5 Auto Insurance Tips for Senior Drivers

It is a common misconception that older drivers are penalized for their age when it comes to automobile insurance. While it is true that some senior drivers end up paying higher rates for a variety of reasons, just like any other driver, those that maintain a safe record are not discriminated against solely for their age. That said, we are all aware of the fact that some of our abilities begin to deteriorate with age; vision, hearing, and reflexes amongst them, along with reaction time. And this can lead to mishaps like blowing through stop signs or getting into fender benders, resulting in higher insurance rates. But there are things you can do to avoid these issues and keep your insurance rates in check. Here are some tips to help you in the process.

1. Stick with one insurer. It may be tempting to hop around from one insurance company to another if they seem to be offering better rates, but you need to consider carefully before leaving an insurer you’ve been with for years. Although you may pay less initially, you might not get the same coverage for your money. And an insurer that you have a long-term relationship with may stick by you following infractions, whereas someone new might just drop you.
2. See your doctors regularly. Deterioration is a natural part of aging, but rather than avoiding the realities, you’ll be best served by staying on top of your physical condition. Getting regular eye exams, hearing tests, and physicals can help to ensure that you have the knowledge and treatment you need to drive as safely as possible.
3. Drive carefully. There’s no better way to keep your coverage and low rates than to preserve your safe driving record. This will require you to drive attentively at all time, follow the rules of the road, and leave yourself plenty of room to react to what’s in front of you.
4. Alternative transportation. You might start to notice that driving at night or in poor weather conditions is more difficult than it used to be. Rather than risk your own safety or the safety of others by driving in potentially unsafe conditions, consider that there may be some circumstances in which you’re better off letting someone else drive, whether that means calling a family member or a cab. You might not like the idea of giving up any measure of the freedom that comes with driving yourself, but aside from keeping your insurance rates low, you need to practice safety first.
5. Take advantage of discounts. You may not have youth on your side, but you do have a wealth of experience and probably other insurance policies, both of which can help you when it comes to getting discounts on your auto insurance. All you have to do is call you Allstate or State Farm insurance agent to find out what types of discounts you are eligible for. A clean driving record will go a long way towards keeping your rates low, but you might be able to do even better by adding in discounts for multiple policies or extras like additional safety measures on your vehicles (LoJack, for example). There might be all kinds of ways you can save if you just ask.