The Responsibilities of the Elderly Driver

If you are 65 years of age or older, you may be considered an elderly driver by your insurance company. Elderly drivers can sometimes face higher monthly auto insurance rates because their age group is found to be at fault in a significant percentage of overall car accidents.

If you are in your 70s or older and are still driving — or if you have a parent or grandparent who is in this situation — it’s a good idea to learn more about what is expected of you as an elderly driver and what you can do to lower your car insurance rates.

What does it mean to be an elderly driver?

Many car insurance companies consider you an elderly driver if you are 65 years old or older and you have a valid driver’s license. Some insurance companies do not place policyholders in the category of elderly until they are in their early to mid-70s. Ultimately, it depends on who your insurer is.

Being defined as an elderly driver does not mean anything specific about your driving history or about the type of driver you are on the road. But depending on where you live, you may find that your state has specific requirements when it comes to keeping your driver’s license up-to-date.

Read More: When should the elderly stop driving?

The table below shows the different requirements for elderly drivers in all 50 U.S. states.

Elderly Driving Laws by State

As you can see, some states require you to take regular vision tests as well as in-person driving tests once you hit a certain age. Depending on how well you see and how quick your reflexes are, these regular tests could start to pose a major problem if you want to maintain your driver’s license as you age.

Can I stop an elderly person from driving?

If you want to know how to stop an elderly person from driving, there’s really not much you can do aside from encouraging them to stay up-to-date on their vision screenings and take a specific driving test for elderly drivers.

In states that do not require elderly drivers to meet specific requirements for their license as they age, figuring out how to stop elderly parents from driving can be frustrating and scary. This is especially true if you have witnessed your parent or grandparent make bad judgment calls while behind the wheel.

If you are worried that your parent or grandparent is driving and simply shouldn’t be, the best thing you can do is have a conversation with them in which you voice your concerns. You can also request that they speak to their primary care physician to get an unbiased expert opinion.

Read more: How To Stop Elderly Parents From Driving

How much is car insurance for elderly drivers?

The amount an elderly driver will pay in monthly car insurance rates depends on a variety of factors. Some of the most common factors that insurance companies look at when determining rates include:

• A person’s age
• A person’s driving record
• The amount of coverage requested
• The vehicle being covered
• The ZIP code
• A person’s gender

The list above is not exhaustive, but it gives you a good idea of what insurance companies will look for. If you are elderly, male, or have any blemishes on your driving record, you can expect to pay a higher-than-average rate for your auto insurance coverage.

The table below shows average annual car insurance rates for elderly drivers with different car insurance companies based on driving records.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Elderly Drivers Based on Driving Record

Insurance Company	Annual Rate with Clean Record	Annual Rate with One Accident	Annual Rate with Two Accidents	Annual Rate with One Speeding Violation	Average Annual Rate
	$4,443.71	$6,943.65	$7,249.56	$4,443.71	$6,212.31
	$6,120.34	$7,776.13	$6,805.94	$6,120.34	$6,900.80
	$3,019.15	$4,008.22	$3,329.09	$3,888.85	$3,452.15
	$3,438.13	$3,438.13	$5,103.17	$3,885.38	$3,993.14
	$4,027.54	$5,168.16	$4,712.66	$4,549.93	$4,636.12
	$2,893.93	$3,337.02	$3,964.20	$2,893.93	$3,398.38
	$2,019.21	$3,004.62	$3,544.58	$2,319.17	$2,856.14

You can see by the table above that most car insurance companies vary significantly in what they will charge an elderly driver based on his or her past driving experience. Additionally, if an elderly driver wants full coverage on the vehicle, monthly or annual rates will automatically be more expensive.

How can elderly drivers find cheap car insurance?

If you are considered an elderly driver and are concerned that your car insurance rates are too expensive, the best thing you can do is shop around online for more reasonable coverage. Compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies to figure out where you can find the best coverage at the most affordable rate.

You may also consider adding yourself to a child’s policy. This could help you receive multi-policy discounts, which may end up dropping your monthly rates significantly. If you know you want to stay on with your current insurance company if at all possible, speak to a representative to see if there are other car insurance discounts you may qualify for.