Key Takeaways
- Auto-Owner and Erie have the best car insurance rates for senior citizens.
- State Farm is cheapest among companies available in every state.
- The average price of auto insurance for 65-year-old drivers is $115 a month.
- A 75-year-old pays 18% more for car insurance than a 65-year-old.
- Seniors can save money on car insurance by completing a defensive driving course.
In this article
Best car insurance companies for senior citizen drivers
Based on a combination of price and customer service ratings, State Farm, Auto-Owners, Erie, American Family and USAA are the best car insurance companies for senior citizen drivers.
Read on to see which car insurance company may be the best fit for you, and make sure to compare quotes from multiple companies when you shop.
State Farm: Best large national company
$92 a month
J.D. Power customer satisfaction score839 out of 1,000
NAIC Complaint Index0.7
AM Best Financial Strength RatingA++
State Farm ranks well in surveys for overall customer satisfaction.
State Farm has the lowest car insurance rates for 65-year-olds in 30 states.
State Farm customers get a dedicated agent who gets to know your insurance needs.
State Farm’s complaint rating of 0.7 is better than average, but worse than other companies in our analysis.
American Family: Best complaint record
$90 a month
J.D. Power customer satisfaction score835 out of 1,000
NAIC Complaint Index0.3
AM Best Financial Strength RatingA
American Family’s complaint rating of 0.3 indicates it had less than one-third as many confirmed complaints as expected for its size in 2022.
American Family’s rates for 65-year-olds is third-lowest nationwide, not counting USAA.
Only available in 19 states.
Auto-Owners: Best rates
$82 a month
J.D. Power customer satisfaction score826 out of 1,000
NAIC Complaint Index0.49
AM Best Financial Strength RatingA++
Lowest average rates for 65-year-old and 75-year-old drivers nationwide, not counting USAA.
Less than half as many confirmed complaints as expected for its size in 2022.
Only available in 26 states.
Overall customer satisfaction rankings are a little below the industry average.
Erie: Best regional company
$83 a month
J.D. Power customer satisfaction score815 out of 1,000
NAIC Complaint Index0.62
AM Best Financial Strength RatingA+
Erie has the lowest average rates for 70-year-old drivers nationwide, not counting USAA.
Erie’s rates for 65-year-olds are second-lowest.
Erie’s A+ AM Best rating for financial strength beats some larger companies.
Comprehensive auto coverage includes up to $75 for locksmith services.
Highest rating for overall customer satisfaction in the Mid-Atlantic and North Central U.S. by J.D. Power.
Only available in 12 states and the District of Columbia.
USAA: Best for military families
$66 a month
J.D. Power customer satisfaction score881 out of 1,000
NAIC Complaint Index0.95
AM Best Financial Strength RatingA++
Senior citizens in the military community can score the lowest rates on car insurance with USAA.
The company backs its low rates up with an industry leading score for overall customer satisfaction.
Convenient online shopping platform complemented by live assistance by phone.
USAA is only available to members of the military community.
USAA’s complaint rating is higher than other companies in our analysis.
USAA does not provide customers with a dedicated agent.
AARP/The Hartford: Best affinity program
The Hartford’s auto insurance program for AARP members includes rates and benefits tailored to the needs of senior drivers.
Reduced rates for qualifying AARP members.
Roadside assistance and towing services included.
No-deductible windshield repairs.
Optional add-ons for accident forgiveness and diminishing deductibles.
Hartford’s overall rates, before AARP discounts, are higher than average for seniors.
Hartford’s rating on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index is 3.96, nearly four times higher than expected for its size.
Get free car insurance quotes from top companies
Highest rated car insurance companies for seniors
J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provide the most important customer service ratings for seniors shopping for car insurance.
J.D. Power’s rankings are based on customer surveys rating auto insurance companies in 11 regions on factors such as claims, policy offerings and price.
USAA has the highest overall satisfaction rating, with its score averaging 881 among the regions in which it is rated. The next-best average scores belong to the Auto Club, 841, and State Farm 839.
USAA is only available to current and former members of the military and their families.
| Company | Overall satisfaction rating |
|---|---|
| USAA* | 881 |
| Auto Club | 841 |
| State Farm | 839 |
| The Hartford | 837 |
| GEICO | 835 |
| American Family | 835 |
| Segment average | 833 |
| Travelers | 829 |
| Mercury | 827 |
| Auto-Owners | 826 |
| Allstate | 824 |
| Progressive | 819 |
| Erie | 815 |
| Farmers | 815 |
| Nationwide | 806 |
| Source: J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, based on average scores for 11 regions. *Only available to current/former military and their families. | |
The NAIC Complaint Index compares insurance companies by confirmed complaints, which are those that lead to a finding of fault. A company with a 2.0 Complaint Index score has twice as many confirmed complaints as expected for its size. One with a 0.5 rating has half as many.
American Family’s Complaint Index rating of 0.3 is lowest, or best, among the companies in our analysis, followed by Farmers, 0.35, and Auto-Owners, 0.49.
| Company | Complaint Index rating |
|---|---|
| American Family | 0.3 |
| Farmers | 0.35 |
| Auto-Owners | 0.49 |
| Travelers | 0.6 |
| Erie | 0.62 |
| Allstate | 0.65 |
| State Farm | 0.7 |
| Auto Club | 0.76 |
| Nationwide | 0.76 |
| Progressive | 0.83 |
| GEICO | 0.91 |
| USAA* | 0.95 |
| Source: National Association of Insurance Commissioners, 2022 data. *Only available to current/former military and their families. | |
Cheapest car insurance companies for senior citizens
Auto-Owners, Erie, American Family and State Farm have the cheapest car insurance rates for senior drivers.
USAA’s rates are actually lowest overall, but USAA is only available to current and former members of the military and their families.
Auto-Owners has the cheapest car insurance rates for 65-year-old drivers, charging rates that average $82 a month. The next-best rates are available from Erie, $83 a month, and American Family, $90 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $82 |
| Erie | $83 |
| American Family | $90 |
| State Farm | $92 |
| Progressive | $114 |
| Nationwide | $126 |
| USAA* | $66 |
| Rates are for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families. | |
Erie has the cheapest car insurance for 70-year-old drivers, charging rates that average $87 a month. Auto-Owners is not far behind, with its rates averaging $88 a month, followed by American Family, $95 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Erie | $87 |
| Auto-Owners | $88 |
| American Family | $95 |
| State Farm | $96 |
| Progressive | $123 |
| Auto Club | $135 |
| USAA* | $71 |
| Rates are for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families. | |
Auto-Owners has the cheapest car insurance for 75-year-olds, charging rates that average $94 a month, followed by Erie, $96 a month, and State Farm, $104 a month.
| Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $94 |
| Erie | $96 |
| State Farm | $104 |
| American Family | $108 |
| Auto Club | $145 |
| Progressive | $149 |
| USAA* | $80 |
| Rates are for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record. Your rates may vary. *Only available to current/former military and their families. | |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors by state
State Farm has the lowest average car insurance rate for seniors in 30 states, not counting USAA. GEICO and Progressive each have the lowest rates in five states.
| State | Company | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | State Farm | $71 |
| Alaska | State Farm | $68 |
| Arizona | State Farm | $87 |
| Arkansas | State Farm | $56 |
| California | GEICO | $88 |
| Colorado | State Farm | $81 |
| Connecticut | Travelers | $100 |
| Delaware | State Farm | $85 |
| Florida | GEICO | $85 |
| Georgia | GA Farm Bureau | $85 |
| Hawaii | GEICO | $53 |
| Idaho | State Farm | $36 |
| Illinois | State Farm | $64 |
| Indiana | State Farm | $50 |
| Iowa | State Farm | $33 |
| Kansas | State Farm | $55 |
| Kentucky | State Farm | $62 |
| Louisiana | State Farm | $130 |
| Maine | State Farm | $41 |
| Maryland | State Farm | $117 |
| Massachusetts | Safety | $54 |
| Michigan | Progressive | $170 |
| Minnesota | State Farm | $55 |
| Mississippi | State Farm | $61 |
| Missouri | State Farm | $63 |
| Montana | State Farm | $54 |
| Nebraska | Progressive | $64 |
| Nevada | State Farm | $87 |
| New Hampshire | Hanover | $22 |
| New Jersey | GEICO | $86 |
| New Mexico | State Farm | $59 |
| New York | Progressive | $98 |
| North Carolina | State Farm | $56 |
| North Dakota | State Farm | $46 |
| Ohio | Progressive | $55 |
| Oklahoma | Progressive | $80 |
| Oregon | State Farm | $91 |
| Pennsylvania | Erie | $77 |
| Rhode Island | Amica | $157 |
| South Carolina | SC Farm Bureau | $78 |
| South Dakota | Farmers | $44 |
| Tennessee | State Farm | $48 |
| Texas | GEICO | $106 |
| Utah | State Farm | $80 |
| Vermont | State Farm | $34 |
| Virginia | VA Farm Bureau | $47 |
| Washington | State Farm | $82 |
| Washington DC | Erie | $77 |
| West Virginia | State Farm | $51 |
| Wisconsin | Secura | $48 |
| Wyoming | State Farm | $49 |
| Rates are for a 65-year-old with good credit and a clean driving record. USAA is not included. | ||
How much is car insurance for senior citizen drivers?
The average cost of car insurance for a 65-year-old driver is $115 a month, which is 6% less than the average rate available to a 35-year-old.
Even though those in their early 60s tend to qualify for lower car insurance rates than those in other age groups, insurance companies begin increasing rates for drivers when they reach their late 60s. For example, the average price of car insurance for 70-year-olds is $123 a month, and 75-year-olds pay an average of $136 a month.
Seniors have slightly higher crash rates than middle-aged drivers. This is the main reason why many see your insurance rates climb in your retirement years.
| Driver age | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| 18 | $493 |
| 35 | $122 |
| 65 | $115 |
| 70 | $123 |
| 75 | $136 |
| Rates are for drivers with good credit and a clean driving record. Your rates may vary. | |
Best car insurance discounts for senior citizens
You can offset a portion of any car insurance rate increases you may see in your senior years by taking advantage of the following discounts.
Defensive driver courses
State Farm, Progressive, GEICO, Farmers and Nationwide are among the insurance companies that offer a car insurance discount to seniors who complete a defensive-driving course.
The discount you get for completing the course often ranges from 5% to 10%, depending on the company. It’s generally best to find out which courses your insurance company approves of before you sign up for one. The choices typically include in-person and online courses.
Low-mileage discount
If you work from home or are retired, find out if your auto insurer offers a low-mileage discount, or look for one that does when you shop.
Several companies knock about 5% off your insurance rates if you drive fewer than 7,500 miles each year, so this discount can make a difference.
If you drive even less frequently, consider switching to a mileage-based insurance program, such as Allstate’s Milewise or Metromile. Where available, these programs charge a per-mile rate for car insurance. The less you drive, the less you pay for car insurance.
Safe-driver programs
Most insurance companies offer a discount to customers of any age who join their safe-driver program. These programs typically provide a smartphone app that monitors your driving and gives you a driving score based on your ability to avoid excessive speeds, hard-braking and using your cell phone while you drive.
If you maintain a high driving score, you may qualify for a subsequent discount when you renew your policy. Although the thought of having an app monitor your driving may feel intrusive, the savings can add up. Some companies offer a 20% discount just for signing up.
Bundling discounts
Bundling your car insurance with your homeowners or renters policy or any other insurance you may need is a time-tested way to save on car insurance at any age.
Are you paying too much for car insurance?
Compare rates to see how much you can save
Other ways for senior citizens to save money on car insurance
Most of the other common ways to save money on car insurance are just as effective for senior citizens as they are for drivers of any other age.
Shop around
It’s always best to shop around for car insurance every few years to make sure you’re getting the best rate.
Even companies that offered you a higher rate just a few years ago may give you a better deal in the future if your credit has improved or a prior incident has come off your record. Insurance companies also continuously adjust their rate policies, which may also enable you to score a better rate in the future than you did in the past.
Comparing quotes is free and relatively easy. You can always stick with your current carrier if you can’t get a better deal from someone else.
Increase your deductible
Raising your deductibles is an easy way to reduce your insurance rate. Our research shows that Increasing your collision and comprehensive deductibles from $500 to $1,000 can shave an average of 9% off your auto insurance premium.
Eliminate coverage you no longer need
If you drive an older vehicle with a low resale value, consider removing collision coverage from your auto policy. The most an insurance company pays on a collision claim is your car’s market value, minus your deductible. If your car is valued at $1,500 and you have a $1,000 deductible, you’ll only receive $500 for a total loss.
You may also save a little more by removing comprehensive coverage from your policy. However, comprehensive coverage is relatively inexpensive and is often worth keeping for the glass coverage it provides.
Avoid small insurance claims
Insurance companies tend to raise your rates after certain types of claims, including collision claims for at-fault accidents. If you bump into a light post or back into a wall, you are often better off paying for any ensuing car repairs yourself.
Maintain a good driving record and credit score
Customers with a clean driving record tend to qualify for the cheapest car insurance rates, and in most states, insurance companies also use your credit history to help determine your rates.
Most companies check your records for incidents dating back three to five years.
Drive a safe car
Most car insurance companies offer a discount to customers whose vehicles have certain safety features, including airbags and antilock braking.
Certain advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection and lane departure warnings, have also been shown to reduce the risk of being in an accident. Although these latter features do not always qualify for an insurance discount, the financial and non-financial benefits of avoiding accidents speak for themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Auto-Owners has the cheapest average car insurance rates for seniors, but it is only available in 26 states. State Farm has the cheapest rates among companies available nationwide. USAA has the cheapest rates for seniors in the military community.
State Farm, American Family and Auto-Owners tend to be the best car insurance companies for seniors, based on a combination of price and customer service ratings. Erie is a strong regional company worth considering, and USAA is best for military families.
Teenage drivers tend to have the highest car insurance rates, because they are considered to be the riskiest drivers. Most drivers see their rates level off in their mid-20s. Middle-aged drivers have the lowest car insurance rates of any age group, but your rates may rise after you turn 65.
Methodology
The rates shown in this article are based on an analysis of quotes provided by Quadrant Information Services for sample drivers in every state and the District of Columbia.
Our sample driver is a male with a clean driving record, good credit and a 2012 Honda Accord LX that he drives for an average of 13,500 miles per year.
Insurance rates reflect the average between minimum- and full-coverage car insurance policies. Minimum-coverage car insurance requirements vary by state. Full-coverage policies exceed each state’s minimum requirements by including the following additional limits, coverages and/or deductibles:
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $100,000
- Collision: $500 deductible
- Comprehensive: $500 deductible
Minimum- and full-coverage policies include uninsured/underinsured motorist and/or personal injury protection in states where these coverages are required.
QuoteWizard.com LLC has made every effort to ensure that the information on this site is correct, but we cannot guarantee that it is free of inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. All content and services provided on or through this site are provided "as is" and "as available" for use. QuoteWizard.com LLC makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of this site or to the information, content, materials, or products included on this site. You expressly agree that your use of this site is at your sole risk.