Best Auto Insurance for Seniors in 2025

The American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) has been serving Americans over the age of 50 for more than half a century. On top of that, AARP has offered car insurance through its partnership with The Hartford since 1984.

Although you don’t need to be an AARP member to sign up for auto insurance with The Hartford, its unique senior program is exclusive to AARP members. We like the AARP auto insurance program with The Hartford for its wide range of coverage options, discounts, benefits, and customer support services for seniors specifically.

AARP Membership Benefits

When you buy a policy from The Hartford, you gain access to a robust set of AARP membership benefits on top of your auto insurance. From European rail tour deals and AARP travel guides to hotel deals and a variety of health and wellness benefits, your membership provides far more than just auto insurance. For example, your membership comes with a safe buying program that provides you with recommendations on the newest car safety features. Your membership opens you up to the following:

• Rental car discounts
• Exclusive AARP cruise tours
• Flights and vacation packages
• Hotel and resort packages
• Dental, health, and vision bundling options
• Shopping and grocery deals
• Restaurant discounts
• The AARP Social Security Resource Center for help with retirement
• Access to the AARP job boards
• Access to the AARP magazine

Additional Car Support and Services

Not only does the AARP have dedicated customer service representatives available 24/7, but it also has a number of safety nets in case of an emergency. For example, members can benefit from lifetime car repair assurance. If you use one of AARP’s more than 1,600 auto repair shops, AARP will pay for any unsuccessful repairs.

Another great support service is RecoverCare Essential Services Coverage, which provides you with a $2,500 reimbursement for household services if you’re hurt in an accident. That money can go to tasks like cleaning, lawn maintenance, snow removal, and household repairs.

Long List of Discounts

The AARP’s auto insurance program with The Hartford may not be the cheapest provider on our list, but it has one of the longest lists of discounts available to seniors. You can lower your auto insurance costs with the following discounts:

• 5 percent off with an anti-locking braking system
• 10 percent off with the installation of an anti-theft system
• Up to 12 percent off if you complete the TrueLane safe driving program
• Paying in full as opposed to monthly
• Up to 8 percent off for requesting a quote online
• Hybrid and electric car (not available for Teslas)

With an average annual rate of $1,462 for seniors, USAA offers the cheapest auto insurance for seniors of any of our providers. Membership is exclusive to military personnel, veterans, and their families. If you qualify, you can get some of the cheapest auto insurance rates in the country, exclusive USAA benefits, and financial support for investments and retirement. Additionally, once you sign up for membership, your children and grandchildren can become members and take advantage of USAA’s insurance offerings and financial services.

USAA Membership Benefits

Similar to AARP, the USAA offers several membership benefits to go along with your car insurance. These benefits become available to you as soon as you become a member, but the specific offerings will differ from state to state. Some of the most notable USAA membership perks include the following:

• Financial advice for managing debt, planning for retirement, buying a home, saving, investing, and more
• Special rates on auto loans
• $0 down on ADT home security installation
• Banking guidance to help you manage your loans and auto insurance
• Discounts on hotels, cruises, shopping, vacation packages, travel insurance, and more
• 24/7 customer support hotline
• Benefits extend to former military members, spouses, and children of active/former military members

Good Savings and Discounts

USAA has a healthy list of discounts that save the average driver $840 per year. That said, USAA’s discounts will vary depending on the state you’re in, so be sure to speak to an agent to find out which savings are available to you and your family. Here are some examples:

• Multi-vehicle discount
• Discount for being accident-free for over five years
• Up to 10 percent off for bundling home and car insurance
• 3 percent off for setting up automatic payments.
• Up to 10 percent off for transitioning off a parent’s policy (good for children and grandchildren)
• Up to 30 percent off for completing the USAA SafePilot driving program
• Good student discount, which can help children or grandchildren save

Coverage for Rideshare Drivers

Gig work — such as driving for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or a similar service — attracts a number of seniors looking for flexible work to supplement retirement income. According to market research, as of 2025, about 14 percent of Lyft drivers are 55 or older, and 8 percent are 65 or older.²

When you drive for a rideshare company, your personal policy does not apply. The rideshare company covers you only after you’ve matched with a passenger, leaving a gap in coverage when the app is on but you’re waiting to match with a ride. This means you’ll need additional rideshare insurance to protect you while you’re working.

USAA offers rideshare coverage in every state except Hawaii, North Carolina, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina and Virginia.

Aside from USAA, which is available only to military members and their families, Travelers offers the lowest rates for seniors of any of our providers. It also provides some of the lowest rates for most high-risk drivers, including those with a DUI, speeding ticket, and bad credit. As a Travelers customer, you also enjoy unique discounts, including a hybrid/electric vehicle discount and flexible bundling savings.

Affordable Rates for Seniors

On average, Travelers’ auto insurance rate for seniors is $1,660 per year, or $138 per month. That’s about 26 percent less than the national average for seniors of $2,248 per year, or $187 per month. In contrast, The Hartford offers some of the highest auto insurance rates for seniors of any of our providers. Its average premium is $2,733 per year, or $228 per month, which is around 21 percent more than the national average.

Accident Forgiveness

With Travelers, you can add accident forgiveness to your insurance for extra protection. This coverage ensures that your premium won’t go up even if you or someone on your policy causes a crash, and you’ll keep any good driver discounts.

The provider also offers upgraded accident forgiveness plans that include minor violation forgiveness. We recommend Travelers’ accident forgiveness coverage for seniors who want some peace of mind, even if a crash or moving violation happens.

Save With Extensive Bundling Options

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, those age 55 and over have the highest rates of homeownership compared to other age groups³ — meaning that seniors can benefit most from bundling policies for their car and home. Among the providers on our list, Travelers offers the most flexible bundling options. You can get a discount for bundling your car insurance with these policies:

• Home
• Renters
• Condo
• Motorcycle
• Boat
• Umbrella
• Personal property

Since Travelers doesn’t specify the discount percentage, contact an agent to see how much you can save with multiple policies.

Seniors are statistically less likely to get into an accident than younger drivers, but it can still happen, even to the safest of drivers. GEICO’s rates go up less than competitors’ for drivers with an at-fault accident, and the provider offers a special plan for drivers over age 50 that guarantees coverage.

Lower Rates After an Accident

For seniors with an at-fault accident, GEICO is a good option. Its average premium for drivers with an at-fault accident is $2,831 per year, or $236 per month. That’s 10 percent less than the national average cost for drivers with an at-fault accident, which is $3,156 per year, or $263 per month.

Prime Time Contract

For customers who prefer to stick with the same insurance company over time rather than shopping around at every renewal, GEICO is a good option. The company offers a contract option, called Prime Time, that guarantees your policy won’t be canceled, even if you’re at fault for an accident or get multiple tickets. Note that while the contract guarantees coverage, your rates may still rise as a result of violations and accidents.

You can sign up for the Prime Time contract when you buy a policy with GEICO or at your next renewal. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• At least 50 years old
• No one under the age of 25 on your policy
• No violations or accidents in the past three years
• No vehicle on the policy used for business purposes (e.g., rideshare)

GEICO offers the Prime Time contract 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.

Discounts for Seniors

GEICO keeps premiums low by offering more discounts than many competitors, including several geared specifically to senior drivers.

• Defensive driving, for drivers over age 50 (or 55, depending on the state) who take an approved defensive driver course; in some states, you also need to be accident-free for three years to qualify
• Accident-free, which can save you up to 22 percent if you’ve gone five years without an accident
• Retired federal, which can save retired government employees GS-7 and above (or GS-11 equivalent if not on the GS pay system) up to 12 percent
• Retired military, which can save retired U.S. military members up to 15 percent

Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Keep your car in top shape with GEICO’s Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI). MBI acts like an extended warranty and covers major car repairs. It’s a great option for seniors who want to lower their repair costs — according to the latest data, the average driver spent about $838 to repair their vehicle.⁴

With MBI, your deductible is only $250 per claim. You qualify for MBI as long as your car is less than 15 months old and has fewer than 15,000 miles. You also must be the first owner of your car. Additionally, you can renew your coverage for up to seven years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Nationwide offers the lowest rates for seniors with bad credit out of any of our providers. It’s also one of the few major insurers to offer a pay-per-mile program, which can help seniors who drive less after retirement save money. The company also offers extra coverages and perks you won’t find everywhere.

Affordable Rates for Seniors With Low Credit

Like drivers with an at-fault accident or another high-risk designation, drivers with a low credit score can expect to pay more than those with a strong credit rating. On average, drivers can expect their premiums to rise by 72 percent with a low credit score.

On average, Nationwide charges only 41 percent more per year for drivers with poor credit. The table below shows how our top providers compare when it comes to policies for drivers with low credit.

Mileage- and Usage-Based Options

Along with teens, drivers age 65 and older drive the least, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. On average, seniors log ​​7,646 miles annually, compared with the national average of 13,476 miles.⁵

Nationwide’s mileage-based plan, called SmartMiles, can help you save money if you drive 8,000 miles or less annually. You’ll pay a monthly base rate, plus a per-mile rate depending on how much you drive. If you take a road trip, your daily mileage is capped at 250. Nationwide offers this plan in every state except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York, and Oklahoma.

Seniors who drive more can still save with Nationwide’s usage-based program, called SmartRide, which rewards you for safe driving behaviors related to braking, acceleration, nighttime driving, and number of miles driven. You’ll get 10 percent off just for enrolling and then up to 40 percent off within 80 days depending on your driving. It’s a good option, considering many other providers cap the discount at 30 percent and make you wait until your next policy renewal (usually six months) to earn the safe driving discount.

On Your Side Review

Whether it’s retiring, buying a new house or car, moving, or something else, as people age, their insurance needs often change. As a free benefit, Nationwide offers an annual insurance assessment to help you understand your policy and make any necessary changes. A Nationwide professional will talk with you about:

• Whether your current policy or policies give you the coverage you need
• If recent or upcoming life events necessitate a change in coverage
• Taking advantage of all available discounts

Coverages for New Cars

Nationwide offers a couple coverage options that will benefit new-car owners in particular:

• Gap coverage, which pays for the difference in the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle and what you owe on the loan or lease in the event of a total loss
• New-car replacement, which pays for a replacement vehicle in the event your new car is totaled

Finally, Nationwide customers can reduce their deductibles by $100 for every year of safe driving, up to $500 total.