Advertiser Disclosure Car insurance for 60-year-olds
Drivers between ages 60 and 69 file fewer car insurance claims than any other driver age group, and as a result, their average premium remains low. After age 69, premiums tend to begin to rise again.
Cheapest car insurance for 60-year-old drivers
Below, Bankrate’s editorial team compiled the top five insurance companies for 60-year-old drivers. We chose providers based on diverse factors including financial strength, customer satisfaction and the latest premium data provided by Quadrant Information Services.
Based on Bankrate’s findings, years of driving experience pay off in the form of lower premiums. Some insurance carriers provide better rates to older, experienced drivers. Out of the most popular carriers by market share, the cheapest car insurance for 60-year-old drivers on average are the following:
| Car insurance company | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,073 |
| Erie | $1,157 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,276 |
| Geico | $1,326 |
| State Farm | $1,327 |
USAA
USAA’s average full coverage rate for older drivers is the lowest of all five carriers, averaging $1,073 per year. The main drawback is USAA car insurance is only available for former and current military personnel and qualifying family members. Discounts that may be available include safe driver, defensive driving training and length of USAA membership. Taking advantage of all the available discounts that you qualify for could help you reduce the cost of coverage each year.
Learn more: USAA Insurance review
Erie
Erie is an alternative for older adults who don’t qualify for USAA membership. Rates are close to USAA’s at $1,157 per year on average for full coverage. The company also offers extras you may not find elsewhere, such as roadside assistance and locksmith service (up to $75 per event). The main drawback to Erie is availability — the carrier only operates in 12 Midwestern and Northeastern states.
Learn more: Erie Insurance review
Auto-Owners
Auto-Owner’s rates for drivers in their sixties is $1,276 per year for full coverage insurance. The carrier’s Personal Automobile Plus package takes the guesswork out of car insurance by bundling 10 of the most popular options into a package, such as vehicle re-keying, identity theft protection and smartphone insurance. In addition, bundling car insurance with an Auto-Owners home insurance policy may reduce your premiums on both.
Learn more: Auto-Owners Insurance review
Geico
Geico has the most discounts of all the insurance carriers on this list. If you’re a good driver with an accident-free driving record with no claims in the last five years, Geico could lower your premiums by up to 22%. In addition, drivers over 50 are automatically signed up for Geico’s Prime Time contract that may guarantee car insurance renewal as long as you remain with Geico.
Learn more: Geico Insurance review
State Farm
Enrolling in State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save program by downloading the mobile app could qualify you for discounts on your premiums based on your driving habits and the number of miles you drive. In addition, State Farm’s website and mobile app are available 24/7 when you need to manage your coverage. But if you’re not as comfortable handling your insurance needs digitally, State Farm has 19,000 local agents ready to help you with your insurance needs the traditional way.
Learn more: State Farm Insurance review
Cost of car insurance for a 60-year-old
Age is not the only factor that determines the cost of car insurance. Another primary factor that affects the average cost of car insurance for 60-year-old drivers is location. Some states are more expensive for vehicle coverage than others. Each state’s car insurance requirements affect the cost of insurance based on how much coverage you need to legally drive.
Florida and Michigan are among the most expensive places for car insurance because they’re no-fault states. In a no-fault state, each driver pays for their own medical bills regardless of fault. In these states, drivers must buy PIP insurance and liability insurance.
| State | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,559 |
| Alaska | $1,491 |
| Arizona | $1,440 |
| Arkansas | $1,726 |
| California | $1,991 |
| Colorado | $1,808 |
| Connecticut | $1,469 |
| Delaware | $1,611 |
| District of Columbia | $1,773 |
| Florida | $2,400 |
| Georgia | $1,887 |
| Hawaii | $1,216 |
| Idaho | $1,009 |
| Illinois | $1,339 |
| Indiana | $1,189 |
| Iowa | $1,102 |
| Kansas | $1,538 |
| Kentucky | $1,988 |
| Louisiana | $2,600 |
| Maine | $792 |
| Maryland | $1,655 |
| Massachusetts | $1,176 |
| Michigan | $2,342 |
| Minnesota | $1,510 |
| Mississippi | $1,561 |
| Missouri | $1,545 |
| Montana | $1,673 |
| Nebraska | $1,319 |
| Nevada | $2,064 |
| New Hampshire | $1,046 |
| New Jersey | $1,683 |
| New Mexico | $1,341 |
| New York | $2,142 |
| North Carolina | $1,341 |
| North Dakota | $1,136 |
| Ohio | $1,023 |
| Oklahoma | $1,694 |
| Oregon | $1,265 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,474 |
| Rhode Island | $1,724 |
| South Carolina | $1,350 |
| South Dakota | $1,489 |
| Tennessee | $1,223 |
| Texas | $1,703 |
| Utah | $1,225 |
| Vermont | $967 |
| Virginia | $1,165 |
| Washington | $1,095 |
| West Virginia | $1,405 |
| Wisconsin | $1,069 |
| Wyoming | $1,329 |
Car insurance rates by gender
The average cost of car insurance for 60-year-old female drivers is generally lower than a male driver of the same age, since female drivers tend to get into fewer accidents than males. Among drivers aged 61 to 65, male drivers accounted for 64% of crash fatalities, while female drivers accounted for only 36%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
However, not all states consider gender when determining your insurance premium. In California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, your gender should not affect your insurance premium.
| Average annual premium for 60-year-old male | Average annual premium for 60-year-old female | % difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,552 | $1,537 | 0.98% |
How 60-year-old drivers can save on car insurance
Older drivers who are close to (or at) retirement age could be on a fixed income. Taking the time to find savings on car insurance may give your budget some breathing room. A few ways older drivers may be able to lower their premiums include:
- Loyalty: You may qualify for a discount based on the amount of time you have patronized your insurance provider.
- Automatic payments: If you enroll in autopay, your provider may discount your premium.
- Low-mileage: If you drive infrequently, you may want to look into low-mileage benefits. Some companies offer low-mileage discounts to any customer who drives below a certain number of miles per year, usually 5,000 to 7,000.
- Bundling: If you carry car, home and life insurance policies, many providers allow you to bundle them and save.
- Driver training course: If you insure a teen driver, you may want to consider enrolling them in a course that teaches safe practices behind the wheel. Your insurer could offer you discounts on your premium.
Frequently asked questions
What is a driver training course?
Insurance companies typically have a list of approved online driving courses. They can usually be completed in roughly eight hours or less and may reduce your car insurance premiums for up to three years.
What is the average cost of car insurance for 60-year-old drivers?
Car insurance for 60-year-old drivers averages $1,544 per year for full coverage. Actual prices can depend on several factors such as gender, credit score, number of claims filed and driving record. Typically drivers who are at-fault in a car crash see increases on their premium.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies for older drivers?
The cheapest car insurance companies for 60-year-olds will vary among drivers. To find the best rate, you may want to get quotes from each of our top car insurance picks and compare prices and offerings. You may qualify for competitive discounts for safe drivers, safe vehicles, your professional/alumni group or bundling policies.
Do car insurance premiums go down after age 60?
Car insurance premiums depend on several factors such as driving history, credit score (in most states) and location. Drivers between the ages 60 and 69 typically enjoy the lowest insurance premiums. In your 70s, insurance premiums often increase slightly, due to drivers between the ages of 70 and 79 experiencing slightly higher risk.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 20-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 coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 60 years) applied.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner.
Gender: The following states do not use gender as a determining factor in calculating premiums: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.
