Senior Guide To Car Insurance

How Age Affects Car Insurance for Senior Drivers

As mentioned above, age can affect car insurance rates―and even coverage―for senior drivers, but generally only if the senior drives in such a way that categorizes him as a high-risk driver.

Otherwise, age can work in a senior driver’s favor!

Think about it. Because of their age:

• Seniors are some of the most experienced drivers on the roads. If we assume they’ve been driving for as long as they’ve been allowed to legally, we can also assume they have plenty of years of practice under their seatbelts.

• Seniors are some of the most mature drivers on the road. Typically, they’re not driving with unchecked emotions because their first boyfriend broke up with them, they’re not rushing to get from daycare to work to the grocery store, and they’re not talking on the phone, texting, or challenging other motorists to races once the light turns green.

Finding Insurance Companies That Offer Senior Discounts

The good news is that finding insurance companies that offer discounts for senior drivers isn’t difficult; many of the same discounts available to younger drivers are available for senior drivers, including discounts for:

• Bundling coverage, such as purchasing both your homeowners and your car insurance with the same company.

• Driving a vehicle with a high safety rating and one equipped with several safety features. These safety features should focus on both the safety of the driver (and other motorists), such as airbags and daytime running lights, as well as features that protect the vehicle, such as anti-theft and stolen vehicle recovery systems.

• Paying annual premiums in full, or even every three or six months, rather than once a month.

• Having a good driving record.

• Being a loyal customer. Many insurance companies provide discounts to policyholders who continue to renew with them.

However, the better news is that it’s possible for seniors to save money with additional discounts. Many auto insurance providers offer the following discounts for seniors:

Mature Driver Discounts

Some providers offer discounts simply because a driver is of a certain age. (This undoubtedly has to do with the more experience/more mature factor.)

Senior/Mileage Discounts

If you’re a senior and drive more than or fewer than (it depends on the specific discount) a certain number of miles over a certain time period, you could see lower auto insurance rates.

55 and Retired Discounts

This one’s pretty straightforward: If you’re at least 55 years old and retired, you could get a discount.

Mature Driver Safety Course Discounts

Just as teens and younger adults can get discounts for taking driver safety courses, mature drivers can get discounts for taking senior-specific driver safety courses.

You can find numerous other senior-specific state approved driving courses―maybe even one offered by your state’s DMV.

Retired Military Discounts

As a thanks for serving our country, some insurance providers offer discounts for retired military personnel.

Membership Discounts

You probably already know that belonging to certain organizations can earn you discounts on auto insurance, but you also need to know belonging to senior-specific organizations (like AARP) can get you insurance discounts, too.

Talk With Your Auto Insurance Agent

If you already have an insurance policy and your agent hasn’t mentioned any of these discounts, give him a call.

If you find out your company doesn’t offer such discounts, or doesn’t offer as steep a discount as you might get elsewhere, shop around and compare discounts from other insurance companies.