See If You Qualify for Lower Rates
The best car insurance for seniors may not necessarily be the same insurer you had in your younger years. This is because premiums increase once you turn 65 as insurance companies consider senior drivers riskier to insure than middle-aged drivers.
Nonetheless, at TrySmartly, we analyzed thousands of quotes to discover a few of the best car insurance companies depending on your needs. Our analysis showed that the most effective way seniors save money is by shopping around and comparing quotes.
You can search for car insurance quotes by taking advantage of TrySmartly’s free online request form. The process will take just a few minutes and may result in significant savings.
Some of the best auto insurance companies include the following:
One affordable and high-rated senior car insurance provider is State Farm. The company offers a range of discounts for safe driving, safe vehicles, and loyal customers. State Farm’s rates are also affordable for budget-conscious seniors.
The insurance company is also known for its excellent customer service and wide range of products, making it a great choice for seniors looking to bundle policies – like home, renters’, life, or health insurance. State Farm’s annual premium for senior drivers averages around $1,145.
Geico offers some of the most affordable senior car insurance rates. In addition, this cheap car insurance for seniors provides a guaranteed auto insurance renewal program called the Prime Time contract – available to qualified drivers over 50. The program guarantees that your policy won’t be canceled even if you receive multiple traffic violations.
However, Geico’s customer service is average to satisfactory. It also doesn’t underwrite its homeowner insurance policies and offers fewer additional products compared to other auto insurance companies. So, if you’re looking to bundle two or more policies, consider contacting other insurers.
Geico’s minimum-coverage policy costs around $763 annually, whereas full coverage averages around $1,463 annually.
Nationwide’s SmartMiles Pay-Per-Mile program is designed to help low-mileage drivers save money on their premiums. Instead of paying a flat fee for insurance, senior drivers who drive less frequently will be charged on a per-mile basis, giving you more control over your senior auto insurance costs.
This type of policy has two components: the base rate of $60 and the amount you pay per mile, which is $ 0.07 per mile. The base rate stays the same regardless of the distance you drive. However, the mile rate changes based on how many miles you drive each month. For example, if you drive 500 miles per month, your total rate would be 60 + (0.07 X 500) = $95.
Bundling auto and home insurance policies typically results in substantial savings. While a typical bundle discount ranges around 17%, State Farm offers the most significant discount of 25%.
However, if you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran or active-duty military member, you may receive better bundle rates from USAA. USAA offers a bundle discount of around 8% but has the cheapest overall policies. So, if you meet one of these requirements, consider USAA for bundling your home and car insurance policies.
If you’re looking for cheap car insurance for seniors, use TrySmartly’s free online request form to search for quotes from reputable insurers.
The law requires drivers of all ages to carry property damage and bodily injury liability insurance in almost every state. The state also determines the minimum rates. So, a person who lives in California will pay a different rate than someone living in Texas for the same coverage. That said, the amount of coverage you need depends on your circumstances.
In addition, starting at the age of 55, drivers can expect an increase in their rates. Studies show that the average insurance rate goes up by 14.5% for people aged between 65 and 75. The rate tends to also increase by 29.5% for drivers between the ages of 75 and 85.
The table below shows the yearly car insurance estimate for senior drivers:
Age | Average Annual Rate | Increase in Annual Rates Compared to 65 |
---|---|---|
65 | $1,626.5 | |
75 | $1,862.5 | 14.5% |
80 | $2,345 | 44% |
Insurance companies consider several factors when determining car insurance rates for seniors. These include the following:
There are also factors other than your location and age that insurance companies consider when calculating your rate. For instance, insurers take into account your credit score to estimate your credit-based insurance score. This scoring system determines the likelihood of a driver filing a claim by calculating the person’s length of credit history, payment history, amount of debt, recent credit inquiries, and accounts in good standing. Unfortunately, drivers with bad credit often pay higher rates. However, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, and Massachusetts do not allow the use of credit to determine rates.
Your driving record is another factor insurance providers consider when calculating your rate. Typically, drivers with a spotless driving record may qualify for discounts for practicing safe driving habits. Additionally, drivers with clean records usually have much lower car insurance rates. On the other hand, people with a history of speeding tickets, driving violations, and at-fault accidents pay more.
Car insurance companies also consider the driver’s gender and marital status. Providers often consider male drivers more risky, resulting in slightly higher rates for them. However, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania outlaw the use of gender in determining insurance rates. At the same time, insurers consider married individuals to be more financially secure and safer drivers. Nonetheless, these two factors may not impact your rate as you grow older.
As mentioned earlier, homeownership plays a role in determining your rate, as most insurance companies allow individuals to bundle their auto and homeowners’ insurance policies. As a result, you may save around 5% to 25% on your premiums with a multi-policy discount.
Lastly, the make and model of your vehicle dramatically impact your premium. Insurance for small and large cars often costs more than other medium-sized vehicles as they are prone to incur or cause more damage in accidents. Newer cars are also expensive to insure as replacing their parts will cost more.
Car insurance providers consider the driver’s age when calculating insurance rates, as some age groups are more prone to getting in accidents and filing claims than others. Teenagers and seniors fall into that category.
CAs a result, insurance rates tend to increase when a driver turns 65 as they may be susceptible to age-related physical and mental changes, making it more challenging to be a safe driver.
Consider the following steps to lower your senior car insurance:
Shop for a new policy with at least three companies to get personalized quotes. You can do so by using our free online request form to receive real-time quotes.
Update your driver status and remove people who no longer drive your vehicle from your policy.
Check with your insurance company’s defensive driver classes to increase your chances of qualifying for a discount.
The make and model of your car play a factor in your rate. So, choose a more affordable one to insure.
Bundle your insurance policies if you own multiple vehicles or assets you want to insure.
Opt for a car with added safety features, such as lane-departure warnings and backup cameras.
Lower your annual mileage.
Auto insurance rates do not necessarily go down when you retire. However, if you no longer commute as much as you used to, you can save money on your car insurance by taking advantage of low-mileage or pay-per-mile insurance plans.
Auto liability coverage is mandatory in most states. Drivers are legally required to obtain at least the minimum liability coverage set by state law. Liability coverage covers two components: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Bodily injury liability pays for the other driver’s injuries if you’re at fault in the accident. Property damage liability covers the damage you cause to another’s property while driving.
Other types of insurance coverage are not mandatory but can provide more security. These include the following:
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance or whose liability limits aren’t enough to cover your resulting damages.
Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your car from events outside your control, like theft, fire, hail, or vandalism.
Collision coverage helps repair or replace your car if you’re involved in an accident with another object, like a vehicle, fence, telephone pole, or mailbox.
Personal injury protection (PIP) helps cover your medical expenses after an accident. It also helps cover other costs incurred by your injuries, like lost income.
Different factors go into determining car insurance rates for seniors. Each insurance provider evaluates drivers based on unique criteria, such as the driver’s age, location, vehicle type, driving history, and credit score. That’s why getting personalized quotes from different companies is essential to find the most affordable senior auto insurance policy available.
Unfortunately, not. While the top high-risk auto insurance companies offer many of the same discount options, eligibility requirements can vary. Before signing up with a provider, check their website to browse available discount options and check qualifications. Conversely, you can use TrySmartly’s online form to receive a high-risk car insurance quote.
If you’ve received a quote from the insurance provider, your eligible discounts should be included in the quote. If you already have a policy, you can check your discounts on the declarations page.
We encourage you to fill out our free online request form to search for quotes from reputable providers in real-time. The process will take a couple of minutes and may result in significant savings.