For drivers, car insurance rates start to increase around age 65, according to CarInsurance.com data. That’s not surprising. Older drivers have higher crash deaths than drivers between the ages of 35 and 54, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC data also shows that 20 older adults are killed every day in car crashes.
But that doesn’t mean seniors can’t find good deals on car insurance. Our guide will help you find the cheapest rates for seniors in California and learn other ways to save on auto insurance premiums.
- The average car insurance cost for a 65-year-old driver in California is $2,284 per year for a full coverage policy.
- A 70-year-old driver in California pays 6% more for full coverage than a 65-year-old driver, based on CarInsurance.com research.
- In California, a 75-year-old driver pays for a full coverage policy 11% more a 65-year-old driver.
- Shopping around for car insurance in California – every six months or annually around renewal time can help you get the best rate.
Cheapest car insurance companies for seniors in California
Find the cheapest full coverage car insurance rates in California for drivers of different ages below.
- Cheapest for seniors, overall: Geico, $161 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 65: Geico, $153 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 70: Geico, $160 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 75: Geico, $171 per month.
Compare cheap car insurance quotes for senior drivers in California
State minimum car insurance refers to the least amount of coverage that a driver is legally required to have in a particular state. This typically includes liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage to others if you are at fault in an accident. Each state sets its own minimum requirements for coverage limits.
Liability car insurance with limits of 50/100/50 means:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident for bodily injury per accident
- $50,000 per accident for property damage
A liability policy covers expenses for injuries and damages you cause to others in an accident, but not your own injuries or vehicle damage.
Full coverage insurance with limits of 100/300/100 includes higher liability limits:
- $100,000 per person for bodily injury
- $300,000 per accident for bodily injury to multiple people
- $100,000 per accident for property damage
Full coverage also typically includes:
- Collision coverage: Pays for damages to your car from a collision.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers damages to your car from non-collision events (e.g., theft, fire, vandalism).
Full coverage ensures you are covered for a wide range of incidents, both for your liability to others and for your own vehicle’s damage.
Below, find the cheapest car insurance rates in California from major insurers for three coverage levels: state minimum, liability-only with limits of 50/100/50 and full coverage with 100/300/100 limits.
Select your age and type of coverage below to see the average annual and monthly rates.
| Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
- Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability with $500 comprehensive/collision deductible
- Liability only: 50/100/50 liability only
- State minimum: State minimum coverage
Why do car insurance rates increase for senior drivers in California?
Insurance rates for older drivers tend to increase due to several factors. Statistics suggest that seniors are more likely to be involved in accidents compared to younger drivers, excluding teen drivers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Despite decades of driving experience, older drivers face age-related problems like hearing or vision loss, slower reflexes, side effects from medication and other health concerns that make driving more challenging.
According to the CDC, drivers aged over 70 have higher crash death rates per 1,000 crashes compared to those aged 35-54. NHTSA data also shows that in 2020, senior drivers 65 and older were involved in 13% of fatal accidents, marking a 26% increase since 2011.
In addition, seniors are more likely to require medical care, even after a less severe accident, and expensive hospital bills will increase the insurance cost.
“Unfortunately, as we move past middle age, the odds of being more severely injured or dying in a car crash increase significantly,” says Carole Walker, executive director at Rocky Mountain Insurance Association.
“Statistically, older drivers have a higher risk of causing a crash, but an even bigger factor adding to higher car insurance bills are common health problems that make them more prone to being hurt and incurring medical bills – even in low-speed or less serious crashes,” she says.
This leads to higher car insurance costs. CarInsurance.com’s data show that premiums rise for most senior drivers starting in their mid-60s and keep increasing. In California, a full coverage policy costs an average of $2,284 for a 65-year-old driver, while a 70-year-old driver pays $2,416.
70-year-old drivers pay 6% more for full coverage than 65-year-olds and 75-year-old drivers pays 11% more for a full coverage policy
The table below highlights the annual average rate increases for senior drivers in California based on age and different coverage levels:
| Age | State minimum | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $549 | $837 | $2,284 |
| 70 | $604 | $913 | $2,416 |
| 75 | $659 | $992 | $2,571 |
Coverage types:
- Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability with $500 comp/coll Deductible
- Liability only: 50/100/50 liability only
- State minimum: State minimum coverage only
Find out how much insurance costs for seniors
Cheapest car insurance for seniors with tickets in California
A speeding ticket or other moving violation will raise your insurance rates regardless of your age. Insurers love statistics, and data show that a driver with a ticket on their record is more likely to get in an accident that may result in a claim.
While the increase will vary by the insurance company, according to CarInsurance.com, California, drivers can expect their rates to go up 47% after a speeding ticket that is 1-29 mph over the limit.
Seniors with a speeding ticket or minor moving violation should expect to pay more for coverage. According to our analysis, the best insurance companies for seniors with tickets are mentioned below.
| Company | Annual rates with 1 speeding ticket | Monthly rates with 1 speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $2,653 | $221 |
| Geico | $2,869 | $239 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $3,104 | $259 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $3,188 | $266 |
| State Farm | $3,249 | $271 |
| Progressive | $3,314 | $276 |
| Allstate | $3,419 | $285 |
| Travelers | $3,481 | $290 |
| Farmers | $4,005 | $334 |
| Nationwide | $4,768 | $397 |
| USAA* | $2,168 | $181 |
Compare senior car insurance rates in neighboring states
Cheapest car insurance for seniors with DUIs in California
A DUI is a serious driving violation; your insurance rates will soar once it hits your driving record. In most cases, your insurance premium will double if you have a DUI. According to CarInsurance.com in some states, the increase can be as much as 224% after your first DUI. If you manage to rack up a second DUI, the increase could be as much as 461%.
Getting affordable coverage (or any coverage) becomes challenging after a DUI, but our data show these are some affordable insurers for seniors with a DUI in California:
| Company | Annual rates with DUI first offense | Monthly rates with DUI first offense |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $3,318 | $277 |
| Geico | $4,628 | $386 |
| Travelers | $4,925 | $410 |
| Progressive | $5,208 | $434 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $6,827 | $569 |
| Nationwide | $7,296 | $608 |
| State Farm | $7,564 | $630 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $9,066 | $756 |
| Allstate | $9,330 | $778 |
| Farmers | $11,877 | $990 |
| USAA* | $5,528 | $461 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors after an accident in California
Much like a ticket or DUI, having an accident on your driving record will raise your insurance rates. While the increase varies by insurer, our data show that drivers can expect their premium to jump by 75% after one at-fault accident with property damage exceeding $2,000.
The increase will typically stay in place for three to five years, so it’s important to find the most affordable insurance company. Our data shows that the following insurers offer the cheapest car insurance for seniors after an accident in California.
| Company | Annual rates with 1 at-fault accident | Monthly rates with 1 at-fault accident |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Insurance | $3,288 | $274 |
| Progressive | $3,547 | $296 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | $3,572 | $298 |
| State Farm | $3,622 | $302 |
| Geico | $3,727 | $311 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | $3,824 | $319 |
| Travelers | $4,022 | $335 |
| Farmers | $4,661 | $388 |
| Nationwide | $4,824 | $402 |
| Allstate | $5,563 | $464 |
| USAA* | $2,927 | $244 |
How can seniors save on car insurance in California?
Auto insurance for seniors can be expensive, but there are ways to save. The following are easy ways to reduce your premiums:
- Shop around: Shopping regularly for car insurance – every six months or yearly around renewal time – can ensure you have the best price.
- Raise your deductible: Increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can save you a bit of money every month – but make sure you have the necessary funds to cover the higher deductible.
- Ask about discounts: Discounts – bundling with homeowners insurance, loyalty discounts and discounts for years of being licensed – are a great way to save on your car insurance. More on discounts below.
Editor’s Tip:Take a senior driving course: With an approved defensive driving course, seniors can save up to 4% on their car insurance in California. The American Automobile Association(AAA) and AARP offer defensive driving courses for senior drivers in California.
Car insurance discounts for senior drivers in California
Here are some car insurance discounts to help seniors reduce their insurance costs.
| Discount type | Potential annual savings |
|---|---|
| Defensive driver | 4% |
| Lower annual mileage | 12% |
| Loyalty – years renewal with company | 11% |
| Marital status | 10% |
| Multi policy | 9% |
| Primary use | 9% |
| Safety devices | 3% |
| Telematics | 5% |
| Years insured | 9% |
| Years licensed | 41% |
Choosing the cheapest and best car insurance for seniors in California
Senior drivers generally pay higher premiums than younger adult drivers. If you want an affordable policy, carefully evaluate your needs and determine the coverage amount. When shopping for insurance, consider the price, customer service and available discounts.
Find the best auto insurance companies online to see which carrier provides affordable rates and easy-to-use websites or apps.
FAQ: Cheap car insurance for seniors in California
Who has the cheapest state minimum auto insurance for seniors in California?
According to our data, Geico offers the cheapest state minimum auto insurance for seniors in California at about $386 a year, on average. State Farm and Progressive also scored high when it comes to cheap state minimum insurance coverage for seniors in California.
Which companies offer the cheapest liability car insurance for seniors in California?
Geico has the cheapest liability car insurance coverage for senior drivers in California at an average annual premium of $617. State Farm and Progressive also offer cheap liability insurance rates to seniors in California, based on CarInsurance.com data analysis.
Does State Farm offer a senior discount in California?
State Farm does not currently offer a senior discount in California, but it does offer quite a few deals that seniors can use to lower their premiums. This includes discounts for taking a defensive driving course, a safe driving discount, long-term customer, bundling and discounts for advanced safety features on your vehicle.
Bottom line
Geico offers the cheapest car insurance quotes for senior drivers in California for a full coverage policy, based on a CarInsurance.com analysis.
By shopping around and comparing rates online from different insurers, seniors can find the best deal on their car insurance. Additionally, senior drivers could qualify for discounts by taking defensive driving courses or bundling their car insurance with other types of insurance.
Check out how to shop for car insurance for seniors
Resources & Methodology
Additional resources
There are several resources available for older drivers who want to stay safe behind the wheel and save on their insurance premiums:
- American Automobile Association: AAA helps senior drivers to continue driving for as long and safely as possible.
- AARP (American Association of Retired Persons): AARP’s smart driver program helps senior drivers to learn proven driving techniques and save money on car insurance.
- National Institute on Aging: The NIA provides tips to senior drivers about health and driving and offers free publications to aging seniors to answer health-related queries.
- Fitness-to-Drive Screening Measure Online: This web-based tool helps family members identify at-risk drivers.
- Eldercare Locator: Helps senior drivers maintain their independence, and provides information about highway safety for aging drivers and services.
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. “Older Adult Drivers.” Accessed March 2025.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Fatality Facts 2021 Older People.” Accessed March 2025.
- National Safety Council. “Motor Vehicle: Age Group Comparisons.” Accessed March 2025.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).” Accessed March 2025.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com gathered car insurance rates for senior drivers from Quadrant Information Services. The rates are for a full coverage policy with limits 100/300/100 and a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible based on sample profiles of 65, 70 & 75 year old male and female drivers with clean driving records. We have compared 53,409,632 car insurance quotes across 34,588 ZIP codes from 170 national and regional car insurance companies.
To determine car insurance rates for senior drivers with a history of traffic violations, CarInsurance.com used a sample profile of a 65-year-old driver who owns a Honda Accord LX. We have compared 50,73,544 insurance quotes from 138 companies across 1,468 ZIP codes.
Car insurance rates are calculated by evaluating the sample profile of a 65-year-old male and female driver with the following incidents applied
- One at-fault property damage accident over $2K
- One at-fault property damage accident under $2K
- At-fault bodily injury accidents
- DUI/DWI first offense.
- Speeding ticket (1-10 MPH over the limit,11-29 MPH over the limit & 30+ over limit)
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparison purposes.
Note: USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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