5 Buying Auto Insurance Tips for Seniors

For many senior citizens, driving a car continues to be an integral part of their day-to-day lives and enjoying their retirement years. However, because many seniors have a fixed income, finding affordable car insurance to cover their needs is more important than ever.

Accordingly, here are five buying auto insurance tips for seniors: review your current policy, ask for a discount, improve your driving resume, assess your vehicle, and finally, compare auto insurance providers before you purchase anything

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The age limit for what classifies a senior may differ from state-to-state, region, or organization. For example, the youngest a person may be to collect any social security benefits from the U.S. Government is 62. Texas City , on the other hand, offers various kinds of senior focused programs for people aged 55 and above.

In terms of auto insurance providers, however, policies and rates may vary for drivers aged 50 through 65 or above, and are dependent on additional factors like the car you have, your driving record, and the amount of coverage you require.

It?s important to remember, while you consider your auto insurance options, that no one can be denied coverage based solely on their age.

Review Your Policy

Regardless of if your current car insurance is set to expire or not, it?s always a good idea to take the time and review the policy you?re currently paying to determine if your circumstances have changed. The amount and type of coverage you require may be different now from when you took out the policy originally, or perhaps you foresee changes to your lifestyle in the not so distant future. In other words, your current car insurance may no longer suit your driving habits.

Some of the things to consider when you review your current policy include:

• Are you driving your car as often?
• When are you typically driving the car?
• Do you drive in high traffic areas more or less these days?
• Are you driving less often at night or traveling shorter distances?
• Have there been any changes in terms of who is driving your car?

The answers to these questions, and other inquiries that insurance providers might ask, could determine the kind of insurance policy you need as a senior driver.

Due to the fact many seniors are reliant upon a fixed or diminished income; you will want to ensure you are protected from any costly damages that may result from a car accident.

While most states require you to have at least some amount of liability insurance?to drive a car, you may want to explore additional coverage if you haven?t carried any for your vehicle in the past.

Although liability insurance will cover some or all of the damages another person or property incurs from a car accident you?re determined to have caused, it will not cover any required repairs to your own vehicle. In order to protect yourself from these costs, which could come to thousands of dollars, you will need to purchase collision insurance for your car. You may also want to buy comprehensive insurance, which will cover damages to your car that occur from acts of nature or non-motorists, like a hailstorm, fire, or theft.

Make sure you review your current car insurance, and any new policy you?re considering carefully, to make sure it provides coverage for various types of damages at a price you can afford.

Ask For a Discount

Because many seniors are facing a tight budget, it?s always a good idea to inquire about getting a discount on your car insurance. Providers understand that many seniors are experienced drivers, who, depending on when they earned their driver?s license, may have been operating vehicles for decades.

In other words, most senior drivers have extensive experience driving in a variety of settings and weather conditions, and as a result, are typically considered competent drivers.

In addition, many insurance providers like the fact that most seniors are considered responsible drivers, who are less likely to be involved in high-risk behaviors like driving too fast, passing cars recklessly or socializing on their cell phone while driving. As a result, insurance companies may offer you a discount to attract business from drivers that are deemed safe and reliable.

Depending on the insurance provider you?re dealing with, and where you reside, you could be eligible for a discount ranging from 5 to 10%.

These discounts, however, are typically offered to senior drivers who have a clean driving record and who have not been involved in any car accidents that they were found to have caused. Some companies may also offer discounts to loyal customers who are looking to renew their policy and have been with them for an extended period of time.

Another way for retirees to get a discount on their auto insurance is to join a senior-based organization like the American Association of Retired Persons , who have membership programs that come with car insurance discounts. Although the eligibility requirements for these programs often differ, just like asking your provider directly for a discount, having a clean driving record with few or no accidents is considered a strong asset.

For seniors who no longer drive very often, you may qualify for a low mileage program and a subsequent discount on your car insurance. Although the requirements for such programs can vary, many insurance providers offer discount rates based on how many miles you typically drive in a month or a certain period of time.

Retirees may also want to explore taking out part-time insurance policies for cars they may own, but only drive in limited circumstances. For example, if you own an antique or classic car?that you only drive during certain occasions, a part-time policy will be a much more affordable option for that vehicle. You can check with an insurance provider to see if your vehicle and situation qualifies.

In addition, some auto insurance companies also offer discounts to retired military veterans?and personnel, as a sign of appreciation for their service and commitment.

Improve Your Driving Resume

Although many insurance providers view seniors as reliable and safe drivers, the premiums elderly people pay to drive often increase as they grow older, particularly after the age of 65. As people age their reflexes and overall health generally deteriorate, making them a more likely risk to be involved in a car accident and further, to require extensive medical treatment afterwards.

?Any documented health issues, particularly those that affect a senior?s ability to drive like poor eyesight, could also have an impact on the kind of insurance policy you?re offered.

In order to demonstrate to insurance providers that you continue to be a safe and competent driver, you may want to consider enrolling in driving lessons to improve your chances of receiving affordable car insurance. Some organizations, like Safety Center Incorporated, offer driving lessons that are specifically oriented towards drivers over the age of 55. Courses like this help educate seniors about new safety issues and laws that some elderly people might not be familiar with, and typically offer insights on how aging and various kinds of medication might affect someone?s driving.

Seniors who have completed these lessons, and thus, have further enhanced their driving resume, are more likely to receive lower car insurance rates as a result.

Assess Your Vehicle

Retirees and elderly drivers may also want to assess the vehicle they are utilizing, as an older car that is not equipped with modern safety devices and is more likely to be involved in a costly accident will also raise your premiums. Whether you can afford to upgrade your current car to make it safer, or buy a new vehicle altogether, insurance companies are more likely to offer lower rates if your car is equipped with modern safety features. Some of these include airbags, crumple zones, safety cages, anti-lock-braking systems, and parking sensors, among others.

Research online or talk to an automotive dealer or insurance provider to see which vehicles are best suited for senior drivers, and will result in lower insurance rates for you.

Compare Insurance Providers

Before you cancel or renew your current car insurance policy, make sure you do some research and find out what other insurance providers are offering senior drivers. Even if you?ve been with the same company for some time, and are happy with the service they have provided, it doesn?t hurt to look around and see if more affordable and suitable policies are available.

In addition, some insurance providers will match or beat what another competitor is offering, so having that information on hand could be extremely useful if you decide to renew or change your policy.?If you?re living on a fixed income, researching what each insurance provider is offering could save you some serious money and will be well worth your time.

Buying New Insurance

It?s important to remember when you?re considering your car insurance options that many providers will automatically renew your current policy to ensure you?re not without coverage. Although in most states providers are required by law to inform you that your renewal date is pending, you should refer to your current policy to make sure you?re aware of their cancellation policies, if you?ve elected to change companies. Make sure, however, that you?ve done the necessary research, and you?ve decided on another insurance provider, so that your new car insurance is ready to go when it?s required.

Research affordable car insurance options for seniors by clicking here?to enter your ZIP code into the FREE search tool!

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