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Cheapest car insurance for seniors in 2025

Written by Edited by
Published on April 11, 2025 | 4 min read

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Key takeaways

  • Rates for seniors tend to increase after age 70, but shopping around and taking advantage of discounts may help you save.
  • On average, 70-year-old drivers pay $2,623 per year for full coverage car insurance and $843 for minimum coverage.
  • Senior car insurance rates may be cheapest through Auto-Owners, Geico, USAA, Nationwide and Travelers.

Getting older comes with a lot of road-tested wisdom — decades of driving experience, a clearer idea of the coverage you actually need and, for many, more miles behind the wheel. But even with all that in your favor, car insurance rates don’t always reflect it. In fact, premiums often start creeping up once you hit your 70s, even if your record is squeaky clean.

One Reddit user recently shared their sticker shock after checking prices in New York: “I live in NYC, and retired a few years ago… decided to check how much insurance would cost. Heard Geico has good rates… their quote was $1,600 per month! Is that the norm for someone getting a new license in their late-50s?”

While their age and licensing situation likely played a role, it still underscores how unpredictable — and pricey — coverage can get as you grow older.

If you’re in or inching toward your 70s and looking for affordable car insurance, you’ve got options. We’ve rounded up the cheapest companies, smart ways to lower your premium and what to watch out for as a senior driver navigating today’s insurance market.

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What are the cheapest car insurance companies for seniors?

Car insurance often gets more expensive after age 70, but that doesn’t mean affordable coverage is out of reach. While some insurers raise rates due to age-related risk factors like slower reaction times or vision changes, not every company treats age the same. In fact, a few still offer competitive pricing to older drivers — especially those with clean records.Based on rate data from Quadrant Information Services, our research found that Auto-Owners, Geico, USAA, Nationwide and Travelers are consistently some of the cheapest car insurance companies for 70-year-old drivers. These picks stood out not just for pricing, but for strong customer service, solid financial strength and senior-friendly discounts.

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A quick note: if you live in Hawaii or Massachusetts, insurers can’t use your age to set your rates — but in Massachusetts, they can factor in how long you’ve been licensed.

Insurance company Average annual minimum coverage premium Average annual full coverage premium
Auto-Owners $577 $1,865
Geico $644 $2,252
USAA $699 $2,132
Nationwide $702 $1,840
Travelers $708 $2,106

How to get cheap car insurance as a senior

The best way to save money on your senior car insurance rates likely depends on your unique rating factors, but many of the steps are similar to those for middle-aged drivers. Senior citizens may be able to get cheap car insurance by following these steps:

  1. Take a defensive driving course. In some states with approved defensive driving courses, car insurance carriers will offer a discount to seniors over 55 who complete one. It’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if this discount is an option before enrollment.
  2. Review your driving status. If you’re no longer commuting for work, updating your driving status to pleasure driving rather than a commuter may save you money due to the lower mileage. You may also be able to save with pay-per-mile insurance, which typically includes a low flat rate plus a per-mile charge.
  3. Avoid tickets and accidents. As demonstrated above, accidents and tickets can cause your insurance rates to increase. Maintaining a clean driving record may help keep those rates down as you age.
  4. Shop around. Shopping around with different carriers may offer you more savings than you’re getting with your current insurer. Just be sure to compare the same coverage types and limits to get a true comparison before switching carriers.
  5. Compare quotes before buying a new car. You may be switching cars to adjust to your new lifestyle during retirement. Maybe you want a bigger car to accommodate your grandkids or you’re looking for increased safety features. Before you land on a new model, compare insurance quotes. Cars with high safety ratings, low theft rates, and accessible parts and repairs often have lower insurance costs.

Car insurance discounts for seniors

Seeking out car insurance discounts is one way seniors may be able to get cheap car insurance rates. The discount types and amount of savings vary by carrier and policy, but consider asking about these discounts to see if you are eligible:

  • Low mileage: Drivers who are retired or no longer commute to work may have an annual mileage that is below the national average of 13,000 miles. Some insurers offer discounts for having low annual mileage due to the decreased risk of accidents and claims.
  • Bundling: Insuring both your home and car with the same carrier may offer the greatest discount on your policy. While this is the most common bundle, many insurers offer other bundles as well. Discounts are often available for combining car insurance with condo, boat or RV insurance, for instance.
  • Vehicle safety equipment: The more safety features your car has, like anti-lock brakes, airbags and anti-collision technology, the lower your rate may be.
  • Safe driving: Drivers who maintain a clean driving record by avoiding tickets and accidents may be able to save with this discount.
  • Military and veteran: Military discounts often extend to veterans of the armed services. You might save on car insurance by providing proof of your service to your insurance provider.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a single, 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

  • $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $50,000 property damage liability per accident
  • $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
  • $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  • $500 collision deductible
  • $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2023 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with age 70 (base: 40 years) applied. Drivers are homeowners. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.