Auto Insurance Discounts

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Recently, there has been a lot of press regarding auto insurance rates for seniors and while there are discounts available on car insurance for older adults, some car insurance companies may be changing their mature discount policies.

According to insurance companies, drivers in their fifties should see some decrease in their rates, although it may not be automatic. Auto insurance agents should be reviewing your policy on a regular basis to see if there any discounts or other benefits that may be available to you.

If you have not reviewed your policy in some time, inquire with your current provider to see if it offers any senior discounts. Most of the auto insurance agencies we researched provide a 5%-10% discount at the age of 50 or 55.

The insurance industry has been paying close attention to the driving records of older adults, especially those people over sixty. They have found that while older drivers do not receive many citations, they have been filing more accident claims and this may lead to higher premiums.

As drivers get older, into their sixties and seventies, they may start to see their rates go up again. This is especially true if there is a claim filed for an accident, which could "red flag" the account with the insurance carrier. Now may be a good time to see if there are any driver education or other programs you may be able to take to get a lower rate.

There are now many defensive driving courses available to older drivers and taking them could reduce the amount you pay for your insurance. These classes are now available in most states and cost between $10 and $25 for a two-day (eight hour) course.

More than two-thirds of states mandate auto insurance policy discounts for such courses, and many insurance companies offer the discounts voluntarily. Insurance companies will typically provide a 10% discount on car insurance for a three year period upon completion of one of these courses, but check with your provider before you sign on.

The senior driving courses are available through local and state agencies as well as AAA and AARP. You can also check with your insurance agent to see what courses may be available to you.

Here are some other discounts that may be available to you: There are discounts available for retired individuals. If you are retired and are not employed full time, you may be eligible for a discount of up to 5% off your car insurance.

Age requirements for this type of discount vary by state and insurance carrier. You could also save on Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Some companies will provide a discount if a minimum amount of the driving mileage is by anyone over a specified age.

Be careful on the roads out there. The best way to keep your rates down is to avoid citations and accidents.

David Smidt is the President of SeniorDiscounts, a directory of discounts for people over 50 years of age. David is the cofounder of SeniorDiscounts and has been producing an online newsletter about discounts for seniors for over 6 years.

For more information you can visit the web site at: SeniorDiscounts

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