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Once you reach your 50s, car insurance takes on a slightly different look. You may actually see your premium rates decrease. Many insurers recognize that older drivers tend to be more experienced, cautious, and less risky, which can translate into better rates and exclusive discounts. There are numerous ways for drivers over 50 to save, including defensive driving discounts, loyalty rewards, and low-mileage programs.
Let's explore the best car insurance options for drivers over 50, examining what each company offers and how to select the best insurer for your needs.
How we evaluate products
When researching the best car insurance for drivers over 50, we examined some of the top insurance companies in the market, their average rates, and their rankings for stability, claims satisfaction, and overall customer service. One thing we paid special attention to was whether the insurer offered defensive driving course discounts. These discounts are usually only eligible to drivers over 50 or 55, and not every insurance company offers them. We also looked at whether insurers offered discounts for homeownership, as over 70% of people aged 50 and above own their own homes.
| Company name | Best/Excellent for | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
| GEICO | Discounts | $137 | $107 |
| Travelers | Financial stability | $180 | $90 |
| State Farm | In-person service | $110 | $52 |
| Nationwide | Low-mileage drivers | $174 | $87 |
| Progressive | Name Your Price | ||
| USAA | Military members | $94 | $47 |
GEICO
- AM Best: A++ (Superior)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 692 (below average)
- BBB: A+ (Not accredited)
- NAIC complaints: 0.54 (below average)
I have GEICO, and I love how I can easily access my insurance coverage and documents through the insurer's mobile app. For drivers over 50 who prefer to work with an agent face-to-face, GEICO does operate local branches. However, they are limited.
GEICO offers car insurance discounts for policyholders over 50 who complete a defensive driving course. Other discounts that may be attractive to drivers over 50 include those for a five-year clean driving record, multiple cars, membership in certain organizations, and retired government and military members. And, if you do get into an accident and it's your first, you can take advantage of GEICO's accident forgiveness.
- Available in all U.S. states
- Offers defensive driver discounts for drivers 50 and older
- Provides accident forgiveness
- Limited number of local offices
- Ranks below average for overall claims satisfaction
Learn more in our GEICO review
Travelers
- AM Best: A++ (Superior)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 684 (below average)
- BBB: A+ (not accredited)
- NAIC complaints: 3.96 (well above average)
Travelers has been providing auto insurance for over 170 years. Its longevity and Superior financial stability rating by AM Best make it an attractive option for drivers over 50. The insurer also offers a number of discounts that may apply to older drivers, such as multi-policy discounts, multicar discounts, and discounts for homeowners, regardless of where they get their homeowners insurance. While Travelers doesn't provide discounts for defensive driving courses like many other insurers do, your safe driving habits may qualify you for a safe driver discount.
The biggest concern with Travelers is its track record with customers. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the company has almost four times the number of customer complaints as most insurers. It also ranks below average in overall claims satisfaction, per J.D. Power.
- Financially stable company
- Provides discounts for homeowners
- Loyal customers can earn a discount
- Not available in all states
- Doesn't offer a defensive driver discount
- Above-average amount of customer complaints
Learn more in our Travelers review
State Farm
- AM Best: A++ (Superior)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 710 (above average)
- BBB: F (not accredited)
- NAIC complaints: 0.1 (well below average)
For those of us over 50, many of us remember a time when our insurance agent was a neighbor and friend whom we could visit in their local office. If this is still important to you, then State Farm is a good option for your car insurance. Almost every small town has at least one State Farm office that you can go to conduct in-person business. You can also manage your policy through the insurer's website and mobile app.
State Farm offers several discounts to help you save money on your car insurance, including a defensive driving course discount for drivers over 50 (though eligibility requirements vary by state). The insurer also appears to have satisfied customers, ranking above average for overall claims satisfaction and having a minimal number of customer complaints, according to the NAIC. With these high rankings, it's confusing why State Farm gets the lowest grade possible (F) from the BBB.
- Many brick-and-mortar locations
- Highly rated for claims satisfaction
- Provides a discount for completing a defensive driver course
- Low BBB rating
- Not available in Massachusetts or Rhode Island
Learn more in our State Farm review
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Nationwide
- AM Best: A (Excellent)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 728 (above average)
- BBB: A+ (accredited)
- NAIC complaints: 0.90 (just below average)
Drivers over 50 who aren't on the road a lot may benefit from Nationwide's usage-based insurance programs. Its SmartMiles program is a pay-per-mile insurance option where you pay a variable rate based on the number of miles you drive plus a flat base rate. If you trust your safe driving abilities, you can earn a discount on car insurance by enrolling in the insurer's SmartRide telematics program.
Nationwide also provides discounts for drivers over 55 who complete a state-approved defensive driving safety course. And, if you haven't had any at-fault accidents or major traffic violations for five years, you may also qualify for a 10% accident-free discount.
- Offers usage-based programs for low-mileage drivers
- Drivers 55 and older are eligible for a defensive driving course discount
- Ranks high for financial stability, claims satisfaction, and customer service
- Coverage is not available in all states
- Premium rates are on the high end
Learn more in our Nationwide review
Progressive
- AM Best: A+ (Superior)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 672 (below average)
- BBB: A+ (not accredited)
- NAIC complaints: 0.50 (less than average)
Progressive doesn't offer discounts for taking a defensive driving course, but it does provide many other discounts that can help drivers over 50 save money on car insurance. For example, homeowners can earn a discount even if they have their homeowner's insurance with a different company. Progressive also has accident forgiveness protection that you can add to your policy to ensure your rates don't increase after your first claim.
Drivers who want more control over what they pay for car insurance can use Progressive's Name Your Price tool to customize a policy that they can afford.
- Name Your Price tool enables you to control how much you pay for coverage
- Offers many discounts, including for homeowners and loyal customers
- AutoQuote Explorer feature allows you to compare car insurance rates
- Ranked low for claims satisfaction
- Doesn't offer a defensive driving course discount
Learn more in our Progressive review
Average rate:
USAA
- AM Best: A++ (Superior)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 726 (above average)
- BBB: A+ (not accredited)
- NAIC complaints: 1.22 (above average)
USAA offers some of the lowest rates you'll find for car insurance. But, there's a catch. The company's coverage is only available to active military members, retired veterans, and their family members. So if you meet that criteria, you can take advantage of USAA's affordable rates and its discount programs that help you save even more on car insurance.
USAA offers discounts for drivers who complete a defensive driving course, plus it has two usage-based programs to save you money. Its SafePilot Miles is a pay-per-mile insurance program that can help low-mileage drivers save as much as 20% on their premiums. USAA SafePilot is a telematics program that rewards you with discounts up to 30% for safe driving habits.
- Lower than average rates
- Discounts for defensive driving course completion
- Offers usage-based insurance programs
- Only available to active duty and retired military members and their families
Learn more in our USAA review
What drivers over 50 should look for in an insurance company?
When it comes to car insurance, drivers over 50 have many of the same needs as younger drivers. We all want to save as much as we can. Many insurance companies will offer discounts for owning a home, having anti-theft devices on your vehicle, and being loyal customers with continuous coverage. Drivers over 50 can take advantage of special discounts that some insurers offer for completing an approved defensive driving course. Defensive driving course discounts are typically only available to older drivers over the age of 50 or 55.
FAQs
What is the cheapest car insurance for seniors over 50?
For most drivers aged 50 or older, the most affordable car insurance depends on several factors, including coverage, driving history, habits, and available discounts. Some ways to lower car insurance rates for drivers over 50 include:
- Taking a defensive driving course
- Bundling auto with homeowner's or renter's insurance
- Opting in to usage-based insurance programs
- Maintaining a clean driving record
- Paying premiums in full
Does car insurance go down at 50 years old?
Your car insurance rates may decrease slightly after you turn 50, provided you have a clean driving record and a good claims history. Insurers consider older drivers to be less risky and more experienced behind the wheel, resulting in lower rates.
What is the best car insurance for older drivers?
The best car insurance for older drivers depends on your individual needs, preferences, and driving habits. If you value face-to-face service, State Farm stands out for its strong local presence and high customer satisfaction ratings. For tech-savvy drivers looking for convenience and discounts, GEICO offers a user-friendly app and perks such as accident forgiveness and defensive driver discounts. Nationwide and USAA are solid options for drivers who don't log many miles.
Ultimately, the best insurer for you will offer a combination of affordability, excellent customer service, and discounts to help you save money. Look for a company that provides savings for completing a defensive driving course, bundling policies, or maintaining a clean driving record.
Bottom line
If you're over 50, you have plenty of opportunities to save on car insurance, whether it's through defensive driving discounts, bundling insurance, or choosing usage-based insurance programs. Insurers like State Farm, GEICO, and Nationwide offer options that cater specifically to the needs of older drivers. It's a good idea to compare car insurance quotes at least once a year to see if you have better options available. While price matters, don't overlook the importance of good customer service, claims satisfaction, and financial stability when comparing insurance companies.
Average rate:
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