Throughout your driving life, you’ve been used to seeing your insurance rates decrease with each passing birthday celebration. Barring, of course, you haven’t been in a recent accident and have a good driving record.
But at 70, drivers will start seeing their rates steadily rise, which may come as a shock.
“If somebody has a clean driving history, we usually don’t see much of a change,” says Jana Foster, owner of Nevada Insurance Agency Co., a full-service brokerage with offices in Carson City and Reno. “But starting at around 70, 75 carriers begin to take a closer look.
“If they see some interesting things on your driving record, they may potentially start doing it (raising rates) a little earlier.”
The average national car insurance rate for a 70-year-old driver is about $1,563 per year or $130 per month, for a full coverage policy. That’s about $76 more than how much a driver would expect to pay at age 65, and $127 more than at age 60.
Read on to learn more about car insurance for 70-year-olds and ways to save on car insurance.
- For a full coverage policy, a 70-year-old driver pays an average of $1,563 per year or $130 monthly for car insurance.
- Male drivers will pay slightly more than females at this age, but not much.
- Males pay an average of $1,586 for a full coverage policy, while females pay $1,541.
What’s the average cost for a 70-year-old?
Average car insurance rates for 70-year-oldsThe average car insurance rate for a 70-year-old at three coverage levels is as follows per year:
- State minimum liability coverage: $509
- Liability coverage with limits of 50/100/50: $636
- 100/300/100 liability with a $500 comprehensive and collision deductible: $1,563
What you pay will vary depending on many factors, ranging from the insurance company you choose, to where you live, coverage levels and the deductible you select.
See the table below to see how much car insurance costs for males vs. females at various coverage levels in each state.
| State | State Minimum Female | State Minimum Male | Liability Only Female | Liability Only Male | Full Coverage Female | Full Coverage Male |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $370 | $377 | $451 | $455 | $1,338 | $1,370 |
| Alabama | $397 | $420 | $565 | $585 | $1,398 | $1,469 |
| Arkansas | $369 | $387 | $458 | $475 | $1,334 | $1,392 |
| Arizona | $486 | $514 | $689 | $712 | $1,457 | $1,531 |
| California | $631 | $631 | $914 | $914 | $2,155 | $2,155 |
| Colorado | $470 | $487 | $764 | $781 | $1,740 | $1,801 |
| Connecticut | $808 | $821 | $899 | $914 | $1,790 | $1,836 |
| Washington D.C. | $607 | $618 | $698 | $711 | $1,827 | $1,876 |
| Delaware | $833 | $861 | $1,021 | $1,046 | $1,983 | $2,054 |
| Florida | $908 | $923 | $1,596 | $1,618 | $2,531 | $2,632 |
| Georgia | $540 | $564 | $674 | $698 | $1,548 | $1,602 |
| Hawaii | $389 | $389 | $519 | $519 | $1,306 | $1,306 |
| Iowa | $277 | $287 | $341 | $351 | $1,182 | $1,227 |
| Idaho | $310 | $321 | $381 | $393 | $1,016 | $1,049 |
| Illinois | $454 | $465 | $507 | $519 | $1,357 | $1,400 |
| Indiana | $370 | $383 | $433 | $445 | $1,164 | $1,200 |
| Kansas | $413 | $415 | $440 | $443 | $1,386 | $1,429 |
| Kentucky | $628 | $630 | $824 | $829 | $1,832 | $1,868 |
| Louisiana | $662 | $685 | $1,233 | $1,246 | $2,531 | $2,587 |
| Massachusetts | $445 | $445 | $547 | $547 | $1,264 | $1,264 |
| Maryland | $662 | $671 | $704 | $713 | $1,554 | $1,600 |
| Maine | $319 | $322 | $322 | $326 | $1,023 | $1,064 |
| Michigan | $811 | $811 | $860 | $860 | $2,138 | $2,138 |
| Minnesota | $505 | $493 | $543 | $532 | $1,401 | $1,409 |
| Missouri | $498 | $525 | $567 | $600 | $1,731 | $1,841 |
| Mississippi | $416 | $433 | $567 | $586 | $1,432 | $1,498 |
| Montana | $363 | $363 | $504 | $504 | $1,658 | $1,658 |
| North Carolina | $404 | $404 | $444 | $444 | $1,317 | $1,317 |
| North Dakota | $347 | $348 | $363 | $364 | $1,171 | $1,211 |
| Nebraska | $348 | $362 | $386 | $400 | $1,834 | $1,892 |
| New Hampshire | $426 | $431 | $469 | $474 | $1,290 | $1,302 |
| New Jersey | $1,043 | $1,029 | $1,194 | $1,183 | $1,913 | $1,925 |
| New Mexico | $403 | $416 | $595 | $608 | $1,462 | $1,514 |
| Nevada | $698 | $745 | $1,050 | $1,100 | $1,929 | $2,057 |
| New York | $974 | $981 | $1,071 | $1,081 | $2,135 | $2,209 |
| Ohio | $306 | $319 | $371 | $384 | $982 | $1,013 |
| Oklahoma | $350 | $367 | $551 | $566 | $1,579 | $1,660 |
| Oregon | $590 | $575 | $641 | $625 | $1,240 | $1,241 |
| Pennsylvania | $335 | $335 | $436 | $436 | $1,225 | $1,225 |
| Rhode Island | $679 | $680 | $841 | $840 | $1,873 | $1,898 |
| South Carolina | $709 | $712 | $907 | $901 | $1,940 | $1,960 |
| South Dakota | $281 | $291 | $305 | $316 | $1,352 | $1,420 |
| Tennessee | $352 | $369 | $438 | $457 | $1,261 | $1,320 |
| Texas | $567 | $596 | $716 | $737 | $1,788 | $1,867 |
| Utah | $543 | $567 | $676 | $705 | $1,416 | $1,481 |
| Virginia | $491 | $516 | $494 | $524 | $1,201 | $1,270 |
| Vermont | $296 | $306 | $329 | $341 | $1,086 | $1,118 |
| Washington | $486 | $491 | $639 | $643 | $1,215 | $1,245 |
| Wisconsin | $348 | $368 | $390 | $416 | $1,219 | $1,293 |
| West Virginia | $459 | $461 | $520 | $522 | $1,533 | $1,542 |
| Wyoming | $289 | $296 | $330 | $338 | $1,577 | $1,629 |
Note:
- State Minimum: State Minimum Liability Only
- Liability Only: 50/100/50 Liability Only
- Full Coverage: 100/300/100 is liability with comp/collision and $500 deductible.
Check out our detailed guide on what are the average car insurance rates by age
How much is car insurance for a 70-year-old each month?
The table below shows how much car insurance costs for a 70-year-old per month, on average.
| Coverage level | National average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Liability-only coverage | $42 |
| 50/100/50 coverage | $53 |
| Full 100/300/100 coverage | $130 |
How much is car insurance for a 70-year-old male?
At age 70, men pay an average of $1,586 for a full coverage policy. While that is about $45 more than what a woman pays per year, it’s still comparable. It’s also a far cry from their teens and early 20s when males are assessed substantially more than females.
For example, a 20-year-old male driver pays almost $470 more per year than a female driver for a full coverage policy.
| 70-year-old policy male | Yearly national average |
|---|---|
| Liability-only coverage | $514 |
| 50/100/50 coverage | $642 |
| Full 100/300/100 coverage | $1,586 |
How much is car insurance for a 70-year-old female?
A 70-year-old female driver with a good driving record will still enjoy some of the cheapest rates of their life, but rates are heading back up.
The average national cost of a full coverage insurance policy for a 70-year-old female with a $500 comprehensive/collision deductible is $1,541. That’s an increase of about $69 from what they would pay if aged 65.
| 70-year-old policy female | Yearly national average |
|---|---|
| Liability-only coverage | $503 |
| 50/100/50 coverage | $631 |
| Full 100/300/100 coverage | $1,541 |
What’s the best car insurance for 70-year-old drivers?
The bare minimum is liability car insurance, which pays for others’ injuries and damage you cause to their property in an accident. But typically, the state-minimum coverage isn’t enough – particularly, as you accumulate assets, such as a house and various investments. Medical costs can quickly escalate if significant injuries follow an accident and property damages, potentially putting your assets at risk.
If you’re financing a vehicle, lenders usually require comprehensive and collision coverage. If you paid off your car, you decide to continue with these coverages, which cover your car following a crash and for damage due to fire, hail, vandalism and animal strikes.
Most older adults get comprehensive insurance and collision coverage, which pays for repairs following an accident. If you have a higher deductible, you can lower your rate, but will have to pay for minor repairs following an accident.
Foster says drivers at this age typically drive less and their driving time changes. They may avoid driving in rush hours, limit driving at night and stick closer to home. That’s not always the case, of course.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says in a report on older drivers that the number of drivers aged 70 and older is growing. That’s partly because they make up a more significant proportion of the population than they used to, but also because they’re keeping their licenses longer.
Drivers aged 65-69 have the lowest property damage liability and collision claims rates per insured vehicle. However, starting after age 70, those rates begin to climb.
Car insurance discounts for 70-year-olds
The three most significant factors for getting the lowest insurance rates are to stay accident-free, have a clean, infraction-free driving record and maintain a good credit score.
After that, it pays to look for various discounts and affiliations that could bring further savings.
While people at this age are less likely to take advantage of discounts for establishing paperless billing, carriers often offer them. Paying your premium upfront, bundling discounts and multi-vehicle discounts are also available.
If you’ve retired, many carriers will still offer discounted rates to former employees of companies or corporate retiree associations that may have partnerships.
Kevin Lynch, an associate professor of insurance at The American College of Financial Services, says you may also want to consider joining seniors-oriented organizations like the AARP that have partnerships with insurers. AARP, for example, has partnered with The Hartford for discounted rates for seniors.
“Don’t forget to remember the value in bundling insurance,” he adds. Even if you sell your home and move into a condo or retirement village, there’s still an opportunity to bundle auto with condo or renter’s insurance.
“Several carriers that previously only offered auto insurance have partnered with other companies and can now offer discounts for bundled auto and home insurance,” he says. He points to Geico as a prime example.
Final thoughts on car insurance for 70-year-olds
Many drivers will continue to be healthy and drive well into their 80s and even 90s. However, your rates will increase, and insurers may ask more questions.
Nevada Insurance Agency’s Foster says the carriers begin to scrutinize your driving record more closely, watching for abrupt changes.
“From 75 up, the questions they ask and how they look at your risk profile gets harder,” she says.
It’s wise to shop around and compare rates from multiple insurance providers. This should help you get an excellent policy at the best price with an online calculator.
You might also be interested in Car insurance for teens:
- How much is car insurance for a 16-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 17-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 18-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 19-year-old?
Car insurance for young adults:
- How much is car insurance for a 20-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 21-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 22-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 23-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 24-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 25-year-old?
Car insurance for adults:
- How much is car insurance for a 30-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 40-year-old?
- How much is car insurance for a 50-year-old?
Car insurance for seniors:
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. “ Report on Older Drivers.” Accessed May 2023.
- AARP. “Auto and Property Insurance.” Accessed May 2023.
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services in 2023 to field rates for auto insurance for 70-year-olds at various coverage levels and for males and females by gender.
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