Car insurance rates can be higher for seniors because providers view age-related changes in vision, cognition and motor skills as risks that could result in more claims.
But you can find reasonably priced coverage at any age, especially with a company that offers ample discounts. If you're a senior shopping for car insurance, you should also look for a provider with key features like an easy claims process and guaranteed renewal.
We've picked the best car insurance companies for seniors, based on price, coverage, availability, customer satisfaction and other factors. (See our methodology on how we chose the best car insurance for seniors.)
Best car insurance for seniors
Find car insurance that's right for you
Best for affordability
Geico Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Geico auto coverage is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It offers 16 discounts and a variety of optional add-ons, such as emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Terms apply.
Read our Geico auto insurance review.
Pros
- Low average rates
- Can buy and manage policies online
- Available nationwide
Cons
- No gap insurance or rideshare insurance
- Fewer branches for in-person services
- Pay-per-mile car insurance not available
Who's this for: Geico has below-average rates for seniors plus discounts that benefit older Americans, including rate reductions for retired government employees and for drivers 50 and over who complete a defensive driving course.
Standout benefits: Geico's Prime Time contract allows drivers 50 and older to get guaranteed renewal, protecting you from being dropped as you get older.
Read more: Geico auto insurance review 2024
Best for new cars
Travelers Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Travelers auto insurance policies are affordable and backed by the sixth largest company for car insurance by market share according to the NAIC. The company also offers a number of discounts to customers, including discounts for bundling, owning a hybrid or electric car, and good student discounts.
Pros
- Sixth largest auto insurer in the U.S. by market share
- Many discounts available
- Low average prices compared to other companies we reviewed
Cons
- Not all discounts available in every state
- Not available in all states
- Below average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
Who's this for: Travelers' new car discount can earn you up to 3% off your premiums if your vehicle is no more than three model years old. It also offers gap coverage, which can pay off the remainder of your car loan if your new ride is totaled or stolen.
Standout benefits: Doing your part for the environment? Travelers offers up to 2% off if you have a hybrid or electric car.
Best for drivers with accidents
Progressive Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote.
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Progressive offers several lines of insurance to allow for bundling and convenient tools to help you keep your policy within your budget.
Terms apply.
Read our Progressive auto insurance review.
Pros
- Available in all 50 states
- Low rates for drivers with DUIs
- Non-owner car insurance and SR-22 certificates available
- Offers vanishing deductible as well as accident forgiveness
Cons
- Below-average customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power
- Above-average number of complaints
- Snapshot safe-driving discount program could result in rates going up
Who's this for: Progressive is a great option for older drivers with a less-than-spotless record — it landed on our list of best car insurance for high-risk drivers.
Standout benefits: Progressive's accident forgiveness program means your rate won't increase for claims under $500. If you stay accident-free for five years, even a larger collision won't raise your premiums.
Read more: Progressive car insurance review 2024
Best for drivers with bad credit
Mercury Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your cost is to get a personalized quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Mercury offers affordable auto insurance and convenient online quotes and claim filing. Discounts are available for anti-theft features, bundling and for paying premiums in full.
Pros
- Affordable rates in California
- Rideshare insurance available under $1 per day
- Repairs made by an authorized garage are guaranteed
Cons
- Auto insurance only available in 11 states
- Rated below average for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power
- No gap insurance coverage
Who's this for? Mercury Insurance is a good fit if you have a less-than-stellar credit score. In July 2024, its average rates in that category were 35% less than the industry average, according to Bankrate.
Standout benefits: With Mercury's optional roadside assistance benefit, you can get help with jump starts, lockouts, flats, towing and gas delivery 24/7. You can even get texts for real-time status updates on your request.
Best for rideshare drivers
Allstate Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Allstate offers full coverage auto insurance in all 50 states, with add-ons like accident forgiveness, rideshare insurance and protection for custom parts and equipment. Allstate's MileWise pay-per-mile plan can save infrequent drivers up to 40% over a traditional policy.
Read our Allstate auto insurance review
Pros
- Highly rated for claims processing by J.D. Power.
- Up to 25% off with Allstate’s Drivewise telematics app
- Pay-per-mile insurance in 18 states.
- Rideshare insurance available
Cons
- Rates are higher than competitors, especially for high-risk drivers
- Rated below average for overall customer satisfaction in most regions
Who's this for? Allstate is one of our top choices for rideshare coverage, if you're taking on a side hustle in retirement. Its Ride for Hire program covers the gap between your personal auto policy and a rideshare company's coverage.
Standout benefits: Allstate's rideshare insurance includes deductible gap coverage, so if you're in an accident while on the job you can pay your personal deductible rather than the one set by the rideshare platform.
Best for occasional drivers
Nationwide Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Nationwide offers near-nationwide availability and personalized services, such as On Your Side® Review, a free annual insurance evaluation to ensure you are adequately protected and are taking advantage of any discounts available to you.
Terms apply.
Pros
- Available in 46 states and the District of Columbia
- Lowest average premiums for full coverage
- Quotes available online
Cons
- High average premium for minimum coverage
- Not available in all states
- Lower than average scores from J.D. Power's customer satisfaction survey
Who's this for? Nationwide offers pay-per-mile insurance, making it ideal if you don't drive as much as you used to.
Standout benefits: With Nationwide's SmartMiles program, your premiums are based on a low flat rate combined with a per-mile cost. According to Nationwide, SmartMiles users who drive 500 a month pay an average of 28% less than they would with a regular policy.
Best for customer service
Auto-Owners Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
Auto-Owners offers affordable premiums with high customer satisfaction ratings. There are 12 different types of discounts available, as well as various other types of insurance besides auto.
Terms apply.
Pros
- Offers at-fault accident forgiveness as an add-on
- High customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power
- Low NAIC complaint index score
Cons
- Only available in 26 states
- Quotes must be obtained through an agent
- Claims must be filed through an agent
Who's this for? Auto-Owners is for drivers who don't want to be treated like a number. It's consistently rated highly for customer service and claims satisfaction by J.D. Power and receives half the number of complaints as other providers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Standout benefits: Auto-Owners allows for a lot of customization, with add-ons like diminished value coverage, rideshare insurance and additional expense coverage. If both your home and your vehicle are damaged, the common loss deductible allows you to reduce or waive the auto deductible.
Best for military members
USAA Auto Insurance
Cost
The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote
App available
Yes
Policy highlights
USAA auto insurance is available to service members, veterans and their families in all 50 states and Washington D.C.. In addition to low rates, USAA offers discounts if you are deployed or store your vehicle on base.
Terms apply.
Read our USAA auto insurance review
Pros
- Cheapest insurer for liability-only coverage
- Stellar customer satisfaction scores
- Track record of financial strength
- Available in all 50 states
Cons
- Limited to military families and veterans
- No brick-and-mortar offices
- Customer service is not available 24/7
- Safe-driver discount not available in every state
Who's this for? USAA is tops for active or retired military and has some of the lowest rates for full coverage in the business. We rated it one of the best low-cost car insurance companies as well as one of the best options overall.
Standout benefits: USAA is available in all 50 states, so if you move in retirement you won't have to look for a new provider.
More on our top car insurance companies for seniors
Geico
Geico has been in business since 1936 and offers coverage in all 50 states. The company is highly rated for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power.
A.M. Best rating
A++
NAIC complaint index
0.70, below average
Travelers
Travelers has been a trusted name in insurance since the 1860s, and still offers excellent options for auto insurance today.
A.M. Best rating
A++
NAIC complaint index
0.20, below average
Progressive
Progressive car insurance is available in all 50 states and has some of the lowest rates for motorists with speeding tickets, accidents or DUIs. It also has discounts that even high-risk drivers can take advantage of, including a multi-car discount averaging 12% and a bundling discount worth an average of 7%.
A.M. Best rating
A++
NAIC complaint index
0.89, below average
Mercury
Mercury specializes in insuring drivers who have found it hard to get coverage elsewhere, but its rates are still affordable.
A.M. Best rating
A
NAIC complaint index
0.25, below average
Allstate
Allstate has been helping Americans get the coverage they need for their homes and cars since the early 1930s.
A.M. Best rating
A+
NAIC complaint index
1.4, above average
Nationwide
Nationwide's SmartMiles pay-per-mile policy is available for most cars manufactured after 1996 and is available in all states except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York and Oklahoma.
A.M. Best rating
A
NAIC complaint index
0.68, below average
Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners is active in 26 states and has an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. In addition to auto coverage, the company sells home, life and business insurance.
A.M. Best rating
A++
NAIC complaint index
0.49, below average
USAA
USAA policies are available in all 50 states but only to active military, veterans and their immediate family members. It routinely receives high marks for customer satisfaction and financial strength and has a perfect A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau.
A.M. Best rating
A++
NAIC complaint index
0.70, below average
Is car insurance higher for seniors?
Rates begin to creep up once you hit your mid-60s: The average full-coverage premium for a 70-year-old male is $2,001, or about $170 more than for a 60-year-old. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal crashes increase noticeably starting with drivers 70 to 74 and are highest among drivers 85 and older.
But age is only one factor impacting how much you pay for insurance. A good driving record and credit history can go a long way to keeping your rates down.
How seniors can save on car insurance
There are numerous things you can do to keep your premiums from increasing along with the number of candles on your birthday cake.
Shop for a new policy
No two insurers will offer you the same rate, so it's worth getting quotes from several providers — especially if you have good credit, a good driving record or own your home. Geico's Prime Time contract can provide guaranteed renewal if you're at least 50, have no drivers under 25 on your policy and no violations in the last three years.
Sign up for a safe driving course
Farmers, Geico, USAA, State Farm and AAA are among the insurance companies that offer discounts to drivers 55 and older if they complete a state-approved defensive-driving course. Depending on the provider and your state, you may be able to take the class online.
Bundle your home and auto insurance
Getting homeowners insurance from the same company that issued you car insurance can lower your premiums. Allstate has one of the best bundling discounts in the industry, with savings of up to 25% a year when you bundle home and auto online.
Raise your deductible
When you file a claim, your deductible is the amount you're responsible for before your insurance kicks in. Increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by up to 30%, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Upping it to $1,000 could save you 40% or more.
If you don't think you can pay more out of pocket — or have a spotty driving record — this isn't the strategy for you.
FAQs
Is car insurance more expensive for seniors?
The cost of car insurance begins to increase at age 65. A full-coverage policy for a 70-year-old male averages about $170 more than for a 60-year-old.
At what age do car insurance rates increase?
In most states, average premiums begin to increase around age 70. Hawaii and Massachusetts do not allow age to be a factor in auto insurance rates, although carriers in Massachusetts can consider the number of years you've been a licensed driver.
Why do seniors pay more for car insurance?
Older drivers are considered higher risk by insurance companies because age-related changes in vision, hearing, cognition and physical functioning can impair driving ability, according to the Centers for Disease Control, as can certain medications.
What is the cheapest car insurance for senior citizens?
Erie had the lowest average premium for full coverage insurance for seniors in July 2024, but it is only available in 12 states and Washington, D.C. Auto-Owners is also among the least expensive options, and it's available in more than twice as many states — landing it on our list of best car insurance for seniors.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every car insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best car insurance for seniors.
Our methodology
To determine the best car insurance for seniors, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of providers and compared them based on various factors, including cost, coverage, availability and customer service.
While narrowing down the best companies, we focused on a sample annual premium from Bankrate for a 70-year-old driver with a clean driving record, good credit, and a 2020 Toyota Camry driven 12,000 miles annually with the following coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
From there, we looked at the availability and amount of discounts for older drivers and considered customer satisfaction data from the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power's 2023 auto claims satisfaction study and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Note: Premiums and policy structures cited for auto insurance companies can fluctuate per company policy.
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