Updated Feb. 20, 2023
Car insurance is a must-have for all drivers, and that includes senior citizens. The cost of car insurance for seniors varies depending on several factors, including their driving history, location, vehicle make and model, and more. Here's a look at some of the best car insurance for seniors, along with advice on how seniors can keep their rates low.
The Ascent's picks for best car insurance for seniors
- State Farm: Best overall car insurance for seniors
- Geico: Best cheap car insurance for seniors
- Allstate: Best for customizable policies
- Nationwide: Best for safe drivers
- 21st Century: Best for California residents
- The Hartford: Best for AARP members
2023 Award Winner
State Farm
Best overall car insurance for seniorsState Farm
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorBottom Line
State Farm doesn't have offerings that cater specifically to seniors, but it's one of the best options for them anyway because it handles everything well. It's an industry leader in customer satisfaction, and it has a nationwide network of agents to complement its online account management tools.
Its policies are flexible and competitively priced, particularly for seniors who have an accident history. There are a number of discounts and safe driver programs seniors can enroll in to shave even more money off their car insurance premiums.
2023 Award Winner
Geico
Best cheap car insurance for seniorsGeico
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorBottom Line
GEICO is known for offering cheap car insurance to seniors in just about every state. Though it doesn't have a senior discount, it offers drivers many ways to save on their premiums. The company is also transparent about how much each discount will lower a driver's rates.
GEICO doesn't offer as many optional protections as some of its competitors, but it provides all the basics a driver would expect. Most seniors should be able to find the coverage they're looking for here.
2023 Award Winner
Allstate
Best for customizable policiesAllstate
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorBottom Line
Few insurers can match Allstate in terms of customization. It offers a number of coverage options that go beyond the basics to help each driver build a policy that suits them. Some of these options, including roadside assistance and rental reimbursement coverage, may be especially appealing to seniors who travel frequently.
Allstate's rates aren't typically as competitive as those of some insurers listed here, but seniors who qualify for some of Allstate's many discounts may secure an affordable premium.
Nationwide
Best for safe driversNationwide
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorBottom Line
Nationwide could prove to be an affordable option for seniors with clean driving records. It offers safe driving discounts, as well as discounts for drivers who enroll in its monitoring program. Plus, there's a "Vanishing Deductible" option for those who go one or more policy periods without an accident.
Nationwide's selection of policy options is pretty comprehensive, and it's one of the few car insurance providers offering gap coverage. This pays off a driver's lease or loan if their car is totaled. This could provide huge peace of mind for seniors on a fixed income.
21st Century
Best for California residents21st Century
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorBottom Line
21st Century offers competitive auto insurance for senior citizens, but its policies are only available in California at the moment. Those living in other states will have to explore other options on this list.
Seniors looking for the best California car insurance will find comprehensive coverage, strong customer service, and a mature-driver discount with 21st Century. There's no limit on how many discounts drivers can apply to a policy, so those who qualify for multiple discounts could score an even better rate.
The Hartford
Best for AARP membersThe Hartford
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = PoorBottom Line
The Hartford is a popular choice for those seeking car insurance for seniors. It offers flexible policies with extras you don't find anywhere else, plus some of the best claims satisfaction in the industry. But these policies are only available to AARP members.
Joining AARP is an extra hoop to jump through, but those who purchase a car insurance policy from The Hartford will probably find it worthwhile. In addition to basic protections for vehicles, they also get perks like RecoverCare, which helps pay for daily tasks for drivers recovering from car-accident injuries. Customers can also contact The Hartford for assistance finding a repair shop.
How is car insurance different for seniors?
Car insurance for seniors is essentially the same as car insurance for other drivers. But seniors typically pay less because they're seen as less risky drivers than some younger adults. Some car insurance companies offer discounts to seniors, which helps shave even more off their rates.
How much does car insurance cost for seniors?
While the typical U.S. driver pays about $2,646 per year for car insurance, the average 65-year-old driver pays just $1,979 annually. But rates vary significantly by state. Here's a look at the average cost of car insurance for seniors in every state.
| State | Car Insurance Cost for Seniors |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,808 |
| Alaska | $1,394 |
| Arizona | $2,021 |
| Arkansas | $1,977 |
| California | $1,835 |
| Colorado | $1,912 |
| Connecticut | $2,560 |
| Delaware | $2,274 |
| District of Columbia | $2,290 |
| Florida | $2,685 |
| Georgia | $2,066 |
| Hawaii | $1,078 |
| Idaho | $1,366 |
| Illinois | $1,616 |
| Indiana | $1,378 |
| Iowa | $1,328 |
| Kansas | $1,762 |
| Kentucky | $2,415 |
| Louisiana | $3,379 |
| Maine | $1,699 |
| Maryland | $2,233 |
| Massachusetts | $1,272 |
| Michigan | $3,766 |
| Minnesota | $2,024 |
| Mississippi | $1,745 |
| Missouri | $1,886 |
| Montana | $1,903 |
| Nebraska | $1,988 |
| Nevada | $2,110 |
| New Hampshire | $1,776 |
| New Jersey | $2,769 |
| New Mexico | $1,532 |
| New York | $3,088 |
| North Carolina | $1,275 |
| North Dakota | $1,868 |
| Ohio | $1,160 |
| Oklahoma | $2,022 |
| Oregon | $1,599 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,773 |
| Rhode Island | $2,534 |
| South Carolina | $2,227 |
| South Dakota | $1,991 |
| Tennessee | $1,631 |
| Texas | $2,110 |
| Utah | $1,732 |
| Vermont | $1,449 |
| Virginia | $1,604 |
| Washington | $1,473 |
| West Virginia | $1,890 |
| Wisconsin | $1,497 |
| Wyoming | $1,836 |
Source: Quadrant data.
How seniors can lower the cost of car insurance
Here are a few things seniors can do to lower the cost of auto insurance:
- Drive safely. Safe drivers pay less for car insurance than those with tickets and accident histories. This is the single most important thing any driver can do to lower rates.
- Shop around. Get quotes from several companies to see which offers the best rate. Each company evaluates a driver's application a little differently, so each company offers a different rate.
- Look for senior discounts. Some companies offer discounts to seniors. This isn't a guarantee that they'll offer more affordable rates than insurers without senior discounts, but it doesn't hurt to check them out.
- Choose a higher deductible. Deductibles are the out-of-pocket costs drivers pay if they have to file a claim. Choosing a higher deductible usually lowers monthly premiums.
| Offer | Best For | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
State Farm
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best overall car insurance for seniors | |
Geico
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best cheap car insurance for seniors | |
Allstate
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for customizable policies | |
Nationwide
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for safe drivers | |
21st Century
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for California residents | |
The Hartford
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for AARP members |
FAQs
-
Car insurance for seniors is usually more affordable than car insurance for younger drivers. However, the individual driver's place of residence, vehicle make and model, and driving history are also taken into account.
-
A few car insurance companies offer senior discounts. Sometimes, they are referred to as "mature driver" discounts. But having one of these is not a guarantee of an affordable rate.
Our Insurance Expert
Kailey Hagen has been writing about small businesses and finance for almost 10 years, with her work appearing on USA Today, CNN Money, Fox Business, and MSN Money. She specializes in personal and business bank accounts and software for small to medium-size businesses. She lives on what's almost a farm in northern Wisconsin with her husband and three dogs.
Share This Page
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Kailey Hagen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters.
Copyright © 2018 - 2023 The Ascent. All rights reserved.
About The Ascent
Legal