Drivers typically see an increase in car insurance rates starting at age 65, according to CarInsurance.com data. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that older drivers have higher fatal crash rates than those aged 35 to 54.
However, seniors in Maryland can still find affordable car insurance. Our guide provides tips on securing the cheapest rates for seniors in Maryland and helps save on auto insurance premiums.
- The average car insurance cost for a 65-year-old driver in Maryland is $1,762 per year for a full coverage policy.
- A 70-year-old driver in Maryland pays 2% more for full coverage than a 65-year-old driver, based on CarInsurance.com research.
- In Maryland, a 75-year-old driver pays for a full coverage policy 5% more a 65-year-old driver.
- Shopping around for car insurance in Maryland – every six months or annually around renewal time can help you get the best rate.
Cheapest car insurance companies for seniors in Maryland
Here are the most affordable full coverage car insurance rates in Maryland for drivers of different ages:
- Cheapest for seniors, overall: Nationwide, $111 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 65: Nationwide, $111 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 70: Nationwide, $111 per month.
- Cheapest for seniors at age 75: Nationwide, $111 per month.
Compare cheap car insurance quotes for senior drivers in Maryland
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 are the cheapest Maryland rates the major car insurance companies offer for three different coverage levels: The state minimum, liability-only coverage with limits of 50/100/50 and full coverage car insurance with liability limits of 100/300/100.
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 Maryland?
As drivers age, car insurance typically becomes more expensive. This is largely because statistics reveal that seniors, on average, are more involved in accidents than younger drivers, excluding teenagers, 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.
The CDC found that drivers older than 70 have higher crash death rates per 1,000 crashes than drivers aged 35-54 and NHTSA statistics show that senior drivers 65 and older were involved in 13% of fatal accidents in 2020, which is up 26% from 2011.
In addition, older drivers are more likely to need medical treatment even after a minor accident, and steep hospital expenses contribute to an overall increase in insurance rates.
“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.
According to an analysis by CarInsurance.com, rates start to climb for most senior drivers in their mid-60s and continue to increase from then on.
In Maryland, the average cost for a full coverage policy is $1,762 for a 65-year-old and $1,801 for a 70-year-old.
In Maryland, 70-year-old drivers pay 2% more for full coverage than 65-year-olds and 75-year-olds pay 5% more for a full coverage policy, based on CarInsurance.com data.
Find below the annual average rate increases for senior drivers in Maryland by age and different coverage limits.
Age | State minimum | Liability only | Full coverage |
---|---|---|---|
65 | $767 | $802 | $1,762 |
70 | $785 | $821 | $1,801 |
75 | $806 | $844 | $1,845 |
Coverage types:
- Full coverage: 100/300/100 liability with $500 comprehensive/collision deductible
- Liability only: 50/100/50 liability only
- State minimum: State minimum coverage
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- How much does car insurance cost in Maryland?
Cheapest car insurance for seniors with tickets in Maryland
A speeding ticket or other moving violation will increase your insurance premiums regardless of age. Insurers value statistics, and the data show that drivers who have tickets are more likely to be involved in accidents that might lead to claims.
The rate hike will differ between insurance companies, but Maryland drivers can expect a 39% increase in their premiums after receiving a speeding ticket for driving 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 |
---|---|---|
Geico | $1,702 | $142 |
Nationwide | $1,940 | $162 |
Erie Insurance | $2,034 | $170 |
State Farm | $2,324 | $194 |
Progressive | $2,447 | $204 |
Travelers | $2,915 | $243 |
Kemper | $2,922 | $244 |
Allstate | $4,214 | $351 |
USAA* | $1,216 | $101 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors with DUIs in Maryland
A DUI is a major offense, and your insurance rates will rise significantly once it shows on your driving record. In most instances, your premium will double with a DUI. According to CarInsurance.com, in some states, rates can increase by 83% after the first DUI and up to 122% after a second.
After a DUI, finding affordable or any coverage can be difficult, but based on our data, the companies below are the best insurers for seniors with a DUI in Maryland:
Company | Annual rates with DUI first offense | Monthly rates with DUI first offense |
---|---|---|
Geico | $1,678 | $140 |
Erie Insurance | $2,034 | $170 |
State Farm | $2,324 | $194 |
Progressive | $2,736 | $228 |
Travelers | $3,071 | $256 |
Nationwide | $3,218 | $268 |
Allstate | $4,057 | $338 |
Kemper | $4,913 | $409 |
USAA* | $2,717 | $226 |
Cheapest car insurance rates by state for senior drivers
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Cheapest car insurance for seniors after an accident in Maryland
Similar to a ticket or DUI, an accident on your record will lead to higher insurance rates. Although the exact increase depends on the insurer, data show drivers can expect a 64% hike in premiums after an at-fault accident with property damage over $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 Maryland.
Company | Annual rates with 1 at-fault accident | Monthly rates with 1 at-fault accident |
---|---|---|
Geico | $2,074 | $173 |
Nationwide | $2,358 | $197 |
Erie Insurance | $2,504 | $209 |
State Farm | $2,631 | $219 |
Travelers | $2,811 | $234 |
Progressive | $3,060 | $255 |
Kemper | $3,840 | $320 |
Allstate | $5,109 | $426 |
USAA* | $1,891 | $158 |
How can seniors save on car insurance in Maryland?
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.
Take a senior driving course: With an approved defensive driving course, seniors can save up to 5% on their car insurance in Maryland. The American Automobile Association(AAA) and AARP offer defensive driving courses for senior drivers in Maryland.
Car insurance discounts for senior drivers in Maryland
Here are some car insurance discounts to help seniors lower their insurance costs. See how much seniors can save, on average, in the table below.
Discount type | Potential annual savings |
---|---|
Air bags | 1% |
Anti-theft device | 1% |
Daily commute | 5% |
Days advanced purchase | 7% |
Days per week driven | 5% |
Defensive driver | 5% |
Education | 7% |
Electronic funds transfer | 4% |
Electronic signature | 10% |
Homeowner | 4% |
Lower annual mileage | 5% |
Loyalty – years renewal with company | 3% |
Marital status | 6% |
Multi policy | 8% |
Paperless/electronic documents | 4% |
Payment type | 8% |
Primary use | 11% |
Profession | 11% |
Safety devices | 4% |
Telematics | 10% |
Years insured | 20% |
Years licensed | 29% |
Choosing the cheapest and best car insurance for seniors in Maryland
Senior drivers, except teen drivers, shell out higher premiums than younger adult drivers. If you are looking for an affordable policy, carefully evaluate your needs and decide the amount of coverage to purchase. While shopping for insurance, consider the price, customer service and the discounts they offer.
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 Maryland
Who has the cheapest state minimum auto insurance for seniors in Maryland?
According to our data, Geico offers the cheapest state minimum auto insurance for seniors in Maryland at about $493 a year, on average. Erie Insurance and Nationwide also scored high when it comes to cheap state minimum insurance coverage for seniors in Maryland.
Which companies offer the cheapest liability car insurance for seniors in Maryland?
Geico has the cheapest liability car insurance coverage for senior drivers in Maryland at an average annual premium of $536. Erie Insurance and Nationwide also offer cheap liability insurance rates to seniors in Maryland, based on CarInsurance.com data analysis.
Does State Farm offer a senior discount in Maryland?
State Farm does not currently offer a senior discount in Maryland, 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
A CarInsurance.com analysis found that Nationwide provides the cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes for senior drivers in Maryland.
Shopping around and comparing online rates from different insurers can help seniors find the best car insurance deals. Additionally, senior drivers might qualify for discounts by taking defensive driving courses or bundling their car insurance with another policy.
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 November 2024.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Fatality Facts 2021 Older People.” Accessed November 2024.
- National Safety Council. “Motor Vehicle: Age Group Comparisons.” Accessed November 2024.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration “U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).” Accessed November 2024.
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.