low auto insurance

Did you know that many drivers over 55 years of age can now qualify for a mandatory reduction in auto insurance rates for three years? For example, a Florida Statute 627.0652 requires insurance companies to provide a discount for drivers 55 years of age or older who have successfully completed an accident prevention course. The discount is for the liability (bodily injury and property damage), personal injury protection, and collision portions of a policy… typically around 70%-85% of your current premium charges.

There are many defensive driving courses now available to mature drivers that could help reduce the amount you pay for your insurance. These classes are available in most states and cost between $10 and $30 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 up to 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 mature 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.

• If you are opening a new account or switching providers, the discount should be automatically provided in the quoted rate. Most companies will ask for your age when applying for a quote in person or online, but it never hurts to remind the agent that you may be eligible for a mature driver discount.

• If you currently have insurance, your auto insurance agent should be reviewing your policy on a regular basis to see if there are any discounts or other benefits that may be available to you. It is doubtful that your insurance carrier will post this information on its web site, so if you have not reviewed your policy in some time, inquire with your current provider to see if they offer any mature driver discounts.

• The majority of auto insurance agencies provide a 5% – 10% discount to drivers beginning at the ages of 50 or 55. Although it may not be automatic, most insurance companies provide a mature drivers discount. Drivers entering their fifties should see some decrease in their auto insurance rates. Allie Cuno wrote this article