, including:
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Roadside assistance
- Rental reimbursement
Senior Discounts
While USAA doesn’t offer senior discounts, it does offer discounts for insuring multiple vehicles and combining property and auto insurance. Drivers can also get a discount for driving safely or by completing a defensive driving course. Additionally, if you store your vehicle on a military installation or drive fewer miles than average, you can save even more.
Pro Tip: USAA offers discounts to people with low annual mileage on their vehicles.
Bottom Line
USAA has affordable rates and even bigger discounts. The only downside is that this insurance is only for military members, veterans, and their immediate families, so it’s not an option for most people.
Pros
- Affordable rates
- Discounts for bundling
- Roadside assistance
- Easy claims process
Cons
- Not available to people outside of the military
4. State Farm - Best Customer Service
(855) 933-2095
What We Like Most:
- Above-average customer satisfaction ratings
- Usage-based insurance
- Affordable average rates
- Low mileage discounts
Overview
In 2024, State Farm scored above average across the U.S. on J.D. Power’s Auto Insurance Study, in which it surveyed real customers about their car insurance providers. The only exception was usage-based insurance, in which it scored one point below the segment average. State Farm has over 65,000 employees and 19,000 agent offices nationwide as of 2023, and customers love the person-to-person customer service they get.
Types of Coverage
State Farm offers the following types of coverage:
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Liability
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Medical payments
- Ride-share
- Roadside assistance
- Rental reimbursement/travel expenses coverage
These are more coverage types than usual, particularly the travel expenses coverage. If you’re involved in a car accident more than 50 miles away from home, your insurance will pay for transportation, lodging, and meals, along with a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired.
Senior Discounts
While there are no senior-specific discounts, State Farm offers discounts for good driving, for remaining accident and moving violation-free for three years, and for driving a safe vehicle. Additionally, rates go down if you bundle auto insurance with other products like homeowners, renters, condo, or life insurance.
Bottom Line
State Farm offers comprehensive coverage and excellent customer service. A dedicated local agent can help you get the most out of your auto insurance. However, for usage-based insurance, customer satisfaction rates are slightly below average.
Pros
- High customer satisfaction ratings
- Low monthly premiums
- Safe driver discounts
- Rental car coverage
Cons
- Lower-than-average customer satisfaction with usage-based insurance
5. The Hartford/AARP - Best for AARP Members
What We Like Most:
- Accident forgiveness
- Disappearing deductible
- Average savings of $577
- Insurance for classic cars, RVs, ATVs, golf carts, and more
Overview
The Hartford offers insurance for AARP members, specifically, through the AARP Auto Insurance Program. With this program, members can pay $78 at minimum per month for car insurance, which comes out to $936 per year — much less than the national average of $1,061, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. On average, AARP Insurance for classic cars, RVs, ATVs, golf carts, and more
members saved $577 when they switched to The Hartford, based on data collected from 2022 to 2023. Car insurance with The Hartford is just one of the many ways that you can save money with an AARP membership.
Types of Coverage
The Hartford offers AARP members the following coverage types:
- Liability
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Medical payments
- Personal injury protection
- Full glass
- Car towing
- Personal umbrella
- Gap insurance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Rental car insurance
That is a hefty list of coverage types. The Hartford covers many types of vehicles, including:
- Classic cars
- ATVs
- RVs
- Boats
- Golf carts
- Snowmobiles
Whatever is sitting in your garage, you can save by insuring it with The Hartford as an AARP member.
Senior Discounts
Buying auto insurance through the AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford could yield you the following discounts:
- AARP membership: You’ll save 10 percent just by being an AARP member.
- Bundling: You could save another $813 a year by combining your auto insurance with home, renters, or condo insurance. Savings are up to 12 percent on auto insurance and up to 20 percent on property insurance.
- Defensive driving course: People who complete approved defensive driving courses can get discounts for the next three years.
- Paid-in-full: If you pay your bill upfront rather than every month, you could get lower premiums.
- Safe driving: Finally, you’ll earn a 12 percent discount just for signing up for The Hartford’s usage-based insurance program, TrueLane, and another discount of up to 25 percent for safe driving habits.
Bottom Line
If you’re already an AARP member, The Hartford is a no-brainer for car insurance, with low average rates and extensive coverage.
Pros
- Low average prices
- Unusual coverage like full glass and gap insurance
- Coverage for multiple vehicle types, including ATVs and RVs
- Savings for AARP members
Cons
- Only available to AARP members
Car Insurance Rates and Age
There’s a stereotype that older drivers cause more accidents, as they are more likely to have physical and mental impairments. However, the data says something different. Take a look at these 2022 crash rates from the National Safety Council:
| Age group, 2022 | Percent of licensed drivers | Percent of drivers in fatal crashes | Percent of drivers in all crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Younger than 16 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| 16 | 0% | 1% | 1% |
| 17 | 1% | 1% | 2% |
| 18 | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| 19 | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| 16-19 | 4% | 6% | 10% |
| 20 | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| 21 | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| 22 | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| 23 | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| 24 | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| 20-24 | 7% | 11% | 13% |
| 25-34 | 17% | 22% | 22% |
| 35-44 | 17% | 18% | 18% |
| 45-54 | 16% | 15% | 14% |
| 55-64 | 17% | 14% | 12% |
| 65-74 | 13% | 9% | 7% |
| 75 and older | 8% | 6% | 4% |
Drivers age 55 and older are actually underrepresented in all crashes and fatal crashes compared to drivers ages 44 and under. Despite this, older drivers pay more for insurance when they turn 75, according to data from Progressive. Adults ages 75 and older pay an average of $1,212, a 5 percent increase from drivers ages 65 to 74, who pay $1,152, on average.
That is one of the advantages of pay-per-mile insurance, as it doesn’t take into account the age of a driver, only their annual mileage. Consider companies like Root and Metromile, which only offer pay-per-mile insurance, if you have a low annual mileage.
Bottom Line
Although it may be hard to find affordable car insurance as a senior, especially if you’re 75 or older, some companies are better for seniors than others. To learn more, read my guide to car insurance for seniors, or keep reading the frequently asked questions below.
Senior Car Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
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Which companies offer senior discounts on car insurance?
Some companies that offer senior discounts on car insurance include:
- Direct Auto
- GEICO
- Nationwide
- Progressive
- The Hartford’s AARP Auto Insurance Program
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Do seniors pay more for car insurance?
Yes, if all else is equal, seniors do pay more for car insurance once they turn 75. Data from Progressive shows that, despite relatively low accident rates, car insurance gets more expensive for drivers 75 and older.
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Which company offers the best car insurance for seniors?
The companies that offer the best car insurance for seniors include:
- Allstate
- Metromile
- State Farm
- The Hartford
- USAA
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How much does AARP auto insurance cost?
On average, AARP auto insurance from The Hartford costs $687, far below average compared to other companies.
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Which insurance company is best for claims?
The insurance company that is best for claims is Amica. In J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Amica was ranked the highest, with a score of 909 out of 1,000, 4 percent above the study average of 878. Other top contenders include Erie Insurance (902), NJM Insurance Co. (900), and COUNTRY Financial (894). Smaller, regional providers tend to have superior claims processes than larger companies like Liberty Mutual and Progressive, according to this study.