Senior Citizen Discounts for Car Insurance

Car insurance for seniors: rates, discounts, and more

Senior drivers pay, on average, $1,315 per year or $110 a month for auto insurance. The 60 to 69 age group pays the second-cheapest car insurance rates, behind only those in their 50s.

Saving money is important at any age. But if you're no longer working or are saving for retirement, the need to be fiscally responsible is even more paramount. So, in order to determine the best car insurance company for seniors, we created a user profile for our rate methodology and examined some of the top companies across the U.S.

Read further for more information on car insurance as a senior, including coverage offerings, available discounts and insurance policy details for senior car insurance.

Best car insurance companies for seniors

The Zebra conducted a survey with the intention of understanding carriers from a customer's perspective. We asked how each major carrier held up in online experience, claims satisfaction, ease of use, customer service, trustworthiness, and willingness to recommend. USAA, Erie and American Family all received 4.8 stars from seniors in the overall auto carrier category. 

Which company offers the best value for seniors?

Nationwide — the most affordable company for seniors

At $77 a month, Nationwide is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers in their 60s and can cover all of your bases when it comes to coverage. The company offers some coverage add-ons that can provide more protection beyond a basic policy:

• Roadside assistance
• Rental reimbursement
• Accident forgiveness
• Vanishing deductible
• Gap coverage
• Deductible waiver for total loss
• Towing and labor coverage
  
  

Nationwide auto insurance discounts for seniors

While Nationwide doesn't offer a senior discount, the company offers other discounts for which senior drivers may qualify:

• Multi-policy or bundling
• Safe driver
• Defensive driving course
• Accident-free driving record
• Membership in qualifying alumni or professional organizations

GEICO — best for good drivers

Famous for the tagline, “15 minutes can save you 15% or more on car insurance,” GEICO offers the second cheapest car insurance rates for older drivers on average across all ZIP codes, along with a good number of coverage options beyond the standard suite of collision, comprehensive and liability. These coverage types include:

• Emergency road service
• Rental reimbursement
• Mechanical breakdown coverage
• Accident forgiveness
• Rideshare coverage

However, GEICO may not be the cheapest insurance company for higher-risk drivers with at-fault accidents or tickets on their record, according to our analysis of the best cheap companies. However, if you're a good driver with a clean driving record, consider getting an auto insurance quote with GEICO.

GEICO Prime Time contract

If you are aged 50 or older, you could qualify for a unique contract type from GEICO. This special contract option guarantees policy renewal from year to year and is known as their Prime Time contract. It can be applied either when you first buy a GEICO policy or when it's time to renew. You could be eligible if you meet the following criteria:

• Be 50 years old or older
• Have no drivers in your household under the age of 25
• Be accident- and violation-free for the past three years
• Have no vehicles used for business purposes

Note that this contract type is only valid in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

GEICO car insurance discounts for seniors

GEICO doesn't offer a discount specifically for senior drivers. But the company offers other discounts you could qualify for:

• Defensive driving
• Five-year good driving record
• Retired government or military discount
• Multi-car discount
• Membership or employment in eligible organizations

 

USAA — best for military members and veterans

Only military members, veterans and qualifying family members can acquire insurance through USAA, which is consistently rated as one of the nation's top insurance companies. USAA's rates, on average, also tend to be very affordable. USAA is the third-cheapest company for seniors and charges an average insurance premium of $89 per month. However, the company doesn't offer many coverage add-ons compared to other top insurers:

• Roadside assistance
• Rental reimbursement
• Accident forgiveness
• Car replacement assistance
  
  

USAA discounts for seniors

USAA does not offer a mature or senior discount. In place of this, consider qualifying for these discounts instead:

• Good driving record
• Defensive driving course
• Multi-vehicle discount
• Multi-policy or bundling discount
• Car storage coverage
• Loyalty discount

 

Progressive — best for high-risk drivers

Like the GEICO gecko, Progressive’s Flo is what most people remember about the company. Looking at Progressive's rates, it’s not hard to see why the company is so popular. While not as cheap as Nationwide or GEICO, Progressive is the fourth cheapest option of the eight companies surveyed for seniors, with an average car insurance premium of $559 (or $93 a month). Progressive auto insurance policies can be bolstered with some additional coverages:

• Rental car reimbursement
• Roadside assistance
• Gap coverage
• Accident forgiveness
• Vanishing deductible
• Custom parts and equipment coverage
• Rideshare coverage

One of Progressive's selling points is its SnapShot program. Using a plug-in telematics device, SnapShot offers usage-based coverage, adjusting your auto insurance rates based on your driving habits and mileage.

While Progressive isn't a cheap car insurance company for seniors, it could be among the cheapest if you have citations or accidents on your driving record.

Progressive car insurance senior discounts

While the company doesn’t offer direct insurance discounts for seniors, Progressive has plenty of discounts available to its customers, including:

• Multi-policy
• Multi-car
• Continuous coverage
• Good driver
• Homeowner
• Pay in full
• Autopay

 

State Farm — best for basic coverage

State Farm is the most popular insurance company in the U.S., with local agents all over the nation. Depending on your location, it might be one of the most affordable options. For senior drivers, it's the fifth cheapest insurance company with an average monthly cost of $96. However, State Farm has a limited selection of coverage options if you're looking to get more protection than the typical policy.

• Emergency road service
• Rideshare coverage
• Rental reimbursement
  
  

State Farm senior car insurance discounts

State Farm does not list any specific discounts for senior citizens. Discounts that seniors can take advantage of include:

• Good driving
• Accident-free discount
• Defensive driving course discount
• Vehicle safety
• Multi-car
• Multi-policy or bundling
• Discount for anti-theft device-equipped vehicle

he Hartford — best for full coverage

The Hartford is a unique insurance company, as it's specifically designed for those older than 50 and only available for registered AARP members. The Hartford's customer service and claims satisfaction are very well-regarded, but that comes at a price — it's the third most expensive insurer for seniors according to our data. Still, it's worth considering The Hartford for its coverage options (which come in tiers). AARP auto insurance offers coverages that can be tailored to your needs:

• Car towing coverage
• Rental reimbursement
• Gap insurance
• Full glass coverage
  
  

The Hartford Advantage Program

Enrolling in the Advantage Program at The Hartford brings some improved coverage in the form of these additional protections:

• Auto insurance rate protection for 12 months
• RecoverCare: Post-accident reimbursements for expenses like house cleaning, transportation, dog walking and lawn maintenance
• New car replacement
• Lifetime car repair assistance
• 24/7 claims hotline
  
  

The Hartford Advantage Plus Program

The top tier of coverage from The Hartford includes:

• First accident forgiveness
• Vanishing deductible
• Deductible waiver for not-at-fault accidents
• One deductible if you have two cars on one policy involved in the same accident
• $100 deductible reduction
  
  

The Hartford senior driver insurance discounts

The Hartford offers auto discounts to all its customers, including the following methods of saving:

• Bundling policies
• Defensive driving course
• Paying in full
• Driving a hybrid or electric vehicle
• Driving a vehicle with airbags and anti-theft devices

 

Farmers — best for discounts

Farmers is the second most expensive insurance company for drivers in their 60s and comes with mediocre ratings for customer satisfaction. Like State Farm, Farmers has local agents nationwide for those who prefer personalized service. Coverage from Farmers is quite comprehensive and includes the following:

• Roadside assistance and towing
• Rental car reimbursement
• Rideshare coverage
• Customized equipment
• Glass deductible buyback
• Full glass coverage
• Spare parts coverage
• New car replacement
• Accident forgiveness
• Original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
  
  

Farmers car insurance discounts for seniors

If you're over age 55 and complete a state-approved defensive driving course, you can qualify for Farmers' senior driver discount. Keep in mind discount availability varies by state. Other ones include:

• Multi-policy or bundling discount
• Multi-vehicle
• Membership or employment in certain businesses, occupational groups or professional organizations
• Military discount
• Safe driver
• Homeowner
• Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
• Pay in full
• Driving an electric or hybrid vehicle
• Driving a car equipped with anti-lock brakes (must be factory-installed), anti-theft device, daytime running lights, and passive restraint (airbags or automatic seatbelts), homing or tracking device
• VIN etching

 

Allstate — best for perks

Founded in 1931, Allstate is the most expensive insurance company for seniors. Coverage comes at $158 per month, on average, making Allstate $44 pricier than Farmers. Like State Farm, Allstate has local agents available nationwide and can provide ample protection for elderly drivers and their vehicles:

• Rental reimbursement
• Roadside assistance
• Sound system coverage
• Accident forgiveness
• New car replacement
• Vanishing deductible
• Rideshare coverage

The company also offers a few perks for Allstate policyholders. These benefits are included when you enroll in a policy:

• Allstate Rewards: Earn points for safe driving habits, which can be redeemed for products, gift cards and more. You must enroll in Allstate's Drivewise program (telematics-based) or Milewise (pay-per-mile program), to qualify and start accumulating points.
• Car buying service: Partnering with TrueCar, Allstate will help you find the best deal on your next vehicle.
  
  

Allstate car insurance senior discounts

Similar to the companies detailed above, Allstate’s discounts aren’t directly tailored to senior citizens, yet seniors can still benefit from them. These are some of the insurance discounts available via Allstate that can help lower your car insurance quote substantially.

• New car
• Multi-policy/bundling
• FullPay discount
• eSmart discount (paperless billing)
• Early signing discount
• Responsible payer
• Cars equipped with anti-lock brakes and anti-theft devices
• Autopay
• Safe driving

Cheapest car insurance companies for seniors by state

State	Insurance Company	6-Month Premium
Alaska	GEICO	$431
Alabama	USAA	$424
Arkansas	Shelter	$526
Arizona	GEICO	$385
California	Progressive	$527
Colorado	GEICO	$452
Connecticut	GEICO	$519
Washington D.C.	USAA	$400
Delaware	USAA	$483
Florida	State Farm	$695
Georgia	Progressive	$574
Hawaii	GEICO	$488
Iowa	GEICO	$377
Idaho	State Farm	$384
Illinois	GEICO	$363
Indiana	State Farm	$391
Kansas	Iowa Farm Bureau	$543
Kentucky	GEICO	$474
Louisiana	Southern Farm Bureau	$685
Massachusetts	GEICO	$391
Maryland	GEICO	$458
Maine	Concord	$280
Michigan	Progressive	$580
Minnesota	GEICO	$445
Missouri	Progressive	$562
Mississippi	State Farm	$520
Montana	State Farm	$508
North Carolina	State Farm	$386
North Dakota	Progressive	$442
Nebraska	Iowa Farm Bureau	$596
New Hampshire	Concord	$305
New Jersey	New Jersey Manufacturers	$538
New Mexico	USAA	$418
Nevada	GEICO	$515
New York	Progressive	$398
Ohio	Nationwide	$321
Oklahoma	Progressive	$540
Oregon	Country	$443
Pennsylvania	GEICO	$408
Rhode Island	Travelers	$657
South Carolina	Travelers	$573
South Dakota	State Farm	$523
Tennessee	USAA	$361
Texas	State Farm	$495
Utah	Bear River	$287
Virginia	USAA	$364
Vermont	Concord	$359
Washington	USAA	$419
Wisconsin	GEICO	$279
West Virginia	Erie	$509
Wyoming	USAA	$383

Finding the best value for seniors: what to consider

With all variables constant, Nationwide offered the cheapest car insurance for seniors. However, that doesn't necessarily mean Nationwide will be the best insurance provider for you. If you want some other ideas on how to lower your car insurance rate, see our quick tips below on how to save.

• Bundle your policies: Bundle all home, renters, life insurance or umbrella policies with the same company for potential savings on auto insurance.
• Double-check for discounts: Common auto insurance discounts include paid-in-full, payment by bank account, anti-theft devices, safe/good driver, or green vehicle.
• Double-check your car insurance coverage: Your older vehicle might not need as much insurance coverage as it used to. If the value of your vehicle is less than the premium it takes to protect, consider dropping full coverage. If you don't drive very often, car insurance discounts might also be available for low mileage drivers. Carriers such as Root and Metromile specialize in such coverage, which could help you save.
• Shop around: Follow our lead and sample as many auto insurance companies as possible. Start today with The Zebra. Enter your ZIP code below to see rates in your area!

The cheapest auto insurance may not always be the best auto insurance for your needs. Some insurance providers specifically cater to the needs of older drivers. For instance, an older driver who is an AARP member may find coverage from partner company The Hartford to better meet their insurance needs. If you're seeking cheaper or more robust coverage for senior car insurance, compare quotes by entering your ZIP below to get started.