Penny Gusner is a senior insurance writer and analyst at Forbes Advisor. For more than 20 years, she has been helping consumers learn how insurance laws, data, trends, and coverages affect them. Penny enjoys translating the complexities of insurance into easy-to-understand advice and tips to help consumers make the best choices for their needs. Her work has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including The Washington Post and Kiplinger’s.
Penny Gusner
Penny Gusner is a senior insurance writer and analyst at Forbes Advisor. For more than 20 years, she has been helping consumers learn how insurance laws, data, trends, and coverages affect them. Penny enjoys translating the complexities of insurance into easy-to-understand advice and tips to help consumers make the best choices for their needs. Her work has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including The Washington Post and Kiplinger’s.
Ashlee is an insurance editor, journalist and business professional with an MBA and more than 17 years of hands-on experience in both business and personal finance. She is passionate about empowering others to protect life's most important assets. When Ashlee isn't spreading insurance knowledge or solving television murder mysteries, she enjoys spending time with her family (including the furry and feathery ones) on their farm in Kentucky.
Reviewed
Ashlee Valentine
Ashlee is an insurance editor, journalist and business professional with an MBA and more than 17 years of hands-on experience in both business and personal finance. She is passionate about empowering others to protect life's most important assets. When Ashlee isn't spreading insurance knowledge or solving television murder mysteries, she enjoys spending time with her family (including the furry and feathery ones) on their farm in Kentucky.
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Nationwide is the best car insurance company for seniors overall, with USAA, Travelers and Erie also excelling, according to our analysis. We evaluated collision claims processes, complaints, costs for drivers age 65 and older and coverage options.
Car insurance costs are higher for senior drivers because of the elevated risk they pose as their skills decline. Shopping around can help seniors find affordable rates.
Read more
Show Summary
- Summary: Best Car Insurance for Seniors of 2024
- How Much Is Car Insurance for Seniors?
- Best Car Insurance Rates for Seniors
- Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors by State
- Car Insurance Discounts for Seniors
- Why Do Auto Insurance Rates Increase for Seniors?
- Tips for Senior Car Insurance Buyers
- Methodology
- Other Car Insurance Companies We Rated
- Best Car Insurance for Seniors Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Next Up In Car Insurance
Summary: Best Car Insurance for Seniors of 2024
| Company | Editors’ Take | Forbes Advisor Rating | Average annual cost for senior drivers | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide |  |
Best Overall | 5.0 |  |
$1,402 |
| USAA |  |
Best for Military and Veterans | 4.8 | |
$1,455 |
| Travelers |  |
Best Rates for Low-Mileage Drivers | 4.7 |  |
$1,668 |
| Erie |  |
Best for Collision Repair | 4.4 | |
$1,831 |
| Auto-Owners |  |
Best Rates for New Cars | 4.3 | |
$1,813 |
| Geico |  |
Great for Drivers With Poor Credit | 4.3 | |
$1,793 |
| Progressive |  |
Best Rates for Drivers With a DUI | 4.1 |  |
$1,937 |
How Much Is Car Insurance for Seniors?
Car insurance for seniors costs an average of $2,150 a year, based on our analysis of rates for drivers age 65 to 80.
Senior car insurance costs varied significantly among the insurance companies we analyzed, with a difference of nearly $1,920 a year between the least and most expensive companies.
Nationwide has the cheapest car insurance for senior drivers, costing an average of $1,402 a year. Nationwide is also a top pick on our list of the best car insurance companies for drivers of all ages.
Best Car Insurance Rates for Seniors
We analyzed rates for drivers ages 65 to 80 to determine which companies have the best car insurance rates for seniors.
Nationwide has the cheapest car insurance for seniors at $1,402 per year or $117 per month. Other cheap companies include USAA at an average of $1,455 per year and Travelers at $1,668 per year, according to our analysis.
| Cheapest car insurance companies for seniors | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
|
$117
|
$1,402
|
|
|
USAA*
|
$121
|
$1,455
|
|
$139
|
$1,668
|
|
|
$149
|
$1,793
|
|
|
$151
|
$1,813
|
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors Age 65
USAA is the cheapest car insurance company for seniors age 65, costing an average of $1,322 a year or $110 a month, according to our analysis. USAA is available only to customers with a military affiliation. Nationwide is the cheapest auto insurer available to all drivers. Nationwide’s auto insurance costs for a 65-year-old average $1,342 a year or $112 a month.
| Cheapest car insurance companies for 65-year-olds | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
|
USAA*
|
$110
|
$1,322
|
|
$112
|
$1,342
|
|
|
$115
|
$1,379
|
|
|
$125
|
$1,499
|
|
|
$135
|
$1,615
|
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors Age 75
Nationwide is the cheapest car insurance company for seniors age 75, among the companies in our analysis, with an average cost of $1,534 a year ($128 a month).
| Cheapest car insurance companies for 75-year-olds | Average monthly costs | Average annual costs |
|---|---|---|
|
$128
|
$1,534
|
|
|
USAA*
|
$132
|
$1,581
|
|
$137
|
$1,644
|
|
|
$152
|
$1,819
|
|
|
$154
|
$1,842
|
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors Based on Driving History
Your driving record impacts how much you pay for car insurance as a senior driver. If your driving history is clear of accidents and traffic tickets, you’re considered a good driver and will see cheaper rates.
If you have an accident, speeding ticket, DUI or other infraction on your driving record, expect to pay more for the next three to five years (depending on the issue).
Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors Who Are Good Drivers
Nationwide has the cheapest full coverage auto insurance rates for seniors age 70 who are good drivers, at an average of $1,410 per year. USAA is also cheap for full coverage at $1,416 per year, but only military members, veterans and their families are eligible for policies with USAA.
USAA is the cheapest company for those buying only minimum coverage, at $413 per year for 70-year-old senior drivers. The second cheapest company for minimum coverage is Erie, coming in at an average of $427 a year.
| Company | Average annual cost of full coverage | Average annual cost of minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
|
$1,410
|
$683
|
|
|
USAA*
|
$1,416
|
$413
|
|
$1,472
|
$695
|
|
|
$1,623
|
$427
|
|
|
$1,718
|
$604
|
Source: Quadrant Information Services. Full coverage rates are based on liability coverage of 100/300/100 ($100,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 in property damage liability) uninsured motorist coverage and collision and comprehensive insurance with $500 deductible. Minimum state rates are based on the minimum amount of auto insurance required in each state. All rates are based on a female driver, age 70, insuring a new Toyota RAV4.
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families.
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors With an At-Fault Accident
Erie is the cheapest company for senior drivers age 70 who buy full coverage car insurance and who have an at-fault accident with injury on their driving records.
USAA and State Farm are also relatively cheap for 70-year-old senior drivers who have caused an accident with injury.
Having an at-fault accident with an injury on your record raises your rates by 56% on average, according to our analysis.
| Company | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
|
$180
|
$2,161
|
|
|
USAA*
|
$188
|
$2,261
|
|
$194
|
$2,331
|
|
|
$203
|
$2,431
|
|
|
$207
|
$2,482
|
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families
Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors With a Speeding Ticket
USAA offers the cheapest car insurance for 70-year-old seniors with a speeding ticket, averaging $1,764 a year. Erie has the second-cheapest price of $1,841 a year.
Seniors age 70 with a speeding ticket on their driving records will see an increase in car insurance costs of 29% on average, according to our analysis.
| Company | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
|
USAA*
|
$147
|
$1,764
|
|
$153
|
$1,841
|
|
|
$161
|
$1,936
|
|
|
$184
|
$2,212
|
|
|
$186
|
$2,228
|
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families
Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors With a DUI
Progressive has the cheapest average car insurance rate for a 70-year-old driver with a DUI on their record, averaging $2,268 per year.
A DUI is considered a serious offense by auto insurers, so senior drivers with a DUI can expect rates to shoot up. Our analysis found that car insurance rates go up 78% on average for a 70-year-old senior driver who has a DUI conviction.
| Company | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|
|
$189
|
$2,268
|
|
|
$218
|
$2,612
|
|
|
$218
|
$2,618
|
|
|
USAA*
|
$231
|
$2,776
|
|
$236
|
$2,831
|
*USAA auto insurance is available only to members of the military, veterans and their families
Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors by State
The cost of car insurance for seniors varies by state as well as company. Issues like the number of claims in your state, vehicle repair costs and medical costs impact the price of car insurance from one state to the next.
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies by State for Drivers Ages 65 to 80
| State | Cheapest insurance company for seniors | Average annual cost for full coverage from the cheapest company |
|---|---|---|
|
$1,098
|
||
|
$1,075
|
||
|
QBE
|
$1,152
|
|
|
$1,215
|
||
|
Capital Insurance
|
$1,637
|
|
|
American National
|
$941
|
|
|
Geico
|
$1,332
|
|
|
Travelers
|
$1,144
|
|
|
Travelers
|
$2,014
|
|
|
Country Financial
|
$1,499
|
|
|
Geico
|
$896
|
|
|
American National
|
$526
|
|
|
Travelers
|
$1,097
|
|
|
Hastings Mutual
|
$770
|
|
|
Hastings Mutual
|
$645
|
|
|
Nationwide
|
$987
|
|
|
Travelers
|
$1,261
|
|
|
$2,092
|
||
|
Travelers
|
$686
|
|
|
Geico
|
$1,100
|
|
|
$682
|
||
|
Secura
|
$1,093
|
|
|
Farm Bureau Mutual
|
$1,081
|
|
|
Direct General
|
$1,169
|
|
|
Travelers
|
$1,237
|
|
|
State Farm
|
$1,310
|
|
|
American National
|
$562
|
|
|
Capital Insurance
|
$953
|
|
|
MMG Insurance
|
$836
|
|
|
Travelers
|
$1,206
|
|
|
Geico
|
$1,436
|
|
|
$1,030
|
||
|
State Farm
|
$792
|
|
|
$1,073
|
||
|
Hastings Mutual
|
$674
|
|
|
$1,503
|
||
|
QBE
|
$989
|
|
|
Travelers
|
$1,106
|
|
|
State Farm
|
$1,461
|
|
|
American National
|
$551
|
|
|
Kemper
|
$1,003
|
|
|
Tennessee Farmers
|
$1,064
|
|
|
Texas Farm Bureau
|
$840
|
|
|
Nationwide
|
$929
|
|
|
Progressive
|
$730
|
|
|
Alfa
|
$714
|
|
|
Capital Insurance
|
$929
|
|
|
Nationwide
|
$969
|
|
|
Rural Mutual Insurance
|
$761
|
|
|
American National
|
$691
|
In some instances, USAA was the cheapest, but we have listed the next cheapest company because USAA auto insurance is only available to veterans, military members and their families.
Car Insurance Discounts for Seniors
Car insurance discounts can help lower the overall price of a senior auto policy. Discounts that may be especially helpful include:
Why Do Auto Insurance Rates Increase for Seniors?
Auto insurance rates increase for seniors because car insurance companies find this age group of drivers is more likely to have accidents and file claims.
Teenagers and seniors typically pay more for car insurance than other drivers, all else being equal, when we look at average auto insurance rates by age. (Note that age is not a factor in setting auto rates in California, Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state laws.)
Some reasons senior drivers pay more include:
- The CDC finds that the risk of being killed or injured in a traffic accident increases as drivers age.
- Age-related ailments—such as declining vision, cognitive abilities and changes in general physical fitness—plus medications and their side effects can impair driving skills, leading to more accidents.
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that fatal crashes increased notably at ages 70 to 74 and are highest in drivers 85 and older as they’re more susceptible to crash injuries.
- Severe accident injuries for older drivers result in expensive car insurance claims, which leads to even higher rates.
We found that auto insurance rates trend upward around age 65. Our analysis found an average rate increase of 6% for car insurance rates from age 65 to 70. Costs gradually increase until, at age 80, you’re at a relatively sizable cumulative increase of 31% compared to rates at age 65.
Annual Car Insurance Rate Increases for Seniors
| Age | Average cost per year | Increase in cost compared to age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 65 |
$1,892
|
|
| 70 |
$2,011
|
6%
|
| 75 |
$2,223
|
17%
|
| 80 |
$2,474
|
31%
|
Tips for Senior Car Insurance Buyers
You can’t stop the gradual increase in car insurance costs that all senior drivers see, but there are ways to minimize them. See tips on buying senior car insurance from our experts.
Tips for Finding the Best Car Insurance for Seniors
Penny Gusner
Insurance Senior Writer
Amy Danise
Insurance Managing Editor
Ashlee Valentine
Insurance Editor
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Comparison Shop With Multiple Companies
Shopping around with multiple insurers is key when looking for the best auto insurance for seniors. Each company has its own pricing system. I recommend getting quotes from at least three companies.
You can switch car insurance companies at any time, so you can shop for lower prices at any time.
Penny Gusner
Insurance Senior Writer
Ask for Discounts
I say don’t be bashful about contacting your insurance agent or insurer to make certain you’re getting all of the car insurance discounts you’re eligible for. Many discounts are automatically applied, like a discount for insuring multiple cars. There may be others available that you’re unaware of, like small discounts for paying in full and going paperless.
Amy Danise
Insurance Managing Editor
Take a Defensive Driving Course
I’ve found that driving courses are not just for young drivers. Many car insurance companies will give mature drivers a discount for taking an approved defensive driving class.
Some states mandate this discount for drivers ages 50 and up as a way to persuade older drivers to sharpen their skills. I recommend talking to your agent to see if your insurer provides such a discount.
Ashlee Valentine
Insurance Editor
Drive Less and Save
If you’re retired, work less or just drive less overall, inform your auto insurance company. As my parents started to drive less, I reminded them to tell their agent to see about getting a lower rate, since driving a car fewer miles annually can earn you a low-mileage discount.
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
Maintain a Good Driving Record
Keeping your driving record clear of traffic violations and accidents is an effective way to offset rate increases due to age. If you have a ticket, remember to compare car insurance quotes when it falls off your driving record to see what company is offering the lowest prices then.
Les Masterson
Insurance Editor
Adjust Your Driving Habits
I’ve found in analyzing rates that even if you’re age 75 and a stellar driver with no insurance claims, your rates will reflect the claims of other older drivers. Adjusting your driving habits as you age can help you remain a safe driver and can assist you in keeping your car insurance rates lower.
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Methodology
To find the best car insurance companies for seniors, we evaluated each company on these metrics:
Auto insurance rates (50% of score): We used data from Quadrant Information Services to find average rates for drivers ages 65 to 80. Unless otherwise noted, rates are based on a new Toyota RAV4 and a full coverage car insurance policy consisting of:
- $100,000 for injuries to one person, $300,000 for injuries per accident and $100,000 of property damage (known as 100/300/100).
- Uninsured motorist coverage of 100/300.
- Collision and comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible.
State minimum coverage rates reflect the minimum amount of auto insurance required in each state.
Car insurance coverage options (25% of score): We gave points to companies that offer accident forgiveness, new car replacement, vanishing deductibles, usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance and SR-22s.
Complaints (20% of score): We used complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Each state’s department of insurance is in charge of logging and monitoring complaints against companies operating in their states. Most auto insurance complaints center on claims, including unsatisfactory settlements, delays, and denials.
The industry complaint average is 1.00, so companies with a ratio below 1.00 have lower levels of complaints.
Collision repair (5% of score): We incorporated insurance company grades from collision repair professionals. We used data provided by CRASH Network, a weekly newsletter covering the collision repair and auto insurance market segments. CRASH Network’s Insurer Report Card used grades from more than 1,100 collision repair professionals to gauge auto insurers on the quality of their collision claims service.
Auto Insurance Collision Repair Grades
| Company | CRASH Network collision repair grades |
|---|---|
|
A-
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
C-
|
|
|
D+
|
Source: Courtesy of CRASH Network
Other Car Insurance Companies We Rated
Best Car Insurance for Seniors Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does auto insurance go down when you retire?
No, car insurance is not guaranteed to go down when you retire. Car insurance costs tend to increase around age 65 and continue to rise as you age. That is because car insurance companies find senior drivers are more likely to be in accidents and make claims.
But you may be able to lower your car insurance costs after you retire by comparing car insurance quotes and asking for extra discounts. Senior citizen drivers can usually receive a discount for successfully taking a defensive driving course. If you drive less after retirement, you should be able to score a low-mileage discount. You may also want to try out a pay-per-mile insurance program to see if that helps lower your car insurance costs.
Does car insurance increase at age 70?
Yes, car insurance costs continue to increase at and after age 70 because insurers are concerned about the rising accident risk of senior drivers.
Forbes Advisor’s analysis of rates for senior drivers finds that costs typically begin to rise around age 65 and steadily increase afterward. Rates at age 70 are 6% higher compared to age 65. The cost of auto insurance goes up an average of 31% from age 65 to 80—and that’s for good drivers. To combat rate increases, comparison shop to find out which companies are offering the cheapest auto insurance rates.
How do I get a defensive driving discount as a senior driver?
You can get a defensive driving car insurance discount as a senior driver by proving you completed an approved course. But first, check that your insurer offers the discount and you’re qualified for it. The age eligibility can vary, with some insurers requiring you to be 55 or older and others starting at 50. Some states, such as Florida, mandate a mature driver discount for those over a certain age, typically 55, who complete a course.
If the discount is not state-mandated, it’s up to the discretion of your insurance company. It may have qualifications for the discount beyond age, such as having a driving record free of violations or accidents. Speaking to an agent before taking the class is essential to determine eligibility and the discount amount, which typically varies from 5% to 10%.
