What are the government-mandated auto insurance discounts for seniors?

Government-mandated auto insurance discounts for seniors are discounts required by 34 states and Washington, D.C. for senior drivers who pass an approved mature driver safety course. The minimum age for a government-mandated insurance discount varies by state, ranging from 50 to 65 years old.

5 Steps to Getting a Senior Driver Discount

1. Ask your insurance company about their policies in your state

Even if a discount isn’t required in your location, some insurers still provide them to encourage their customers to improve their driving techniques.

2. Find an approved course

AAA, AARP, and the National Safety Council are three of the many organizations that provide mature driver safety courses, and members can take the class for a discounted cost. Certain insurance companies also have affiliated courses.

3. Check whether the course needs to be online or in-person

Some states only require the discount for seniors who take an in-person class, although most allow the class to be taken online. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, AAA has cancelled in-person courses until further notice and AARP has cancelled them through at least 2021, so ask your insurer for up-to-date rules.

4. Register and take the class

Courses generally take between four and eight hours, and must be completed within a set timeframe after registering, often a month.

5. Submit proof of completion

Depending on the course and insurance carrier, a certificate might be sent to your insurance company automatically, or you might have to email or mail it yourself.

Mature driver courses are generally inexpensive compared to the long-term insurance savings they can unlock. While prices vary widely, online courses often range from $10 to $30, and you’ll save anywhere from 3% to 20% on your insurance every year with the discount, usually for three years. After three years, you can simply renew your discount by taking a course again. Some organizations even offer shorter courses if you’ve already taken one class and only need a refresher.

If your state and insurance company do not offer senior discounts for driving courses, you might be eligible for other discounts unrelated to your age, such as a good driver discount or a low mileage discount. And regardless of the discount, a mature driver course is always a good idea if you want to become safer behind the wheel.