Car Insurance For Seniors In North Carolina: Cheapest And Best Providers

Over the last decade, senior driver crashes in North Carolina have increased by 6% annually. While 66% of the senior driver crashes only involved property damage, the North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP) increases car insurance costs for drivers with accidents on their records, one of many reasons why seniors in North Carolina should look for affordable car insurance and car insurance discounts.

Cheapest Car Insurance For Seniors In North Carolina

Finding affordable car insurance is crucial for seniors on a fixed income. The cheapest overall provider for seniors in North Carolina is GEICO, at an average annual premium of $970.

Use the table below to see the cheapest rates for seniors:

Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors Over 65 In North Carolina

For seniors over 65, insurance rates can vary based on driving habits and health. GEICO offers the best rates for this age group, with an average annual premium of $990.

Use the table below to view the cheapest rates for seniors over 65.

Cheapest Car Insurance In North Carolina For Seniors Over 70

As drivers age, their insurance rates can increase due to perceived higher risk. However, Nationwide offers the lowest rates for seniors over 70, with an average annual premium of $1,020. Nationwide’s policies are tailored to senior drivers, providing affordable and comprehensive coverage.

Check out the below table to view the cheapest over-70 car insurance rates in North Carolina.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors Over 75

For seniors over 75, GEICO remains a top contender, offering an average annual premium of $1,090.

You can check out average rates from other providers below.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors Over 85

For seniors over 85, insurance rates tend to be higher due to increased health risks and potential for accidents. However, GEICO offers competitive rates, with an average annual premium of $1,135, thanks to its various senior discounts.

View the cheapest insurance rates for seniors over 85 below.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors with a Ticket In North Carolina

A driving ticket can significantly increase insurance rates. Nationwide offers the lowest rates for seniors with a ticket, averaging $1,391 annually.

Based on my analysis, these are the cheapest rates for seniors with a ticket in North Carolina.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors In North Carolina with a DUI

Having a DUI on record drastically affects insurance premiums. North Carolin Farm Bureau offers the most affordable rates for seniors with a DUI, with an average annual premium of $4,800.

Based on my findings, these are the cheapest rates for seniors with a DUI.

Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors In North Carolina After an Accident

Post-accident insurance rates can be high. Nationwide offers the best rates for seniors after an accident, with an average annual premium of $1,760.

Check out the below table, which shows the cheapest average rates for seniors with an accident on their record.

How Much Is Car Insurance For Seniors In North Carolina?

The average car insurance premium for seniors in North Carolina can vary significantly depending on factors like age, driving history, vehicle type, and coverage level. Seniors usually pay higher rates due to age-related risks like slower reflexes and health concerns. Many insurers, however, offer discounts and programs to help offset these expenses.

The average car insurance premium for seniors in North Carolina is higher once a driver turns 70. Until that time, the rates are based on health concerns, vehicle type, and driver record.

The average cost for annual, full coverage, including age-related discounts, is $895.77.

Below is a table detailing the average annual costs for five leading providers for seniors in North Carolina.

Factors Influencing Auto Insurance Rates In North Carolina

There are several factors influencing auto insurance rates in North Carolina, the biggest of which is the Safe Driver Incentive Plan.

Safe Driver Incentive Plan

In 1957, North Carolina passed the North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP), which was designed to reward safe driving habits and punish unsafe ones. With this program, points are accumulated for things like at-fault accidents and moving violations, but deducted for things like completing safe driver courses.

Points from things like accidents and tickets can increase car insurance costs for seniors in North Carolina between 25% and 340% but taking safe driver courses can help decrease the costs.

Age

For seniors, other influencing factors have to do with age. Older drivers, especially in North Carolina, are more likely to be involved in accidents, cause property damage, and be severely injured.

Location

In North Carolina, major cities represent a significant portion of the car accidents involving senior drivers, which means living in these areas will increase your auto insurance rates.

Over 30% of all senior driver crashes occurred in the following cities:

1. Charlotte
2. Raleigh
3. Greensboro
4. Winston Salem
5. Durham
6. Asheville
7. Fayetteville
8. Wilmington
9. Greenville
10. High Point

Eight percent of all accidents in Charlotte involved a senior driver.

Moreover, 70% of all accidents involving a senior driver in North Carolina happen in a major city or urban area.

Discounts

That said, there are also positive factors that can influence auto insurance rates for seniors in North Carolina, bringing them down. These include discounts for age, multi-policy bundles, and mature driver safety courses.

Moreover, many insurance providers in North Carolina offer discounts based on usage, so retired individuals who don’t drive as often can get discounts for low mileage in addition to discounts from companies for being a retired homeowner or being part of an organization like the AARP.

Understanding the positive and negative factors that influence auto insurance rates can make it possible for seniors in North Carolina to find a supportive and affordable plan.

Mileage

Seniors who drive less might benefit from lower premiums through usage-based insurance options.

Coverage Level

Insurance costs can vary based on the mix of liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

Why Do Car Insurance Rates Increase For Seniors?

There are several reasons why rates increase for seniors, including driving record, health, accident risk, and frequency of claims.

Driving Record

Under the North Carolina Safe Driver Incentive Plan, driving record is one of the biggest factors in car insurance costs for seniors in North Carolina. The table below indicates the percentage of rate increases for car insurance based on the points and types of accidents in North Carolina for all drivers, including seniors:

Higher Injury Severity

As you can see in the table above, the severity of injuries directly impacts things like points that are accumulated. points directly impact your driving record and subsequently your car insurance costs.

Seniors in North Carolina have a higher susceptibility to severe injuries because of things like slower healing and fragile bones. This can incur higher medical costs from any accident, but especially at-fault accidents. In accordance with the SDIP, this means a higher potential risk, something that car insurance companies take into consideration when factoring the price.

Higher Accident Risk

According to the NHTSA, there were 8,572 car accident deaths involving drivers 65 or older in 2022, the highest figure since 1975.

Recent data suggests that drivers in North Carolina are worse than the national average, among the top five for senior-related car accidents and car accident deaths by state.

• Between 2010 to 2019, there were 377,470 older driver crashes in North Carolina, representing a 69% increase
• Over the last decade, older driver crashes in North Carolina have increased by 6%
• 10% of all car accidents in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, are senior drivers

In North Carolina, older drivers are more likely to get into accidents between noon and 6:00 p.m. In fact 54%  of all older drivers took place during these hours, and 37% of them took place between the months of September and December, when the weather meant it was darker much sooner.

Vision deterioration for senior drivers has a direct correlation to the higher accident risk in the months between September and December, while hearing impairments and reduced reflexes can increase the risk of accidents at any time.

Claim Frequency

Given that 66% of the senior driver crashes in North Carolina were property damage only, there’s also a higher correlation between senior drivers and the number of claims that are filed. As older drivers file more claims for injuries and accidents, it can lead to higher premiums.

Health Issues

Chronic health problems and medications that impair driving become more common with age. Conditions like arthritis, dementia, and heart disease can impact driving capabilities, while some medications might lead to drowsiness or dizziness, raising the chances of accidents.

Experience and Mileage

While seniors often have considerable driving experience, they typically drive fewer miles as they age. Although this can lead to some discounts, insurance rates might still rise because the reduction in mileage does not entirely offset the increased risks associated with aging.

How Can Seniors Save On Car Insurance?

Seniors in North Carolina have a few ways to save on car insurance.

Safe Driver Courses

Seniors in North Carolina can take an AARP-approved North Carolina Mature Driver Improvement course. These types of courses can be offered entirely online, with a self-paced study structure. After completing the course, you’ll be mailed a certificate of completion that can be submitted to your insurance company for respective discounts.

Note: Many insurance providers will offer a discount between 5% and 15% for approved course completion, but the percentage is based on the company.

Depending on your provider, certificates and subsequent discounts can be good for up to 3 years with an average annual savings of $300.

Policy Discounts

In addition to safe driving discounts in North Carolina, seniors can get discounts for bundling, having a clean record, and participating in company-specific programs like the TrueLane Program from the AARP.

Each company is different in terms of which policy discounts they offer in North Carolina versus other states, so it’s important to review what options are available in your area. For example, Geico’s Prime Time contract may be one of their most attractive senior discounts, but it is not available in North Carolina.

Adjust Your Coverage

Policy discounts that let you combine policies might also work with adjustments to your coverage, like raising your deductible or using a usage-based insurance plan for vehicles with low mileage. State Farm has a usage-based program for seniors in North Carolina, while the AARP offers partner discounts for seniors who pay a year in advance instead of monthly.

Compare Your Providers

Depending on your provider, discounts may fluctuate in terms of availability, and you might find that comparing different providers at regular intervals can help you uncover new deals, especially if you’ve had a career change that means partner discounts or if you have joined organizations like the AARP.

Maintain a Good Credit Score

In some states, insurance companies use credit scores to determine premiums. Maintaining a high credit score can lead to lower insurance rates.

Install Safety Devices

Adding safety features like anti-theft devices, airbags, and anti-lock brakes to your vehicle can qualify you for additional discounts. These features minimize the risk of accidents and theft, leading to lower insurance rates.

Consider Group Insurance

Affiliation with organizations like AARP can provide access to reduced-rate group insurance plans. These plans often come with extra perks and discounts for members.

Ask About Senior Discounts

Some insurance companies offer unique discounts for senior drivers. It’s beneficial to ask your insurer if they have any age-related discounts available.

Regularly Review Insurance Needs

Changing driving habits in seniors leads to different insurance needs. Regularly reviewing and adjusting coverage can avoid paying for unneeded insurance. By implementing these strategies, seniors can manage and lower their car insurance costs, ensuring they receive the best value for their coverage.

 Car Insurance Discounts For Seniors

There are several types of car insurance discounts for seniors in North Carolina contingent on personal background, such as veteran status, as well as membership to organizations like the AARP and car insurance providers.

AARP Discounts

In North Carolina, seniors can take advantage of the AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford. North Carolina AARP members who switch to The Hartford for car insurance can save an average of $577 on a 6-month policy term.

The AARP in North Carolina gives you access to benefits such as:

1. Up to 8% savings for online car insurance quotes
2. 10% discounts on car insurance for paying bills on time
3. Up to 10% discounts on your policy after 5 years of no collisions, at-fault accidents, or violations
4. Up to 12% on auto insurance when you bundle
5. Up to 12% for participating in the TrueLane Program, and up to 25% renewal discounts for good driving habits

Safe driver discounts for seniors who participate in a North Carolina-approved defensive driving course.

State Farm Discounts

Companies like State Farm have car insurance discounts for seniors, too.

1. If you have had a vehicle insured for three continuous years without any chargeable accidents, you qualify for an accident-free discount, which remains in effect so long as you don’t have any at-fault accidents
2. Seniors in North Carolina who have a vehicle equipped with a factory-installed airbag get an airbag discount
3. The Drive Safe & Save program allows you to save up to 30% depending on your circumstances, if you utilize devices installed on your car to monitor your driving habits
4. Seniors without any moving violations or at-fault accidents for 3 years can receive a good driver discount

If you combine multiple insurance policies with your auto insurance, State Farm will give you a discount.

GEICO Discounts

In addition to many of the same options provided by competing companies, Geico offers seniors in North Carolina car insurance discounts for being members of certain educational or professional organizations. Options relate to the following:

• Alumni Associations, Colleges, and Universities
• Berkshire Hathaway Companies
• Business and Professional Organizations
• Military and Federal Organizations
• Other Organizations

For example, under “Military” in North Carolina, those who are members of the Navy League of the United States or the U.S. Naval Institute can receive a discount.

Allstate Discounts

Allstate offers senior discounts to policyholders for age alone, with discounts on vehicles with less than 3,000 miles annually.

Other discounts include retired homeowners 55 or older who can save up to 20% on car insurance policies.

Allstate provides AARP members with secondary discounts, too, up to 20% for the first year of Roadside Elite and up to 15% for roadside assistance.

Low Mileage Discount

Driving fewer miles can help seniors qualify for low-mileage discounts, which is especially advantageous for retirees who no longer commute daily.

Multi-Policy Discount

Seniors who bundle their car insurance with other policies, such as home or renters coverage, can earn a multi-policy discount. This bundling often results in substantial savings.

Good Student Discount

Seniors may receive a discount if their policy includes good student grandchildren. This typically requires those students to achieve and maintain a certain grade point average.

Vehicle Safety Discount

Adding safety features such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, and anti-theft devices can result in lower insurance costs. These features minimize the risk of accidents and theft, leading to potential discounts.

Loyalty Discount

Long-term policyholders frequently receive loyalty discounts from their insurance providers. Staying with one insurer for an extended period can reduce premiums over time.

Usage-Based Insurance Discount

Drive Safe & Save from State Farm and Drivewise from Allstate offer discounts by tracking driving habits and rewarding safe driving. Seniors who drive less and demonstrate safe driving skills can benefit from lower premiums.

Car Insurance Rates for Senior Drivers By U.S. State

Finding the most affordable car insurance is essential for senior drivers, who often face different challenges and risks on the road. This section provides a comprehensive overview of the cheapest car insurance rates for seniors in each state, along with the insurance carrier offering these competitive rates.

By comparing these options, senior drivers can make informed decisions that ensure both affordability and adequate coverage.