Key Takeaways
- Travelers offers the cheapest full-coverage insurance for seniors at $1,753 per year or $146 per month.
- USAA offers affordable full-coverage insurance for military-affiliated seniors at $1,840 per year or $153 per month.
- Nationwide is also an excellent choice for seniors in need of usage-based car insurance.
Even though the cost of auto coverage tends to go up after retirement age, you can still find cheap car insurance for seniors with quality coverage. We at the MarketWatch Guides team studied the best car insurance companies in the country to see which ones offer the strongest combination of affordable rates, good coverage, reputation and customer service for senior drivers. Here’s what we found out.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Answer a few simple questions to save money on your policy
Check Availability With our comparison partner, 
×
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks
With our comparison partner, 
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
Best Car Insurance Rates for Seniors
We use extensive research to provide the most accurate insurance quotes for drivers with various backgrounds. In the table below, we cover the average monthly and annual full-coverage costs for seniors ages 65 to 75. According to our data, Travelers generally offers the cheapest senior car insurance at an average rate of $1,753 per year or $146 per month for full coverage:
| Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $146 | $1,753 |
| USAA | $153 | $1,840 |
| Nationwide | $156 | $1,871 |
| Geico | $176 | $2,113 |
| Progressive | $192 | $2,302 |
Page 1 of
Our data shows seniors pay an average of $2,606 per year or $217 per month. You can see that our top picks all offer cheaper rates than these.
Cheapest Minimum Coverage Rates for Seniors
Looking at minimum coverage, USAA and Geico offer the cheapest rates for national providers. Minimum coverage only compensates other people for damage you cause in accidents, it doesn’t cover your vehicle or medical bills.
| Cheapest Minimum Coverage | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $47 | $561 |
| Geico | $59 | $705 |
| Travelers | $61 | $736 |
| Nationwide | $69 | $826 |
| Progressive | $76 | $917 |
Page 1 of
Full-Coverage Rates for 65-Year-Olds
We found that Travelers tends to offer the cheapest car insurance for 65-year-old drivers at an average cost estimate of $1,624 per year or $135 per month for full-coverage car insurance.
| Cheapest Senior Car Insurance for 65-Year-Olds | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $135 | $1,624 |
| USAA | $142 | $1,698 |
| Nationwide | $148 | $1,773 |
| Geico | $162 | $1,940 |
| Progressive | $174 | $2,089 |
Page 1 of
Full-Coverage Rates for 75-Year-Olds
Our research shows that Travelers typically offers the cheapest full-coverage rates for 75-year-old drivers at an estimated $1,882 per year or $157 per month:
| Cheapest Car Insurance for 75-Year-Olds | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $157 | $1,882 |
| Nationwide | $164 | $1,969 |
| USAA | $165 | $1,982 |
| Geico | $190 | $2,285 |
| Progressive | $210 | $2,516 |
Page 1 of
Cheap Senior Car Insurance for 65-Year-Olds by State
The table below shows the cost of full-coverage car insurance by state for 65-year-old drivers:
| Senior Car Insurance for 65-Year-Olds | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $155 | $1,864 |
| Alaska | $167 | $2,006 |
| Arizona | $242 | $2,907 |
| Arkansas | $179 | $2,152 |
| California | $260 | $3,120 |
| Colorado | $216 | $2,589 |
| Connecticut | $253 | $3,034 |
| Delaware | $250 | $3,001 |
| District of Columbia | $208 | $2,502 |
| Florida | $300 | $3,603 |
| Georgia | $209 | $2,509 |
| Hawaii | $132 | $1,580 |
| Idaho | $118 | $1,418 |
| Illinois | $201 | $2,411 |
| Indiana | $149 | $1,792 |
| Iowa | $141 | $1,689 |
| Kansas | $181 | $2,176 |
| Kentucky | $199 | $2,389 |
| Louisiana | $378 | $4,532 |
| Maine | $108 | $1,292 |
| Maryland | $238 | $2,856 |
| Massachusetts | $180 | $2,156 |
| Michigan | $386 | $4,628 |
| Minnesota | $179 | $2,146 |
| Mississippi | $149 | $1,783 |
| Missouri | $173 | $2,074 |
| Montana | $173 | $2,074 |
| Nebraska | $151 | $1,808 |
| Nevada | $336 | $4,038 |
| New Hampshire | $138 | $1,652 |
| New Jersey | $235 | $2,816 |
| New Mexico | $185 | $2,226 |
| New York | $415 | $4,976 |
| North Carolina | $185 | $2,223 |
| North Dakota | $150 | $1,798 |
| Ohio | $123 | $1,478 |
| Oklahoma | $204 | $2,452 |
| Oregon | $183 | $2,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $319 | $3,826 |
| Rhode Island | $258 | $3,091 |
| South Carolina | $167 | $2,004 |
| South Dakota | $169 | $2,028 |
| Tennessee | $176 | $2,110 |
| Texas | $226 | $2,712 |
| Utah | $207 | $2,483 |
| Vermont | $101 | $1,206 |
| Virginia | $150 | $1,799 |
| Washington | $171 | $2,049 |
| West Virginia | $169 | $2,029 |
| Wisconsin | $161 | $1,934 |
| Wyoming | $144 | $1,729 |
Cheap Senior Car Insurance for 75-Year-Olds by State
The table below shows the cost of full-coverage car insurance by state for 75-year-old drivers:
| Senior Car Insurance for 75-Year-Olds | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $186 | $2,237 |
| Alaska | $203 | $2,432 |
| Arizona | $287 | $3,444 |
| Arkansas | $208 | $2,501 |
| California | $260 | $3,120 |
| Colorado | $257 | $3,087 |
| Connecticut | $310 | $3,718 |
| Delaware | $291 | $3,492 |
| District of Columbia | $246 | $2,946 |
| Florida | $349 | $4,185 |
| Georgia | $252 | $3,026 |
| Hawaii | $132 | $1,580 |
| Idaho | $139 | $1,670 |
| Illinois | $242 | $2,904 |
| Indiana | $183 | $2,199 |
| Iowa | $162 | $1,945 |
| Kansas | $205 | $2,457 |
| Kentucky | $238 | $2,853 |
| Louisiana | $376 | $4,511 |
| Maine | $111 | $1,327 |
| Maryland | $242 | $2,907 |
| Massachusetts | $180 | $2,156 |
| Michigan | $442 | $5,305 |
| Minnesota | $213 | $2,556 |
| Mississippi | $177 | $2,129 |
| Missouri | $202 | $2,427 |
| Montana | $212 | $2,546 |
| Nebraska | $171 | $2,052 |
| Nevada | $407 | $4,885 |
| New Hampshire | $169 | $2,027 |
| New Jersey | $261 | $3,128 |
| New Mexico | $213 | $2,552 |
| New York | $486 | $5,833 |
| North Carolina | $187 | $2,250 |
| North Dakota | $171 | $2,048 |
| Ohio | $152 | $1,822 |
| Oklahoma | $229 | $2,746 |
| Oregon | $220 | $2,638 |
| Pennsylvania | $396 | $4,756 |
| Rhode Island | $275 | $3,302 |
| South Carolina | $194 | $2,330 |
| South Dakota | $186 | $2,232 |
| Tennessee | $211 | $2,530 |
| Texas | $262 | $3,143 |
| Utah | $249 | $2,983 |
| Vermont | $128 | $1,540 |
| Virginia | $178 | $2,139 |
| Washington | $203 | $2,441 |
| West Virginia | $202 | $2,421 |
| Wisconsin | $193 | $2,317 |
| Wyoming | $168 | $2,010 |
Page 1 of
Companies With the Best Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors
While finding affordable car insurance for senior citizens is important, your provider should also be helpful and reliable. We determined the following providers have the best auto insurance with cheap rates for older drivers.
The table below provides a breakdown of our top five picks for car insurance providers that offer a compelling combination of great rates, quality coverage and exceptional customer service for seniors:
| Car Insurance Company | Our Rating | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Travelers | 9.5 | Best for Most Drivers |
| 2. USAA | 9.3 | Best for Military Members |
| 3. Nationwide | 9.2 | Best for Usage-Based Insurance |
| 4. Geico | 9.3 | Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers |
| 5. Progressive | 9.4 | Best for Tech-Savvy Drivers |
Page 1 of
To determine our ratings and awards for these providers, we considered customer reviews across multiple sites and ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), AM Best and the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠.
#1 Travelers
9.5/10
Overview
Availability: 50 states
AM Best rating: A++
BBB rating: A
J.D. Power score: 680/1,000
Senior drivers looking for cheap car insurance with lots of choices should consider Travelers. The company has one of the largest selections of coverage options among providers in our study.
Keep reading: Travelers Insurance Review
Cost & Coverage
Travelers offers affordable rates for seniors at around $146 per month. Senior drivers who don’t own cars but rent them often while traveling may find non-owner insurance cheaper than the rental company’s insurance. In addition, Travelers’ accident forgiveness program could be a useful add-on for drivers worried about their car insurance premiums increasing.
Travelers has an array of add-ons like roadside assistance and rental car coverage. You can also get gap insurance to help cover the difference between what you owe on an auto loan and the car’s market value in the event of a total loss.
#2 USAA
9.3/10
Overview
Availability: All 50 states
AM Best rating: A++
BBB rating: A+
J.D. Power score: 711/1,000
USAA may be the first place you want to look for cheap car insurance for seniors — but only if you’re eligible. The company’s coverage and its affordable rates are only available to military members and their families.
Keep reading: USAA Insurance ReviewCompare: USAA vs. Geico
Cost & Coverage
If you do qualify, however, you can expect to find some of the best rates for senior drivers with USAA. Our data shows seniors pay $153 per month with USAA. The company consistently performs at or near the top of insurance studies and has a robust selection of insurance products to choose from.
Insurance add-ons include roadside assistance and rental car reimbursem*nt. You can also get car replacement assistance, which pays you 20% more than your car is worth in the event of a total loss.
#3 Nationwide
9.2/10
Overview
Availability: 46 states
AM Best rating: A
BBB rating: A+
J.D. Power score: 664/1,000
Nationwide is another great option for senior car insurance. The company offers affordable rates and has some unique programs for saving money.
Keep reading: Nationwide Insurance Review
Compare: State Farm vs. Nationwide
Cost & Coverage
Nationwide has relatively cheap insurance rates for seniors at about $156 per month. Senior drivers may be able to take advantage of the company’s usage-based SmartMiles program. People who don’t drive as much (such as retirees) could pay up to 40% less for coverage, according to Nationwide.
Nationwide’s insurance add-ons include gap insurance, rental coverage, roadside assistance and accident forgiveness. With the vanishing deductible option, your deductible will decrease by $100 for every year of safe driving. The total loss deductible waiver option can also take away the deductible if you total the car.
#4 Geico
9.3/10
Overview
Availability: All 50 states
AM Best rating: A++
BBB rating: A+
J.D. Power score: 656/1,000
Geico consistently offers some of the cheapest car insurance rates in the country for many kinds of drivers, including seniors. This is why we give it our award of Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers.
Keep reading: Geico Insurance Review
Cost & Coverage
With an average monthly rate of $176, Geico is an affordable option for seniors. Geico is also one of several to offer specific car insurance for senior drivers. Geico’s Prime Time program is available to certain drivers over the age of 50. Essentially, this program guarantees your policy can be renewed.
Besides the standard coverage options, Geico offers roadside assistance, rental car coverage and mechanical breakdown insurance. The last option is similar to an extended warranty because it covers repairs from mechanical failures on your vehicle.
#5 Progressive
9.4/10
Overview
Availability: 50 states
AM Best rating: A+
BBB rating: A
J.D. Power score: 678/1,000
Progressive rounds out our picks for the best car insurance for seniors. It offers affordable rates plus some helpful coverage options like custom parts coverage or classic car insurance.
Keep reading: Progressive Insurance ReviewCompare: Geico vs. Progressive or USAA vs. Progressive
Cost & Coverage
According to our data, senior drivers pay about $192 per month for coverage with Progressive, which is just below the industry average of $217. Seniors who don’t drive much and who practice safe driving habits can get discounts with the Snapshot usage-based program.
Progressive stands out for offering a wide range of coverage options. You can get roadside assistance, rental car coverage, pet injury coverage, custom parts insurance and more from the provider.
Average Senior Car Insurance Rates
On average, 65-year-olds pay slightly less than 35-year-olds for full-coverage insurance. Rates for 75-year-olds are more expensive, however. Below, you can see how average rates change by age.
| Age | Annual Full-Coverage Average Rate | Annual Minimum-Coverage Average Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $6,226 | $3,378 |
| 25 | $3,070 | $1,009 |
| 35 | $2,681 | $869 |
| 45 | $2,565 | $865 |
| 55 | $2,375 | $804 |
| 65 | $2,425 | $844 |
| 75 | $2,788 | $1,004 |
Page 1 of
What Factors Affect Senior Car Insurance Rates?
Your age is just one of the many factors insurance companies use to determine your premiums. These are the most significant factors other than age that affect the cost of car insurance:
- Driving history: Any at-fault accidents or violations such as speeding tickets and DUIs can result in higher premiums. People with good driving records get access to the cheapest rates.
- Credit score: In most states, insurance companies are allowed to use your credit history as a factor in your rates. Drivers with lower credit scores tend to see higher premiums.
- Location: Insurance rates vary from state to state, but they also vary within states based on risk factors such as population and climate. For example, drivers in rural areas tend to pay less than those in urban areas.
- Gender: Most states allow insurers to adjust their rates based on the gender listed on your driver’s license.
- Deductible: A higher deductible usually means a lower premium, but you’ll have to pay more out of pocket when you file a claim.
- Vehicle: The make, model, mileage and value of your vehicle also impact your insurance rates.
- Coverage options: The types and amount of coverage you have also influence how much you pay. As your coverage increases, so does your premium.
- Discounts: Most insurance companies offer discounts for a variety of situations and drivers.
Types of Car Insurance for Seniors
Most insurance companies have a large number of coverage options to choose from. To legally drive in most places, you’ll at least need to meet the state minimum-coverage requirements.
These vary between states, but they typically include a combination of liability insurance and other standard coverages:
- Bodily injury (BI) liability insurance: This will cover medical expenses and lost wages for other parties in an accident you’re at fault for.
- Property damage (PD) liability insurance: This covers damages to the vehicles and other personal property in an accident you’re at fault for.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): This takes care of you and your passengers’ medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused an accident.
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay): This will cover you and your passengers’ medical expenses (but not lost wages) no matter who is at fault for an accident.
- Collision insurance: Damages to your vehicle will be covered regardless of who is at fault for an accident.
- Comprehensive insurance: This covers vehicle damages caused by things other than car accidents, such as theft, vandalism or extreme weather.
- Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance: This covers medical and property damages if an at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance.
Insurance Coverage Add-ons
Insurers also have policy add-ons that cover other costs related to owning and driving a car, many of which can be useful for older drivers. Here are a few of the most common:
- Rental car insurance: This covers some or all of the cost of a rental car while your car is being repaired or replaced following an accident.
- Roadside assistance: This covers some or all of the cost of emergency services like fuel delivery, tire repair or replacement and towing.
- Accident forgiveness: This keeps your premiums from going up following an accident you’re at fault for.
- Gap insurance: This pays for the difference between the value of your vehicle and what you owe on it in a total loss.
- New car replacement: This gives you money to purchase a new car of the same make and model instead of the depreciated value in a total loss, minus your deductible.
- Loan/lease payoff: This pays off the remaining balance of your loan or lease, minus your deductible, in the event of a total loss.
- Total loss deductible waiver: This covers your deductible in the event of a total loss.
Car Insurance Discounts for Seniors
Auto insurance discounts are a good way for mature drivers to save money on coverage. Insurers offer savings opportunities for a wide range of reasons. However, you aren’t likely to find a senior discount based solely on your age, as your age group is one of the main factors in your premiums.
But there are still plenty of opportunities to save for other reasons. Below are some of the most common discounts in the car insurance industry.
- Bundling: Insurers typically offer discounts for bundling your auto policy with other insurance products like life insurance, homeowners insurance or renters insurance.
- Multi-policy: You can often earn a discount by insuring more than one vehicle under the same policy.
- Good driver: Also referred to as a safe driving discount, this discount can get you lower rates if you don’t have violations or accidents for a set period of time.
- Safety feature: Having safety features such as additional air bags and anti-lock brakes on your vehicle can earn you a policy discount.
- Anti-theft: Many companies offer discounts for having car alarms and other anti-theft devices installed on your vehicle.
- Accident-free: You can typically earn a discount by going for a set period of time without getting into a car accident.
- Telematics: Many insurers now offer app-based programs that use your phone’s GPS and other capabilities to monitor your driving habits, rewarding you for safe driving with a discount. However, if your driving is unsafe, rates can go up under some programs.
How To Get Cheap Car Insurance for Senior Citizens
You can’t do anything about your age or what insurers charge senior drivers. But there are some things you can do to try to get the best rates.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
Many insurance companies offer policy discounts for taking a safe driving course. You may see this referred to as a “safe driver discount” or something similar. Taking these courses can help you avoid accidents and violations, which would cause your rates to go up.
Change Your Driver Status
If you’ve recently retired and stopped commuting to work, you may be able to save money on car insurance by changing your status. Many companies offer a discount when you switch from being a commuter to someone who drives their car for pleasure.
Consider Usage-based Insurance
Usage-based car insurance policies that charge by the mile rather than on a flat rate are becoming increasingly popular. For low-mileage drivers, this kind of policy could help you get cheap car insurance. However, if you drive more than you planned on, you could pay more than you would with a flat rate.
Look for Discounts
Car insurance companies typically offer a wide range of discount opportunities. Depending on the provider, you may be able to combine more than one of them. As a result, you could see substantial savings on your policy. Before signing up for your next policy, ask an insurance agent which discounts are available to you.
Consider Speciality Car Insurance for Seniors
Some insurers offer special insurance packages that are designed for senior drivers. These options may fit your needs better and cost less than general car insurance for all ages.
Shop Around
No one company will have the cheapest rates for all senior drivers, so your best bet for finding the cheapest auto insurance is to compare free quotes from providers. These days, getting car insurance quotes online is easy, fast and free.
Car Insurance for Seniors: The Bottom Line
You can find cheap car insurance for seniors with many major providers. We found the cheapest coverage for senior citizens with Travelers, USAA, Nationwide, Geico and Progressive. But you may want to check with local providers as well. It’s always good to get quotes from a variety of providers and compare car insurance rates before making a decision.
Compare Car Insurance Rates
Get matched with a top provider and compare instant quotes in just a few clicks
With our comparison partner,
Best Auto Insurance for Seniors: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about car insurance for seniors:
We rated Geico as the best car insurance for seniors. The company tends to offer some of the cheapest rates for senior drivers and has a strong reputation among customers and industry professionals.
The best auto insurance company for seniors will depend on the driver’s specific situation and driving history. However, we found that Travelers, USAA, Nationwide, Geico and Progressive tend to be good options for most senior citizens.
Travelers offers the cheapest full-coverage insurance with average rates of $1,753 per year or $135 per month. Geico offers the cheapest minimum-coverage rates of $705 per year or $59 per month. USAA offers cheaper coverage for military members and their families.
Nationally, seniors pay an average of $2,606 yearly or $217 per month for a full-coverage car insurance policy. Rates may vary by location, driving record and other factors.
The cost of car insurance is likely to increase at age 70. In general, insurance premiums tend to go up as drivers get older and move out of the middle-age category.
The AARP recommends its own insurance program for its members, sold and administered by The Hartford. The company offers special rates for AARP members and additional perks and discount opportunities.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Coverage (30% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Cost and Discounts (25% of total score): Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities are both taken into consideration.
- Industry Standing (20% of total score): Our research team considers market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Experience (15% of total score): This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Availability (10% of total score): Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements score highest in this category.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 130+ companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
*Disclaimer: The cost data above comes from Quadrant Information Services and applies to rates for senior drivers in 2022.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at [email protected].
