Car Insurance For Seniors In Texas: Cheapest And Best Providers
GEICO provides the cheapest car insurance for seniors in Texas, at an average annual rate of $1,270.
We’ve saved shoppers an average of $600 per year on their car insurance.
Senior drivers make up 21.8 percent of all drivers on the road today. In Texas, that figure increases to over 33%, representing a 16.9% increase over the last 30 years.
With the third largest population of people over the age of 50 across the United States at 9 million and projected to reach over 16 million by 2050, Texas also has the third largest demand for affordable car insurance for seniors.
So, how can seniors find affordable car insurance? This article will explore key factors that affect premiums, as well as discounts that seniors can apply to their policy.
Cheapest Car Insurance For Seniors In Texas
Finding affordable car insurance is crucial for seniors on a fixed income. The cheapest overall provider for seniors in Texas is GEICO, at an average annual premium of $1,270.
Use the table below to see the cheapest rates for seniors:
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
GEICO | $1,270 |
Mercury Insurance | $1,710 |
Farmers | $2,130 |
Progressive | $1,693 |
Allstate | $2,870 |
Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors Over 65 In Texas
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 $1,301.
Use the table below to view the cheapest rates for seniors over 65.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
GEICO | $1,301 |
USAA | $1,490 |
Farmers | $2,710 |
Progressive | $1,736 |
Allstate | $3,122 |
Cheapest Car Insurance In Texas For Seniors Over 70
As drivers age, their insurance rates can increase due to perceived higher risk. However, State Farm offers the lowest rates for seniors over 70, with an average annual premium of $1,150. State Farm’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 Texas.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
State Farm | $1,150 |
GEICO | $1,328 |
Mercury Insurance | $2,096 |
Progressive | $1,880 |
Allstate | $3,126 |
Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors Over 75
For seniors over 75, GEICO remains a top contender, offering an average annual premium of $1,428.
You can check out average rates from other providers below.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
GEICO | $1,428 |
Mercury Insurance | $2,530 |
Farmers | $3,318 |
Progressive | $2,347 |
Allstate | $3,548 |
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 $1,939, thanks to its various senior discounts.
View the cheapest insurance rates for seniors over 85 below.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
GEICO | $1,939 |
Mercury Insurance | $2,079 |
State Farm | $2,261 |
Progressive | $2,412 |
Allstate | $2,426 |
Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors with a Ticket In Texas
A driving ticket can significantly increase insurance rates. Nationwide offers the lowest rates for seniors with a ticket, averaging $1,714 annually.
Based on my analysis, these are the cheapest rates for seniors with a ticket in Texas.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
Nationwide | $1,714 |
GEICO | $2,330 |
Progressive | $2,806 |
Allstate | $3,510 |
USAA | $1,980 |
Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors In Texas with a DUI
Having a DUI on record drastically affects insurance premiums. State Farm offers the most affordable rates for seniors with a DUI, with an average annual premium of $2,230.
Based on my findings, these are the cheapest rates for seniors with a DUI.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
State Farm | $2,230 |
GEICO | $2,850 |
Progressive | $2,562 |
Allstate | $5,610 |
Nationwide | $2,694 |
Cheapest Car Insurance for Seniors In Texas After an Accident
Post-accident insurance rates can be high. State Farm offers the best rates for seniors after an accident, with an average annual premium of $1,580.
Check out the below table, which shows the cheapest average rates for seniors with an accident on their record.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
State Farm | $1,580 |
Farmers | $6,075 |
Nationwide | $2,140 |
Allstate | $5,570 |
GEICO | $2,395 |
How Much is Car Insurance for Seniors in Texas?
Car insurance for seniors in Texas is based largely on age, coverage type, and vehicle type. Rates for seniors go up by an average of 15% at the age of 70 or higher due to age-related risks. However, there are several discounts that can help reduce these costs.
Seniors in Texas typically pay between $800 and $2,000 annually for full coverage on average. This estimate includes various discounts and coverage levels. The table below shows the average annual costs for five popular providers for seniors in Texas.
Insurance Company | Average Annual Premium |
GEICO | $1,270 |
Mercury Insurance | $1,710 |
Farmers | $2,130 |
Progressive | $1,693 |
Allstate | $2,870 |
Factors Influencing Senior Car Insurance Rates In Texas
What factors influence car insurance rates for seniors?
Age
Car insurance rates for seniors in Texas drop significantly after age 55, particularly in comparison to younger drivers. However, between 65 and 75, the average car insurance rates will increase by 15%.
Driving Record
The Texas DMV point system is designed to affect your license and driving privileges, but each insurance company has a unique point system to determine the cost of your insurance premiums based on your driving history, including:
- Moving violations
- Accidents
- Claims
Mileage
How often you drive has one of the biggest discounts on overall cost, with several unique programs offering pay-per-mile coverage plans for those seniors who don’t drive very often.
Coverage Level
Texas requires $30,000 for liability coverage for every insured individual, $60,000 total liability coverage per accident, and $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident. You can purchase more comprehensive coverage for things like:
- Collision
- Comprehensive for non-collision events
- Medical payments
- Personal injury protection
- Towing and labor
- Rental reimbursement
Discounts
Seniors might be eligible for different discounts based on having multiple policies from the same provider, keeping the same insurance provider for several years, having a clean record, and taking defensive driving courses.
Why Do Car Insurance Rates Increase For Seniors?
Car insurance rates increase for seniors based on several age-related factors and driving behaviors.
Age
In Texas, between 65 and 75, the average car insurance rates will increase by 15%.
Accident Risk
Tangentially, the older you are, the greater risk you pose for accidents because of hearing impairments, slower reflexes, and reduced vision.
Health
Similarly, the older you are, the more likely you are to experience chronic health conditions or be prescribed medications that can impair your driving abilities, causing things like drowsiness or dizziness and increasing your accident risk because of slower responses.
Injury
Seniors are at a higher risk of injury because of slower recovery rates as well as damage from osteoporosis, which can increase the cost of car insurance settlements and subsequently, the cost of car insurance premiums.
Claim History
Seniors are at a higher risk of involvement in car accidents, both at fault and otherwise, which means there is a greater risk of frequent claims, which can increase the cost.
Travel Frequency
How frequently a driver travels will directly impact the risk of things like car accidents, which means that seniors can often get discounts for reduced mileage.
How Can Seniors Save On Car Insurance?
There are many strategies that seniors can employ to save money on car insurance in Texas:
- Take advantage of the different discounts offered by insurance providers
- Adjust your coverage accordingly and get rid of things you don’t need
- Every so often, especially when you reach an age-related milestone, shop around to compare different companies
- Keep a good credit score to help lower your rates
- Get safety devices installed for extra discounts
- Join groups that provide additional discounts, like the AARP
- Ask your insurance provider about senior-related discounts in Texas
- Regularly assess your car insurance needs and make adjustments where necessary to avoid overpaying
Car Insurance Discounts for Seniors in Texas
Each car insurance company in Texas will provide a variety of discounts for seniors, but below are some of the most common:
Company-Specific Discounts
Each company offers a specific range of potential discounts for seniors in Texas. Seniors in Texas can find things like the following:
- Texas auto insurance discount for vehicles with qualifying anti-theft devices installed.
- Up to 30% in discounts for being a safe driver with a verifying device setup in your vehicle.
- Discounts for insuring multiple vehicles.
- Discounts for combining insurance policies under the same company, like car, life, health, house, renters, or condo insurance.
- Discounts for having a newer model vehicle.
- Loyalty discounts for remaining with the same company for several years, usually increasing in discount percentage the longer you remain with the same company.
- Installing passive restraint systems and airbags in older vehicles.
Safe Driver Discounts
Texas does not have a direct point system used to increase or decrease car insurance rates.
You will still be given points for things like moving violations and they count against a license. if you have seven or more convictions or violations in a 24-month time frame, your license gets suspended.
That said, the DMV license point system is not used by car insurance companies. In Texas, all car insurance companies have proprietary point systems they use to determine how much to raise or lower your insurance premiums based on your history of moving violations and accidents.
For example, a serious speeding ticket can still increase your premiums by an average of 13% depending on your insurance provider.
However, insurance providers like 21st Century Insurance give additional discounts between 10% and 20% to drivers over the age of 55 who have a driving record free from any tickets or accidents over the span of several years.
Note: Drivers with very poor records can be refused insurance, especially if there are serious infractions like multiple DUIs.
Defensive Driving Courses
Many people know about defensive driving or “traffic school” after they get a ticket. However, according to the Texas Department of Insurance, drivers can get discounts on car insurance for seniors in Texas by proactively taking an online defensive driving course.
Those who have completed a course save up to 10% on their car insurance. Let’s look at an example:
Margaret lives in Corpus Christi. She just completed an approved online course. Her current annual premium is $3,100, and she saves 10% each year for 3 years by completing an online defensive driving course once. That means she saved $930 over the course of 3 years.
Note: Qualifying courses must be approved by the Texas Education Agency and taught through approved TEA schools or course providers under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4413 (29C).
The table below indicates the percentage that can be saved by top providers in Texas after completing a defensive driving course:
Company | Percentage Saved |
AAA | Up to 3% |
GEICO | Up to 10% |
21st Century | Up to 2% |
State Farm | Up to 5% |
USAA | Varies; will not qualify if you are involved in accidents or received driving convictions within the last three years |
Nationwide | Up to 5%, but only for drivers who were not involved in at-fault accidents over the last 35 months |
Travelers | Up to 8% for completing a course; up to 10% for having a safe record for three years, up to 23% for maintaining a safe driving record for five years |
AMerican Family | Up to 10% with additional reductions for no violations, claims, or accidents in the last five years |
Companies vary in terms of what the discount is based on, age, and driving record, so it’s important to speak with your insurance representative to get a more personalized quote.
Low Mileage
Seniors in Texas who drive less than 7,500 miles per year can get discounts of up to 20% off their premiums.
Pay-Per-Mile
Texas has alternative programs for car insurance discounts that include a pay-per-mile setup. You can find these with exclusive pay-per-mile insurance providers or big names like Nationwide.
This is an ideal program or discount for seniors in Texas who don’t have a commute, no longer go to work, or rarely drive.
With this program, you pay a low monthly rate for your car insurance and then a fixed amount per mile that you drive.
For example:
Margaret switched to a pay per mile program and she now pays $29 per month and a rate of six cents per mile that she drives each month. Last month Margaret drove 450 miles which, combined with her monthly fee meant her car insurance was $56 for the month.
Car insurance for seniors in Texas can drop by an average of 35% for those who have a vehicle they use sparingly if they switch from a low-mileage discount to a pay-per-mile insurance plan.
The average cost of car insurance for seniors in Texas, 65 years old, is a $76 per month premium or a $822 annual premium.
If a driver has an insurance policy that offers 10% off for low mileage, that means a 65-year-old is paying $66 per month. If that same individual, like Margaret, drove very sparingly, it would be cheaper to switch to something like a pay-per-mile plan. However, if someone like Margaret not only got a discount for low mileage but had combined discounts for loyalty programs and other affiliations, it might be cheaper to stick with a traditional plan.
Affinity Group Discount
When you are part of organizations like the AARP, you can often get discounts on insurance policies.
Homeowner Discount
Some providers in Texas give discounts for retirees who own their homes.
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.
State | Average Annual Premium |
Alabama | $1,750 |
Alaska | $1,890 |
Arizona | $1,920 |
Arkansas | $1,860 |
California | $1,919 |
Colorado | $2,150 |
Connecticut | $2,020 |
Delaware | $2,100 |
Florida | $2,300 |
Georgia | $1,980 |
Hawaii | $1,700 |
Idaho | $1,760 |
Illinois | $1,870 |
Indiana | $1,800 |
Iowa | $1,720 |
Kansas | $1,840 |
Kentucky | $2,010 |
Louisiana | $2,450 |
Maine | $1,690 |
Maryland | $2,080 |
Massachusetts | $2,000 |
Michigan | $2,500 |
Minnesota | $1,950 |
Mississippi | $1,830 |
Missouri | $1,810 |
Montana | $1,880 |
Nebraska | $1,910 |
Nevada | $2,200 |
New Hampshire | $1,740 |
New Jersey | $2,220 |
New Mexico | $1,900 |
New York | $2,300 |
North Carolina | $1,760 |
North Dakota | $1,890 |
Ohio | $1,720 |
Oklahoma | $1,870 |
Oregon | $1,980 |
Pennsylvania | $2,100 |
Rhode Island | $2,230 |
South Carolina | $2,050 |
South Dakota | $1,930 |
Tennessee | $1,750 |
Texas | $2,100 |
Utah | $1,880 |
Vermont | $1,710 |
Virginia | $1,790 |
Washington | $1,950 |
West Virginia | $1,930 |
Wisconsin | $1,780 |
Wyoming | $1,850 |
Our methodology
To evaluate car insurance companies for seniors in Texas, we use a comprehensive methodology that considers several critical factors. We compare average annual and monthly premiums, focusing on various age groups and driving records. Discount availability is assessed, including discounts for defensive driving courses, low mileage, and bundling policies.
Customer satisfaction scores from sources like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports are analyzed to gauge the overall customer experience, while financial stability is evaluated using ratings from agencies such as A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. We also examine the range of coverage options and special programs tailored to seniors, like usage-based insurance programs.
Quotes Analyzed
Years Of Industry Experience
Brands Reviewed
Research Hours
What insurance company has the cheapest rates for seniors?
GEICO generally offers the cheapest rates for seniors, with an average annual premium of around $1,270. They provide competitive pricing and various discounts tailored to older drivers.
Do car insurance rates go down when you retire?
Car insurance rates may go down when you retire if you drive fewer miles. Many insurers offer low mileage discounts, which can help reduce premiums for retired individuals who no longer commute daily.
Do car insurance premiums increase after 65?
Yes, car insurance premiums often increase after 65. This is due to factors like slower reflexes, increased accident risk, and higher medical costs associated with injuries, which lead insurers to raise rates for older drivers.