The Best Car Insurance for Seniors in Michigan (2024)
Michigan has the seventh-highest average car insurance rates in the U.S. In 2021, the last time the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) published data, the average driver in Michigan paid $1,306 per year for car insurance, nearly $250 more than the U.S. average. Seniors can expect even higher rates, as premiums tend to rise once you turn 75. This is why it’s important for seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes, to find not only good deals but robust coverage.
Taking into account financial strength and customer satisfaction ratings, average premiums, coverages, and discounts, along with the testimonials of my clients, these five providers are the best for Michigan seniors.
FYI: To learn more, read my guide to the best auto insurance providers for seniors.
The Best Car Insurance for Seniors in Michigan
- The Hartford/AARP : Best for AARP Members
- Travelers : Best with Local Agents
- Auto-Owners : Best for Loaned/Leased Vehicles
- Nationwide Car Insurance : Best Customer Service
- Geico : Best for Good Drivers
How I Chose
To find the best auto insurance providers for seniors in Michigan, I looked for the following:
- Low premiums: Saving money on your auto insurance is a priority I took seriously when comparing providers against both Michigan’s and the national average.
- Policy types: Not all insurance policy types feature the same coverage for the same price, so I compared the coverage each provider offers.
- Senior discounts: Not all providers offer a senior discount, but I listed it when applicable with the other discounts they offer.
Providers Compared
The Hartford/AARP
|
Travelers
|
Auto-Owners
|
Nationwide Car Insurance
|
Geico
|
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rating out of 5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.4 |
Best for | AARP Members |
Local Agents |
Loaned/Leased Vehicles |
Customer Service |
Good Drivers |
Senior discount | Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Customer satisfaction rating in North Central region (average is 652/1,000) | Not included |
606 |
646 |
688 |
641 |
1. The Hartford/AARP - Best for AARP Members
What We Like Most:
- 10 percent discount for AARP members
- Roadside assistance and transportation expenses coverage
- Premiums start at $78 per month
- Bundles with home and condo insurance
Overview
AARP members get a ton of savings, including discounts on travel, hotels, and flights. But you may not be aware an AARP membership can also get you discounted car insurance from The Hartford. You’ll receive a 10 percent discount just because of your AARP membership, making for prices as low as $78 a month or $936 a year. That saves you $370 over the average cost of full-coverage auto insurance in Michigan. Plus, the insurance coverages are wide, covering not only Michigan’s lengthy car insurance requirements but also add-ons like:
- Full glass coverage
- Car towing coverage
- Gap insurance
- Personal umbrella insurance
- Rental car reimbursement
Using this insurance, you can insure your vehicle, your classic car, ATV, RV, golf cart, or even snowmobile.
How to Get a Quote
To get a quote from The Hartford, either request a quote online or call 888-413-8970.
Pros
- Plentiful add-on options
- Average savings of $577
- Prices as low as $78 per month
- Discount for AARP members
Cons
- Only available to AARP members
2. Travelers - Best with Local Agents
What We Like Most:
- 587 local agents in Michigan
- Gap coverage
- Safe driver discount
- Bundles with home, condo, or renters insurance
Overview
While some people appreciate the ease of online quotes, many of my clients prefer to handle their insurance the old-fashioned way: meeting agents in person and discussing their needs. If that’s the case for you, you’ll appreciate the fact that there are 587 local Travelers agents across the state of Michigan, from Ada all the way to Yale. Not every insurance company offers such an extensive network of local agents, or local agents at all, setting Travelers apart from the competition.
Aside from the local agents, Travelers offers gap insurance, rental coverage, roadside assistance, and new car replacement. It rewards safe drivers with discounts, and offers bundles with homeowners, condo, or renters insurance, applying to a wide range of seniors in Michigan.
How to Get a Quote
Get a Travelers quote online or call 1-866-936-8223. Or, you can find a Travelers agent near you.
Pros
- Coverage for loaned/leased vehicles
- Network of local agents through Michigan
- Rental reimbursement
- Discount for safe driving
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
3. Auto-Owners - Best for Loaned/Leased Vehicles
What We Like Most:
- Gap insurance for loaned/leased vehicles
- Local, independent agents
- Coverage for classic, modified, and converted cars
- Accident forgiveness
Overview
If you paid for your vehicle using an auto loan, or if you lease your vehicle from a car company, then most likely, you’ll have to pay for gap insurance, which is not a requirement under Michigan law. Not every car insurance company offers gap insurance, but Auto-Owners goes above and beyond.
In addition to gap insurance, which covers the amount between your car’s actual cash value and the amount you owe on your lease/loan, it also offers a rental auto gap for rented cars. That means if you get into an accident in a rental car, the amount you’re liable for will be covered. On top of that, Auto-Owners offers diminished value, meaning you’ll receive money to cover your car’s reduction in value.
How to Get a Quote
To get a quote, you’ll need to find an independent agent near you on the Auto-Owners website. The website will show you the agents near you, along with their addresses, phone numbers, websites, and email addresses.
Pros
- Coverage for rented, loaned, and leased vehicles
- Accident forgiveness
- Local agents
- Multi-car discounts
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
- No online quotes
4. Nationwide Car Insurance - Best Customer Service
What We Like Most:
- High customer satisfaction ratings in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
- Local, independent agents from Brighton to Traverse City
- Defensive driving discount for seniors
- Low complaint rates with the NAIC
Overview
The NAIC is the U.S.’s organization that regulates the insurance industry. Customers can complain to the NAIC if they are unhappy with some actions of their insurance company, as each state has its own Department of Insurance. The NAIC tracks the number of complaints it gets for each company by state, and compares the number of complaints with the size of the company. When it came to Nationwide in Michigan, the company only got 53 percent of the complaints it should for a company of its size. In 2023, Michigan Nationwide private auto insurance customers only complained to the NAIC four times.
How to Get a Quote
To get a quote from Nationwide, you can enter your zip code on the Nationwide website or find an agent in person. Alternatively, you can call 1-877-669-6877.
Pros
- Strong customer satisfaction ratings
- Senior discount
- Few complaints to the NAIC
- Accident forgiveness
Cons
- Lower-than-average auto claims satisfaction rate
5. Geico - Best for Good Drivers
(855) 933-2095
What We Like Most:
- Good drivers have low premiums
- Roadside assistance available
- Mechanical breakdown insurance
- Easy online quotes
Overview
Not all companies accept high-risk drivers. Some cater to people with clean driving records and reward them with low prices. Geico is one of those companies. It’s a good option if you’ve had no accidents within the past five years, as you’ll save 22 percent on the majority of coverage they offer. Seniors in Michigan pay Geico an average of $1,297 a year for personal auto insurance, less than the state average.
You can save even more if everyone in your car wears your seatbelts, required for passengers ages 8 to 15 as well as drivers and front seat passengers, as it says in the Michigan Legislature. Buckling up could save you money on personal injury protection, a requirement of Michigan auto insurance according to the state’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
How to Get a Quote
Getting a quote will be easier on Geico’s website. There is no phone number to call the company directly, and there is only one local agent in the state of Michigan, in Detroit. If you’d rather buy insurance in person, call Michael Sloan at 248-970-6080 or email him at misloan@geico.com.
Pros
- Bundling discount
- Roadside assistance
- Rental reimbursement
- Low rates for good drivers
Cons
- No senior discount
- Low customer satisfaction ratings
Bottom Line
Remember to check your eligibility for discounts while assessing a provider, since they can drastically change your monthly rates. Use the online quoting options when available, or speak to a local representative to learn what you can expect to pay from the listed providers.
To learn more about auto insurance for seniors, read my guide to car insurance for seniors.