Can a driver safety course help senior drivers and retirees save on car insurance?

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Older drivers may be in for an unpleasant surprise when their auto insurance renewal arrives. While average car insurance rates steadily decline during a person’s lifetime, premiums begin creeping upward around age 65.

According to data from CarInsurance.com, an average 60-year-old might pay $471 annually for state minimum coverage. That rises to $488 by age 65. By age 75, drivers pay an average of $589 for state minimum coverage, roughly the same as a 25-year-old.

A senior driving course may be one way to rein in rising rates. These classes may go by many names, such as senior driver education, defensive driving, or mature driver safety, but the goal is the same.

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“Generally, they are marketed at anyone age 55 or older,” says Ezra Peterson, senior director of insurance for Way.com, a car ownership website. “They are designed to improve defensive driving in someone who isn’t driving as much anymore.”

Several states require insurers to offer older drivers a discount on their premiums if they complete a driver safety course. The amount of savings varies by insurer, but a 15% discount for three years is typical.

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“It’s always great to sharpen your skills,” says Colleen Parsons, a client advisor with World Insurance Associates in Rochester, New York. “There’s technology with newer cars that can be great but also very confusing.”

Not sure whether you would benefit from taking a mature driver safety class? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a free online self-assessment with tips for gauging your physical fitness and overall driving acuity and links to several safety course providers.

Where can I find a defensive driving course?

Senior driving courses are available online from various organizations and companies for a modest fee, typically $30 or less. Contact your insurer, who can refer you to a reputable driver safety course that meets your state’s guidelines. You can also contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

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Some common online options include AARP SmartDriver, AAA RoadWise Driver, the American Safety Institute, and Safe2Drive. Some providers also offer in-person courses. Although subject matter and presentation may vary, you can expect to brush up your knowledge about:

• How growing older can affect your driving skills, including the effect medication can have
• Mastering high-tech features like collision-avoidance systems, in-dash navigation, and autonomous driving
• Safely navigating intersections, roundabouts, left turns, and how to share the road with pedestrians and cyclists
• Minimizing driving distractions, such as cell phones
• How to maintain your vehicle properly
• New and existing traffic laws in your city and state

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Benefits of taking a senior driving course

Saving money on your car insurance premium isn’t the only benefit that taking a defensive driving course can provide. You can also benefit from:

• Improved safety. Brushing up on your driving skills may reduce the risk of your having an accident, which can harm your car insurance premium. According to Carinsurance.com, the average cost of insurance with one at-fault accident on your record is $2,398, or 53% more than what a driver with a clean record will pay.
• Refreshed knowledge of driving laws. Traffic laws are constantly evolving. For example, in 2024, California authorized the cities of Glendale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose to install speed cameras as part of a five-year pilot program. A senior driving course can provide information about new laws like this and help you avoid expensive citations.
• Increased confidence. Retirees who take a safe driving course may feel more confident behind the wheel. While it’s hard to quantify that into dollar savings, drivers who feel more in control of their vehicle may have fewer accidents and tickets.

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