Editors’ take: Grange auto insurance is highly rated in terms of customer satisfaction and offers a usage-based insurance product that can save you up to 35% on car insurance upon renewal based on your driving behavior. It also has unique insurance coverage options, like mobile phone coverage, identity theft protection and pet injury coverage. But it’s only available in a handful of states, and you’ll need to get a quote through an independent agent.

Grange car insurance at a glance

Pros

• High customer satisfaction ratings
• Unique insurance coverages, such as identity theft car insurance, pet injury protection and mobile device coverage
• Usage-based insurance product that allows you to qualify for discounts based on driving behavior tracked by an app

Cons

• Not available in every state

What you need to know about Grange car insurance

Grange was founded in the 1930s by John Haaf, a member of the agriculture-based organization Ohio State Grange. He used his company to provide low-cost auto insurance for group members.

Today, Grange sells its insurance entirely through local independent insurance agents. These agents work with multiple insurance carriers to help you find coverage that works for you.

Usage-based insurance

Grange offers a usage-based insurance program, OnTrack, that can help save you money on your policy. New policyholders can earn a 10% discount for enrolling in OnTrack. Once your insurance is renewed, you may be eligible for an additional discount of up to 25% if the app shows you have safe driving behavior. The program uses a smartphone app to monitor your driving.

Loan/lease gap coverage

If you have a loan or lease, the amount you owe to the lender may exceed the value of your vehicle. That means if your car is totaled in an accident, you may be responsible for paying what your insurance policy doesn’t cover.

Gap insurance shields you by taking care of the difference between what your policy covers and what you owe to the lender. Grange offers gap insurance to its policyholders.

Unique insurance coverages

In addition to standard car insurance products, Grange offers a few less-common coverages, including identity theft car insurance. This product can reimburse you for lost wages and legal fees if your identity is compromised, and it puts you in touch with a fraud specialist who can advocate on your behalf to help you recover your assets.

Grange also offers pet injury protection, which provides coverage if your pet is injured in a car accident while riding with you. Grange also offers mobile device protection that provides coverage if your mobile device is damaged in a car accident.

Auto coverage offered by Grange

In addition to identity theft, pet and mobile coverages, Grange offers the standard insurance products you might expect from a provider, including liability, comprehensive, collision, medical payments, personal injury and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Full glass coverage is also available, which waives your deductible if you have a crack in your windshield. Here are a few other insurance options from Grange.

• Roadside assistance coverage
• Rental reimbursement coverage
• New car replacement insurance that replaces your total loss with a new vehicle if your car is two years old or newer
• Personal umbrella car insurance

Auto insurance discounts offered by Grange

Grange offers policyholders a wide range of discounts.

• Accident forgiveness — Prevents your rates from rising after your first at-fault accident
• Multi-policy discount — Can save you up to 7% on car insurance
• Good student discount — Offers a price break based on educational information provided about a student covered by your car insurance policy
• New beginnings discount — Offered if you get divorced
• Safety technology discount — Offered if your vehicle has automatic emergency braking or blind spot monitoring
• Away at school car insurance discount — Discount if you have a child on your policy who is away at school
• Legacy loyalty car insurance discount — Offered to new policyholders who leave their parents’ Grange coverage to get coverage of their own

In addition to the above discounts, Grange offers OnTrack, a safe driving discount program that tracks your driving behavior via a smartphone app. New policyholders can earn a 10% discount for enrolling in OnTrack. Once your policy is renewed, you may be eligible for a discount of up to 25% if the app shows you have safe driving habits.

FAQs about Grange

Not sure if Grange car insurance is right for you? Consider these alternatives.

• State Farm: This company has products for those seeking classic car coverage and a wide range of discount options.
• Root: If you’re interested in paying a premium largely dictated by your driving behavior, Root may be a good insurer.

Editors’ take: Electric auto insurance is available nationwide and offers a healthy number of discounts. If you’re interested in a usage-based insurance program but live in a state where Electric’s Great Driver program isn’t available, you may want to look elsewhere.

Electric auto insurance at a glance

Pros

• Nationwide availability
• Usage-based insurance option could allow you to save based on how you drive
• Diverse products and services — from accident forgiveness to classic car insurance
• Numerous discounts

Cons

• Usage-based coverage isn’t available in most states
• No J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating

What you need to know about Electric auto insurance

Electric Insurance Company is a subsidiary of G.E. Capital U.S. Holdings, Inc. This insurer is a licensed property and casualty insurer in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Based in Beverly, Mass., Electric provides auto, home and umbrella coverage for individuals and families. Its insurance options also include flood coverage and protection for specialty vehicles, watercraft and events.

Diverse, customizable insurance products

This insurer offers a wide range of car insurance products — including classic car insurance, which Electric provides in partnership with Hagerty. In addition to car insurance, Electric sells home coverage and umbrella insurance.

Electric offers three auto insurance packages that allow you to customize your coverage. Auto Plus is the most basic package. Premier Choice adds features like accident forgiveness and trip interruption expense coverage.

Signature Choice is for owners of heavily customized or high-value vehicles. It includes everything in the Premier Choice package and adds features like loan/lease gap coverage and a deductible waiver of up to $2,500.

Usage-based insurance option

Depending on where you live, Electric offers usage-based insurance that bases the cost of your policy on your driving behavior. The company’s Great Driver smartphone app scores you based on how you drive, considering factors like rapid acceleration and speeding.

But Great Driver is only available in some states, so if you want to get usage-based insurance, it’s best to check if it’s available in your state before committing to Electric.

Auto coverage offered by Electric

In addition to standard auto insurance coverages such as liability, collision, comprehensive and personal injury protection, Electric also offers optional unique coverages and services. Here are a few.

• New vehicle replacement cost coverage
• Authorization of OEM parts for repairs
• Fast-tracked claim payment if your car is totaled or stolen
• Accident forgiveness coverage
• Trip interruption expense coverage
• Loan/lease gap coverage

Auto insurance discounts offered by Electric

Electric offers several discounts. Here are some of them.

• Safe driver discount
• Discounts for qualified members of sponsored affinity groups
• Antilock brake discount
• Discount for vehicles with active or passive alarms
• Discount for completing a driver education course
• Electric and hybrid vehicle discount
• Good student discount for full-time students up to age 24
• Discount for low-mileage drivers (qualifying mileage varies by state)
• Multi-policy discount

FAQs about Electric auto insurance

Not sure if Electric auto insurance is right for you? Consider these alternatives.

• Allstate — Auto insurance from Allstate could be good if you want access to a pay-per-mile program.
• Liberty Mutual — Where available, Liberty Mutual offers a discount of up to 40% for safe driving behavior through its usage-based insurance offering, RightTrack.

Having the right insurance coverage as a rideshare driver is crucial.

Personal insurance may not cover you when you’re providing ridesharing services. And while you get some coverage from the rideshare company you work for, it doesn’t protect you during every period you’re operating a vehicle for hire.

That’s where rideshare insurance comes in. It fills the gap between your personal policy and the one provided by your employer. Let’s explore what this coverage is and how it benefits you as a rideshare driver.

• What is rideshare insurance?
• What does rideshare insurance cover?
• Why rideshare drivers need rideshare insurance
• Is rideshare insurance included in car insurance policies?
• Auto insurers that offer rideshare insurance as a standalone policy
• FAQs about rideshare insurance

What is rideshare insurance?

Commercial ridesharing companies are a relatively new option for public transportation, and their popularity has grown in recent years. These companies use smartphone apps to match drivers with people seeking a ride.

The three most popular companies in this space are Uber, Lyft, and Via. The drivers who work for these companies use their personal vehicles to transport passengers for a fee.

Ridesharing companies provide some insurance coverage to drivers, but these policies don’t deliver complete protection. If you work for a rideshare company, consider getting ridesharing insurance to help fill the gap between your personal insurance and the coverage provided by your employer.

What does rideshare insurance cover?

Three periods need to be covered when you’re on the job as a rideshare driver.

• Period 1: The first period is when you have your app on and are waiting for a ride request.
• Period 2: This is when you’ve accepted the request but haven’t picked up the passenger yet.
• Period 3: The third period is when a passenger is in the vehicle.

Typically, your personal insurance doesn’t provide coverage during any of these three periods.

The insurance provided by your employer (the rideshare company) may cover the second and third periods — when you’ve accepted a ride request and have a passenger in the vehicle. But typically, it doesn’t provide coverage for the first period when you have your app on and are hoping to get a ride request.

In many cases, rideshare insurance — that’s additional to your personal and company-provided coverage — covers drivers during that first period when waiting to get a request from a future passenger. By doing so, this coverage provides protection you may not be able to get from other types of insurance products.

Why rideshare drivers need rideshare insurance

Rideshare insurance protects you while you’re waiting to get a ride request. If you have a mishap during this window, you can rest easy knowing you have coverage to ease your financial burden.

Without this coverage, you may have a gap in your insurance protection. That gap could leave you vulnerable if there’s an accident or injury while waiting for your next passenger’s ride request.

Is rideshare insurance included in car insurance policies?

Typically, a standard personal car insurance policy doesn’t cover driving for a rideshare company.

Standard personal car insurance stops providing coverage when a driver logs into a ridesharing app to indicate they’re available for service. And the protection provided by a personal car insurance policy doesn’t resume until the rider has left the vehicle and the ridesharing transaction has ended.

Some insurance companies allow you to include rideshare insurance as an add-on or endorsement to an existing personal insurance policy. You can also purchase a full ridesharing insurance policy. This coverage includes personal and ridesharing coverage in a single, standalone product.

Auto insurers that offer rideshare insurance as a standalone policy

The following companies offer rideshare insurance in a standalone policy. Each policy includes personal and ridesharing coverage.

Esurance

Esurance calls its rideshare insurance product ShareSmart. This product covers gaps at all stages of the ridesharing process, ensuring that you’re protected from start to finish.

ShareSmart is available to all drivers in specific states who qualify for an Esurance policy. And, if you’re already an Esurance customer, you have the option to add the endorsement when your policy renews.

But this product is only available in California, Illinois and New Jersey.

Mercury Insurance

Mercury offers rideshare insurance that helps reduce your risk if an accident happens during the time between fares. If you have an accident and are at fault, Mercury’s coverage will pay to fix the damage to the other car and cover expenses related to any injuries. This insurance product will also pay for fixing your vehicle at one of Mercury’s authorized repair facilities. (Both of these coverages are subject to policy limits and eligibility.)

Mercury’s rideshare insurance covers the driver and the car’s passengers. You can get this coverage by purchasing a policy that includes personal and rideshare insurance. Mercury doesn’t offer rideshare coverage in every state, so you’ll need to check with the insurer to see if it’s available where you live.

Farmers Insurance

Farmers offers rideshare insurance that protects you while you’re waiting to be matched with your next customer. This coverage pays for expenses if you suffer an injury or damage your car.

You can get this coverage by purchasing a policy that includes personal and rideshare protection. And if you already have a personal auto policy from Farmers, you can add rideshare coverage by calling your agent.

FAQs about rideshare insurance

Next steps

If you’re considering getting rideshare insurance, research the insurers we’ve listed to see which ones provide coverage in your state. Then, get a quote for rideshare coverage.

Wondering how to switch your car insurance?

Buying a policy with a car insurance company isn’t a lifetime commitment. Your situation may change in ways that make other insurers more suitable than your current provider. Fortunately, you can switch car insurance companies anytime. Taking this step could save you money.

• Reasons to switch car insurance companies
• How to switch car insurance companies
• FAQs about switching auto insurance companies

Reasons to switch car insurance companies

• Different driving habits — Maybe you’re driving less because you’re working from home and no longer have a commute. In that case, you may want to consider replacing your current policy with usage-based coverage.
• Lifestyle changes — Another reason you may want to switch auto insurance companies is a change in lifestyle that affects your insurance profile. This type of change may be something like getting married or purchasing a new car or home.
• Change in driving history — Your driving history significantly affects your car insurance rates, and a change may warrant the need to seek other coverage options. For example, an event like being ticketed or getting into an accident could cause a rate increase or necessitate a switch to a nonstandard insurance provider.
• Need to add or remove drivers from your policy — Switching car insurance may also be worth considering if you add or remove drivers from your policy. For example, adding a teen driver to your coverage may significantly affect your rate. In that situation, it might be wise to compare quotes to ensure you’re getting the best deal on your coverage.
• Unhappy with your current provider — A poor experience with your current provider may cause you to consider switching. Maybe you had a frustrating claims or customer service experience.
• Need coverage not offered by your current insurer — Maybe you want to change providers because you’re looking to add specialty coverage that your current insurer doesn’t provide. For example, not all insurance companies cover classic cars. If you want classic car insurance, you’ll have to look elsewhere if your current insurer doesn’t provide it.
• Seeking the best rates — Maybe your situation hasn’t changed, but you want to make sure you’re getting the best rates possible. It’s a good idea to periodically compare prices from different insurance providers to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

How to switch car insurance companies

Switching car insurance companies may help you get lower rates and better coverage.

When making a switch, avoid a lapse in coverage. Remember, liability insurance is a legal requirement in most states. You could lose your license if you’re caught driving without insurance. Here are some things to consider when switching auto insurers.

Determine how much auto insurance coverage you need

When switching car insurance providers, ensure your new coverage provides all the protection you need.

The first thing to consider is the minimum coverage requirements in your state. Most states require drivers to have a minimum amount of liability coverage and some states require drivers to get other types of coverage, such as personal injury protection and/or uninsured motorist coverage. Your new coverage should meet or exceed state minimums.

If you’re financing or leasing your car, choose coverage that meets the requirements of your loan or lease provider. For example, some lenders may require you to get gap insurance for financed vehicles.

Also, some drivers are legally required to get SR-22 insurance. For example, drivers with a DUI or several at-fault accidents may have to make an SR-22 filing. Not all insurance companies provide coverage for drivers in this situation, so if you’re required to file this form, make sure to choose an insurance company that offers SR-22 filings.

Consider optional add-ons, discounts and bundling opportunities

Once those basics are handled, you’ll be ready to consider optional add-ons. This list can include options like uninsured/underinsured motorist, roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, comprehensive and collision coverages.

Before checking out, research car insurance discounts and bundling opportunities. For example, you may be able to get a discount for insuring more than one car with the same company or for getting your home and car insurance from the same provider.

Compare auto insurance rates every six months

It’s an excellent idea to price shop once or twice yearly to ensure you get the best rate. That may seem excessive, but remember that a lot can happen in this period that could change your profile as a policyholder.

Get car insurance quotes from multiple companies. You can centralize your search by using an online comparison tool. Remember to factor in available discounts when comparing providers. Now that you’ve picked your next insurer, you’re ready to think about canceling your current policy. If you’re canceling before the end of your policy term, check to see if you’ll face a cancellation fee. And if you have unused coverage that you’ve already paid for, check to see if you’re eligible for a refund.

Purchase a new auto insurance policy and cancel your current insurance

When switching insurers, purchasing new coverage before canceling your old policy is vital. And make sure there’s no coverage gap between your old and new policies. For example, if your old coverage ends on July 1, make sure your new policy takes effect on that date or sooner.

In some states, you could be penalized for driving without insurance, even if it’s a temporary lapse in coverage. A lapse could also leave you financially liable if you have an accident while in between insurance policies.

Print or download your new insurance ID cards

Once you’ve purchased your new coverage, print or download your new insurance ID card.

Most states allow digital cards that you can display on your mobile device. If you want a digital card, you may need to download it from your insurer’s website. Alternatively, some insurers may display your digital card within their mobile app. More interested in using a physical card? If so, print it from the insurer’s site. Then, keep the card in your wallet, purse or glove box for easy access if you have an accident or get pulled over.

FAQs about switching auto insurance companies

Roadside assistance coverage is like a trusted friend who’s always there to help you out of a jam.

If your car breaks down or you run out of gas, roadside assistance can make it less of a hassle — and it’s typically available around the clock. Many insurers, carmakers and auto clubs offer roadside assistance, so understanding the costs and services you’ll get in return is key to making a good choice.

• What does roadside assistance cover?
• What happens if I break down and I don’t have roadside assistance?
• How you can get roadside assistance coverage?
• Auto insurers that offer roadside assistance
• Car manufacturers that offer roadside assistance
• Auto clubs that offer roadside assistance
• FAQs about roadside assistance coverage

What does roadside assistance cover?

Roadside assistance plans typically offer a broad range of coverage for things like …

• Battery jump-starts or flat tire changes
• Towing to the nearest repair facility if your vehicle disabled
• Locksmith services if you lock yourself out of your car or lose your keys
• Fuel if you run out of gas

Coverage may vary from one plan to the next, so you’ll want to check details carefully before buying.

What happens if I break down and I don’t have roadside assistance?

Towing a car after a breakdown can be pricey. A breakdown without roadside assistance can also be a big inconvenience.

You may need help finding a service provider and getting the aid you need. Having roadside assistance coverage simplifies things — you’ll know exactly who to call if you’re stuck.

How you can get roadside assistance coverage

Many auto insurers can provide this as part of a policy or standalone serve, but you can also get roadside coverage from auto clubs and some carmakers.

Auto insurers that offer roadside assistance

Here are some auto insurers to consider for roadside assistance coverage. 

Allstate

Allstate offers various roadside plans through three programs.

• Membership — Membership plans start for as little as $89 for the first year. Allstate offers this as a standalone plan. You don’t need to be an Allstate customer to purchase this coverage.
• Pay-per-use — Allstate also offers pay-per-use coverage. With this plan, you’re only charged if you need service, and the fee varies based on the service provided. The cost for a tow starts at $154. Again, Allstate sells this coverage as a standalone product, so you don’t have to purchase any other insurance products to qualify.
• Insurance add-on coverage — This coverage is for those who already get car insurance from Allstate. It allows you to add roadside assistance to your current Allstate policy for as little as $25 per vehicle.

Allstate’s 24-hour coverage includes tow service, jump starts, fuel delivery, lockout service and tire changes.

Nationwide

Nationwide offers roadside assistance as an add-on to one of the company’s car insurance policies. The company sells the following two plans:

• Basic — This plan covers towing up to 15 miles, battery jump starts up to $100, lockout service and flat tire replacement with your spare. It also covers ditch extraction and fuel delivery although some restrictions apply.
• Plus — This plan builds on the Basic plan, adding towing for up to 100 miles. It also includes trip interruption coverage that reimburses you up to $500 for lodging, transportation and meal expenses if you get stranded 100 miles or more from home.

Progressive

Progressive offers roadside assistance as additional coverage you can include with your policy.

Services include vehicle towing (within 15 miles or to the nearest station), jump starts, fuel delivery, vehicle lockouts and flat tire changes. The company also offers winching service, which can assist if you’re stuck in mud, water, snow or sand within 100 feet of a road or highway.

Progressive works with a service provider called Agero to provide roadside assistance.

Car manufacturers that offer roadside assistance

These car manufacturers offer complimentary roadside assistance when you make a vehicle purchase.

Honda

Honda offers free roadside assistance on new vehicle purchases. The program extends through the automaker’s 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. Honda’s program began in the 2015 model year, and it covers winching, jump starts, fuel delivery, lockout and flat tires. It also covers towing caused by a mechanical breakdown or an accident.

Toyota

Every new Toyota vehicle purchased comes with free roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. The plan covers battery jump starts, lockouts, fuel delivery, tire service, towing and winching.

Ford

Ford offers roadside assistance that is complimentary for some purchasers and available to all purchasers for a fee. The coverage extends for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. It includes fuel assistance, lockouts, towing, and tire and battery assistance.  

Auto clubs that offer roadside assistance

Roadside assistance is one benefit of some auto club memberships. The clubs listed below offer this service.

AAA

AAA was founded over 100 years ago, and membership includes roadside assistance. Towing, winching, jump starts, battery replacement, tire assistance, fuel delivery, lockouts, battery testing and minor auto repairs are part of the package. AAA membership plans start at $59.99 annually, and different membership levels are available. AAA auto insurance plans are also available.

Better World

Better World is unique in that it offers roadside assistance for cars and bicycles. Its car plans cover towing, battery jump-starts, tire changes, lockouts, fuel delivery, winching and trip interruption. A basic auto plan with a towing range of five miles costs $61.95, and an upgraded plan with a towing range of 100 miles costs $99.95. Hybrid and electric cars may be eligible for discounts.

Good Sam

Good Sam offers roadside assistance for cars and RVs. Coverage includes tire service, battery jump-starts and recharging. Trip interruption assistance, lockouts, emergency medical assistance and emergency fuel delivery are also part of the plan. Different membership levels are offered, with plans starting at $49.95.

FAQs about roadside assistance coverage

Next steps

Figure out which roadside assistance services are most valuable to you. Then, use your selections to evaluate and choose providers, and price-shop to get the best deal.

Pay-per-mile car insurance is a specialized coverage option that could save you money on auto insurance if you’re a low-mileage driver.

Pay-per-mile car insurance is different from traditional auto coverage: With pay-per-mile insurance, your insurer tracks the miles you drive and bases your rate on your monthly or daily mileage. If you don’t drive much — say, you’re retired or work from home — pay-per-mile coverage could be a good fit for you.

• What is pay-per-mile car insurance?
• How does pay-per-mile car insurance work?
• Pros of pay-per-mile auto insurance
• Cons of pay-per-mile auto insurance
• Can you save money with pay-per-mile car insurance?
• Which companies offer pay-per-mile car insurance?

What is pay-per-mile car insurance?

Pay-per-mile car insurance is a coverage option that uses your mileage to calculate your premium. It uses a formula that taps your daily or monthly mileage to determine your insurance rate. Because the number of miles you drive directly affects your premium, fewer miles mean a lower rate, making this type of coverage best for drivers who spend less time behind the wheel.

Some companies that offer pay-per-mile car insurance use telematics to track your mileage. Others take a more straightforward approach, requiring you to send a photo of your odometer each month.

How does pay-per-mile car insurance work?

Pay-per-mile coverage uses a formula with two components — a flat base rate and a daily or monthly mileage rate. The amount you pay for these two rates is determined using the same variables as traditional car insurance — driving history, location, vehicle type, age, gender and more. Pay-per-mile car insurance also allows you to access the same types of coverage as a traditional auto policy.

The big difference between pay-per-mile and traditional car insurance concerns the importance of mileage in calculating your rate.

With traditional coverage, insurers usually ask you to estimate your mileage, and they consider this figure in their overall rates. But mileage isn’t a central factor in the rate calculation.

Pay-per-mile coverage makes mileage a crucial part of rate calculation, and it does so transparently. Once you know your base and per-mile rates, you can estimate how much you’ll pay each month based on the miles you’ve driven.

Usage-based insurance differs from pay-per-mile coverage in a couple of ways.

With usage-based insurance, insurers monitor your driving behavior and use that data to determine your rate. Pay-per-mile coverage is a type of usage-based insurance, but not all usage-based coverages are pay-per-mile.

There are two main types of usage-based insurance.

• Driving-based — With this coverage, your insurer tracks and evaluates your driving habits, including how you brake and accelerate and what time of day you typically drive.
• Mileage-based — Mileage-based coverage looks solely at the number of miles you drive each month. Pay-per-mile insurance is a type of mileage-based coverage.

Pros of pay-per-mile auto insurance

Here are some possible benefits of selecting pay-per-mile car insurance.

• It may reduce your insurance bill: If you’re a low-mileage driver with traditional insurance, you may be able to reduce your premium with pay-per-mile coverage.
• It allows you to shape your monthly car insurance payment: Because it’s mileage-based, pay-per-mile coverage puts you in the driver’s seat regarding your monthly premium. If things are tight during a particular month, you may be able to reduce your payment by limiting your driving.
• It may provide app-related advantages: Some pay-per-mile insurers provide telematics apps that do more than track your mileage. For example, Metromile’s app issues street-sweeping alerts that can help you avoid tickets and provides tracking that can help you find your lost or stolen car.

Cons of pay-per-mile auto insurance

Pay-per-mile coverage has some potential downsides to consider.

• It may not be available in all states: Some pay-per-mile providers limit coverage to certain states so this type of policy may not be available in your neck of the woods.
• It may not be available for certain cars: Some pay-per-mile companies use a device to track mileage. This device may not be compatible with all vehicles. For example, Nationwide notes that its telematics device isn’t compatible with some hybrids, certain diesel-powered cars and vehicles made before 1996.

Can you save money with pay-per-mile car insurance?

It may be possible to save money with pay-per-mile car insurance if you’re a low-mileage driver. MileAuto estimates it can save low-mileage drivers 30% to 40% off the rates paid for traditional auto insurance.

Because many of the same variables used in traditional auto insurance apply to a pay-per-mile policy, rates will vary from one policyholder to the next.

For a monthly calculation, the basic formula used in pay-per-mile coverage looks like this:

Monthly base rate + (per-mile rate x number of miles driven)

Suppose you currently pay $150 for traditional car insurance each month and drive 600 miles monthly. If you choose a pay-per-mile policy with a base rate of $40 and a per-mile rate of 10 cents, you’d have a monthly payment of $100 ($40 base rate plus $60 for per-mile expenses). That means pay-per-mile coverage could save you $50 per month in insurance costs.

If you’re thinking about pay-per-mile coverage, get quotes for the base and per-mile rates. Then you can estimate your monthly mileage and use the pay-per-mile coverage formula to determine if you’ll save money compared to your current car insurance policy.

Which companies offer pay-per-mile car insurance?

Though insurance companies consider mileage when calculating your rate, many providers don’t offer pay-per-mile coverage. This coverage caters to low-mileage drivers, so it’s a specialized type of policy.

Here are three companies offering pay-per-mile car insurance.

Take note: If you’re interested in this type of coverage, you might need to check whether it’s available in your state.

Metromile

Metromile is a pay-per-mile insurer offering these coverages:

• Comprehensive
• Liability
• Collision
• Underinsured and uninsured motorist
• Personal injury protection
• Medical payments
• Roadside assistance

Mile Auto

Unlike some pay-per-mile providers, Mile Auto doesn’t use an app or telematic device to track mileage. Instead, drivers self-report their mileage by submitting a photo of their odometer each month. This company’s coverage list includes …

• Collision
• Comprehensive
• Liability
• Rental car reimbursement
• Roadside assistance

Nationwide

Nationwide has an insurance program called SmartMiles that provides pay-per-mile coverage. This program offers the same coverage options as a traditional Nationwide auto insurance policy. The list of coverage options includes …

• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Liability
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist
• Personal injury protection
• Medical payments
• Rental car expense
• Gap insurance
• Towing and labor

What’s next?

If you’re interested in getting pay-per-mile insurance, track your mileage for a month to ensure you have an accurate monthly mileage estimate. This step is vital since this coverage offers the most benefit to low-mileage drivers. Then get quotes from pay-per-mile providers and use your mileage to determine if this coverage could save you money.

Getting quick car insurance coverage can be simple and straightforward — it’s even possible to go from quote to coverage in minutes. To streamline things, make sure you have all the information needed for a car insurance quote on hand before you start shopping around.

• What do you need to get car insurance?
• How much car insurance do you need?
• How do I start my car insurance policy?
• How long does it take for car insurance to start?
• FAQs about how long it takes to get car insurance

What do you need to get car insurance?

To help with a quick, hassle-free car insurance search, have the following personal information for each driver on your policy:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Driver’s license number
• Vehicle identification numbers for all vehicles being covered
• Address
• Driving history (past tickets and accidents)
• Make and model of vehicle being insured
• Estimated annual mileage

The insurance company may also ask if the car you’re insuring is used for work or pleasure. Once you’ve put this information together, it’s time to consider how much auto insurance you need.

How much car insurance do you need?

Most states have minimum requirements for car insurance coverage. Getting protection that meets or exceeds these minimums is vital when buying auto insurance. Find out the minimum requirements in your to as a starting point for your coverage choices.

There are many different types of coverage available. Liability insurance is mandatory in most states, but several other options exist.

Common types of car insurance

The cost of your overall coverage depends on factors like your driving habits, age, driving record, and where you live. Your rate also depends on how much coverage you buy and the amount of your deductible — fewer coverage options and increasing your deductible could lower your monthly premium.

Consider bundling and discount opportunities

Some insurance companies offer car insurance discounts for certain types of drivers, like drivers who’ve been accident-free for a specific period or those who’ve taken defensive driving courses.

And some carriers provide discounted rates for policyholders who bundle their coverage, meaning you purchase different policies (like auto and home coverage) from the same insurance company.

Consider usage-based insurance models

With usage-based insurance, the cost of your policy is directly affected by your driving habits. In some cases, insurers track things like hard braking, speed and the location where you’re driving. Then, they use this data to determine your premium.

In other cases, insurance companies monitor your mileage. They typically do this using a telematics device. There’s usually a flat base rate and a per-mile rate, so generally the more miles you drive, the higher your premium.

How do I start my car insurance policy?

A quick way to start your new policy is with a quote online or with an agent over the phone.

When you choose which date your policy starts, make sure there’s no lapse in coverage between your old and new policies so that you avoid being financially vulnerable during a coverage gap. A lapse in coverage could also cause you to face higher rates.

And make sure to cancel your old policy so that you’re not on the hook for payments on two different policies.

How long does it take for car insurance to start?

Once you’ve paid for your new policy, you should be automatically covered from the official start date. You’ll likely be able to download your card to your mobile device with insurers that offer it in states that allow digital insurance cards. Or you can print out your policy documents.

FAQs about how long it takes to get car insurance

Teachers play a valuable role in shaping young minds, and if you work in this field, it could impact your options regarding car insurance. Some auto insurance companies offer products that are ideal for educators or provide money-saving discounts for teaching professionals. The companies listed below offer the best car insurance for teachers seeking coverage geared toward their line of work.

• Best overall: Liberty Mutual
• Best for teachers seeking coverage with specialized benefits: Horace Mann
• Best for teachers whose cars have custom equipment: California Casualty

Best overall: Liberty Mutual

Why Liberty Mutual stands out above the rest: Liberty Mutual offers insurance products customized to fit a teacher’s needs. This company also provides a wide range of discounts to save money. Overall, it’s a well-rounded, cost-efficient choice for educators.

Teachers will appreciate that Liberty Mutual provides zero-deductible protection for vehicles vandalized on school property or at a school event. Liberty Mutual’s personal property insurance also covers your teaching materials and school-owned property if they’re damaged or stolen while in your vehicle.

And if your vehicle is damaged in a collision while you’re driving it on school business, this insurance company provides zero-deductible collision coverage.

Teachers might also take advantage of Liberty Mutual’s multipolicy discounts (you can also get home, condo and renters insurance from the company), plus other potential discounts for homeowners, drivers with a claims-free driving history, drivers with no violations, and drivers with a military affiliation.

Read our full review of Liberty Mutual.

Best for teachers seeking coverage with specialized benefits: Horace Mann

Why Horace Mann could be a good choice for teachers seeking coverage with specialized benefits: Educators with a Horace Mann auto policy are eligible for a wide range of specialized benefits designed for teachers. These perks come at no additional cost.

Teachers with Horace Mann auto insurance get the company’s Educator Advantage package of features and benefits at no extra cost. This package includes coverage that pays for a replacement car if your vehicle is declared a total loss. It also covers transportation expenses up to $35 if you’re away from home and can’t safely drive.

The Educator Advantage package includes zero-deductible coverage for covered vandalism losses and collision claims on or near school property or at a school event. It also provides up to $1,000 of personal property coverage if job-related items are stolen or damaged while in your car.

Horace Mann’s coverage also provides benefits for teachers with pets, at no additional cost. It pays up to $1,000 of your veterinary bills if a covered accident injures your pet. NAIC reports that Horace Mann had fewer customer complaints than the industry average in 2021.

Best for teachers whose cars have custom equipment: California Casualty

Why California Casualty could be a good choice for teachers whose cars have custom equipment: Some auto insurance companies don’t cover custom equipment (such as custom wheels or an aftermarket stereo) in their standard car insurance policies. California Casualty is different. That company’s standard auto insurance policy for teachers includes custom equipment coverage. This coverage pays for custom equipment replacement costs of up to $2,000.

This company also offers other benefits for teachers. For example, it provides zero-deductible protection if your vehicle is hit or vandalized on school property. Other perks include identity theft resolution with a personal fraud specialist and zero-deductible windshield repairs.

The NAIC reports that California Casualty had fewer customer complaints than the industry average in 2021. Despite the company’s name, California Casualty sells car insurance in most states.

FAQs about car insurance for teachers

How we picked these insurers

We looked at insurers offering coverage designed for teachers to pick our candidates. We considered the selection of specialized insurance products provided by each company. In addition, we factored in benefits, discounts, NAIC customer complaint information and J.D. Power auto claims satisfaction data.

If you want to protect your investment in your classic car, a specific type of insurance fits the bill. It’s classic car insurance, and it offers specialized coverage for your vintage ride. Here are our picks for the best classic car insurance companies.

• Best overall: American Collectors
• Best for classic car collections: Grundy
• Best for drivers who use classic cars for everyday driving: Safeco
• Best for drivers who may need help finding replacement parts: Hagerty
• Best for race cars: Heacock Classic
• FAQs about classic car insurance
• How we picked these insurers

Best overall: American Collectors

Why American Collectors stands out above the rest: American Collectors offers discounts and access to specialists in collector insurance. This insurer also has products for several types of classic vehicles, with add-ons to customize your policy.  American Collectors provides the “agreed-value” coverage that’s standard from classic car insurers — that means if your insured vehicle is a total loss, you’ll get the full agreed value of the vehicle with no deductions for depreciation. 

Car insurance discounts from American Collectors include those for vehicles with safety features like anti-lock brakes and anti-theft equipment. High-value discounts automatically kick in for cars valued at more than $150,000. You can also get a discounted rate for completing an accident prevention course or being a car club member.

This insurer offers coverage for many types of classic vehicles:

• Collector cars
• Trucks and SUVs
• Custom cars and hot rods
• Exotic and collector imports
• Classic motorcycles

You can select from various policy benefits to customize your coverage. Safety glass coverage, travel loss coverage, personal effects coverage, automotive tools and spare parts coverage and pet coverage are some of the options.

Read our full review of American Collectors auto insurance.

Best for classic car collections: Grundy

Why Grundy could be a good choice for classic car collections: Grundy provides coverage specifically designed to protect car collections. According to ARTnews, Grundy insures the majority of the top 200 private automobile collections in the United States.

Grundy’s Special Collections department protects larger car collections valued at $500,000 to over $5,000,000. Grundy uses the same approach to insure car collections and individual collector cars: It covers them at their agreed value. Using photos you send, the company’s experts work with you to arrive at a mutually agreed-upon value of your vehicle. Once a value is set, Grundy will never reduce it unless you choose to do so.

This provider protects each car in a collection under a 150% coverage cushion. That means if there’s a total loss and the vehicle’s insured value is less than its market value, Grundy will pay up to 150% of the agreed value to offset the loss.

Best for drivers who use classic cars for everyday driving: Safeco

Why Safeco could be a good choice for drivers who use classic cars for everyday driving: Classic car insurance typically has very low mileage limits, offering protection for the limited miles you drive taking your vintage ride to car shows and auto club meet-ups. But Safeco offers regular-use coverage with higher mileage limits, so it’s a good choice if you want to use your classic car for everyday driving.

The company’s regular use policy allows you to drive your classic car for up to 10,000 miles per year. Safeco also offers coverage for a diverse range of classic cars. The list includes modified collector cars, restorations, replicas, antique autos and modern classic cars.

Safeco offers discounts that can help you save money on your coverage. For example, Safeco offers a discount for drivers who have completed an accident prevention course. Safeco also offers multi-car insurance and multi-policy discounts for adding motorcycle, boat, RV or home insurance to your classic car coverage.

Read our full review of Safeco auto insurance.

Best for drivers who may need help finding replacement parts: Hagerty

Why Hagerty could be a good choice for drivers needing help finding replacement parts: Some parts for your classic car may be hard to find. Hagerty provides access to automotive experts who can help you track down the parts you need through its Carcierge Help Desk. This service puts you in contact with car experts who can help you locate hard-to-find parts for your classic ride. These associates also have the expertise to answer questions about your car’s value or help you find a specialty shop.

This company provides agreed-value coverage for many different types of classic cars. The list includes collector cars, trucks and SUVs, 1980 and newer collector vehicles, modified cars, classic cars used for motorsports, classic military vehicles, classic and antique tractors and collector motorcycles and scooters.

Additionally, Hagerty offers roadside protection that includes unlimited emergency usage. The company’s towing includes guaranteed flatbed transportation with soft straps to protect your vintage ride.

Best for classic race cars: Heacock Classic

Why Heacock Classic could be a good choice for classic race cars: Heacock Classic offers coverage specifically designed to protect vintage race cars. The company’s agents are enthusiasts who attend racing events and live the lifestyle, so they have the expertise to provide the insightful care you need.

Like other companies on this list, Heacock offers a fair agreed-upon value for your vehicle. Arriving at this number can be tricky with race cars, but Heacock Classic has agents and underwriters who know enough about market trends to give you a smart and fair valuation.

Heacock Classic offers comprehensive insurance against physical damage from the time your car leaves the garage to when it arrives at the race track. The company protects against fires, theft, transport damage, and trailer accidents. This company provides additional programs that protect race trailers and spare parts.

FAQs about classic car insurance

How we picked these insurers

We looked at insurers offering coverage for classic cars to pick our candidates. We considered the breadth of vehicle coverage offered, the selection of each company’s insurance products, and specific offerings for five different categories. We also factored in customer service benefits and discounts. 

Whether you use it for weekend getaways or extended excursions, your RV can be a home on wheels. Many auto insurers provide a range of RV insurance — so whether you want coverage for a small camper van or a king-size Class A motorhome, you should be able to find a policy that fits the bill.  

In picking the best RV insurance providers, we considered each company’s selection of discounts and products. We also looked at A.M. Best ratings for financial stability and consumer complaints from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Here are some of the best insurance providers for different RV owners.   

• Best overall: Nationwide 
• Best for customized coverage: Progressive 
• Best for part-time RV users: National General 
• Best for customer service: The Hartford
• FAQs about RV insurance

Best overall: Nationwide

Why Nationwide stands out above the rest: Nationwide offers a broad range of insurance products, including optional coverages that allow you to customize your policy.  This insurer also provides a robust selection of car insurance discounts and a free yearly assessment to help you make the most of any money-saving opportunities. 

What to know about Nationwide

Nationwide offers comprehensive, collision and liability coverage plus other coverage for RVs including:

• Vacation liability coverage, which can protect you if there’s an accident on the premises while you’re using your RV as a temporary residence.
• Replacement cost and scheduled personal effects coverage, which normally pays before all other policies to limit your need to file a homeowners insurance claim.
• Medical payments coverage, which can cover medical bills for you and your passengers if your RV is in an accident, regardless of who’s at fault.
• Property damage liability coverage, which can pay for property damage you’ve caused while driving your RV.

Nationwide offers various ways to save, including multi-policy, multi-vehicle and safe-driver discounts. The insurer also features On Your Side, a free yearly insurance assessment to help you identify any discounts you might be eligible for and select the best coverage for your situation. 

Nationwide performed well in a study of customer complaints within the insurance industry. Note that Nationwide isn’t available in all states. 

Read our full review of Nationwide. 

Best for customized coverage: Progressive

Why Progressive could be a good choice for customized RV coverage: With Progressive, you can customize your RV insurance with a range of specialized coverages including pet injury and pest damage, roof protection and vacation liability. Progressive also offers policies for many different types of RVs.  

What to know about Progressive

Other coverage options from Progressive — in addition to basics like comprehensive, collision, bodily injury liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist — that are custom-tailored to RV owners include:

• Total loss replacement, which can pay for a brand-new replacement if you total your RV in an accident.
• Replacement costs/personal effects coverage, which protects personal items within your RV, such as smartphones or camera equipment.
• Full timer’s liability, which provides liability coverage if you use your RV as a permanent residence.
• Emergency expense coverage, which can cover transportation and hotel costs if your RV is disabled while you’re on vacation more than 50 miles from home.

Progressive is available nationwide and offers coverage for a range of RVs, including Class A, B and C motorhomes, cargo and horse trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, utility trailers, pop-up campers and truck campers.

Read our full review of Progressive. 

Best for part-time RV users: National General

Why National General could be a good choice for part-time RV users: Some part-time RV users keep their vehicles parked or stored for part of the year. If that sounds like you, you may wonder if reducing coverage during the months you aren’t driving the vehicle is possible. 

National General offers a policy solution with that benefit. The company’s Storage Savings option pauses liability and collision coverage when the RV is not in use, potentially saving you up to 53% on your premium.  

What to know about National General

If you spend a lot of time in your RV or use it as a primary residence, National General —which is owned by Allstate — may be able to cover all the bases. Coverage options include:

• Personal belongings coverage, which can protect items within the RV, like laptops and linens.
• Full replacement cost coverage, which replaces your RV with a comparable new model if it’s declared a total loss within its first three model years.
• Vacation liability coverage, which can protect you against damage during camping.
• Specialized equipment coverage, which can cover aftermarket additions like solar panels and custom wheels.
• Permanent attachments coverage, which can protect items permanently attached to your RV, such as an awning.

Best for customer service: The Hartford

Why The Hartford could be a good choice for RV insurance: The Hartford has a record of exceptional customer service. The company took the top spot in a recent J.D. Power study evaluating auto claims satisfaction. Note that J.D. Power does not take RV insurance into consideration when creating its rankings. In addition, members of AARP are eligible for special perks and discounts through The Hartford.

What to know about The Hartford

The Hartford is available in most states and offers discounts such as accident forgiveness, disappearing deductible and RecoverCare, which can help you with up to $2,500 to pay for transportation, cooking and cleaning if you’re injured in an accident. Eligibility for certain benefits requires AARP membership, which costs $12 to $16 per year and is available only to those 50 and older.

Customizable RV insurance policies are available, with coverage including: 

• Medical payment, collision, bodily injury and property damage coverages. 
• Help finding trusted repair centers if your RV is damaged in a covered loss for as long as you have your RV.
• Vehicle replacement if you total your RV within the first 15 months or 15,000 miles of ownership.

Read our full review of The Hartford.

FAQs about RV insurance

I have a travel trailer that I pull with my car. Do I need RV insurance?

States don’t legally require you to insure a vehicle you’re pulling with your car or truck. But if you’re financing your travel trailer, the lender may require comprehensive and collision coverage. 

How can I get the best rates on RV insurance?

If you store your RV, choose a secure facility since the storage location may impact your rates. As with standard car insurance, a good driving record will help your monthly premium. Also, make sure you tap into any discounts that can help reduce your RV insurance bill.  

If I use my RV part-time, should I cancel my insurance while it’s in storage?

While it might save you money in the short term, it’s not a good idea to cancel your RV insurance while it’s in storage. A parked vehicle could be damaged or destroyed due to fire, flood or theft. Maintaining coverage for these risks helps ensure you’re always protected. 

How we picked these insurers

We considered availability, policy options, and discounts to arrive at our choices. We evaluated A.M. Best ratings regarding financial health and factored in NAIC data that compared each company’s total complaints against a national index. We also considered discount options and range of services.

Teen drivers can face unique challenges when searching for auto insurance coverage, including affordability. Insurance companies in most states can consider age as a factor when setting insurance rates, which can translate into steep premiums for teenagers. That’s because teens can be seen as high-risk drivers. Fortunately, there are ways to make auto coverage for teens more budget friendly. 

Some insurers offer discounts for teen drivers or savings for adults who add a teen to their existing policy. It’s essential to know that some insurance products are better than others at meeting the needs of teen drivers.

Keep reading for our top picks for the best insurance for teenage drivers.

• Best for teens overall: State Farm
• Best for teen drivers seeking roadside assistance coverage: Progressive 
• Best for teen drivers with a military affiliation: USAA 
• Best for low-mileage teen drivers: Nationwide
• How we picked these insurers 
• FAQs about car insurance for teens

Best for teens overall: State Farm

Why State Farm stands out above the rest: State Farm provides a broad range of money-saving discounts and teen-friendly insurance products. Its Steer Clear® discount provides teens with driver-focused training and cuts premium costs for those without an at-fault accident or moving violation in the previous three years. 

What to know about State Farm

State Farm offers standard coverage options such as collision, comprehensive, liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist. Optional add-ons include car rental, travel expense and rideshare coverages.

State Farm offers teens the opportunity to save money while acquiring driver-focused training, and usage-based insurance may help young drivers save significantly on their policy. The company, which offers numerous discounts that teen drivers can take advantage of, has higher-than-average customer satisfaction rates in the 2021 J.D Power auto claims satisfaction study, earning 12 points above the industry average.

State Farm doesn’t offer gap insurance and is currently unavailable in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

Read reviews of State Farm Insurance.

Best for teen drivers seeking roadside assistance coverage: Progressive

Why Progressive could be a good choice: Roadside assistance coverage pays for towing expenses following a breakdown and may be valuable for teens who drive older cars. Progressive’s roadside assistance protection includes towing to the nearest qualified repair shop, as well as winching service to pull your vehicle out if it’s trapped in mud, snow, water or sand within 100 feet of a road or highway. 

The range of services includes flat-tire change, fuel delivery, battery jump-start, battery charge for all-electric cars, and up to an hour of on-scene labor if your car is disabled. 

What to know about Progressive

Progressive offers a plethora of discounts on auto insurance policies, including a discount for good grades and the Snapshot® program, which tracks driving habits and gives discounts for good drivers.

And on top of its standard collision, comprehensive, liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages, Progressive offers additional coverage that could help a teen driver. The company provides rideshare driver insurance — so you’re covered if you drive for Uber, Lyft or another service — and optional roadside assistance.

Progressive’s extensive roadside assistance covers towing, fuel delivery, battery jump-starts, locksmith service and flat-tire changes. 

Progressive is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The company ranked below the industry average in the 2021 J.D. Power auto claims satisfaction study, earning 18 points less than the industry average on a 1,000-point scale.
Read reviews of Progressive auto insurance.

Best for teen drivers with a military affiliation: USAA

Why USAA could be a good choice for teens with a military affiliation: USAA specializes in providing car insurance for military families. The company offers several discounts, including options for students with good grades and clean driving records. Those who live in eligible states can save significantly with the company’s safe-driving program, SafePilot. 

What to know about USAA

USAA offers a handful of teen-friendly discounts that may help limit insurance costs, such as a good student discount and a usage-based insurance option called SafePilot. While USAA isn’t technically eligible for J.D. Power’s 2021 auto claims satisfaction study, the company earned a top score of 909 on a 1,000-point scale, which is 29 points higher than the industry average.

The company offers standard coverage options as well as optional roadside assistance and rental reimbursement coverages. USAA is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., but only to those with a military affiliation. 

Read reviews of USAA auto insurance.

Best for low-mileage teen drivers: Nationwide

Why Nationwide could be a good choice for low-mileage teen drivers: Nationwide is an excellent choice for teen drivers who accrue relatively little mileage. This company offers SmartMiles, a pay-per-mile car insurance program with a flexible rate based on your mileage. The SmartMiles program can also give you up to a 10% discount for safe driving after the first renewal.

What to know about Nationwide

Nationwide has many auto insurance options in addition to its standard policies. Rental car expense, gap, vanishing deductible and accident forgiveness coverages can reward a teen for good driving and help if involved in an accident. Nationwide’s SmartMiles program might make sense for a teen driver that doesn’t log many miles.

Nationwide is unavailable in some states and ranked slightly below the industry average in the 2021 J.D. Power auto claims satisfaction study, earning four points less on a 1,000-point scale.

Read reviews of Nationwide auto insurance.

How we picked these insurers

To develop our top picks for teen auto insurance, we reviewed the websites of nearly a dozen insurance companies and J.D. Power’s 2021 Auto Insurance Study. We chose the insurers in this article based on factors we believe necessary to teenagers and their families, including …

• Discounts
• Special services or accommodations for teens
• Customer satisfaction
• Financial stability
• Coverage options
• Types of vehicles insured

FAQs about car insurance for teens

In most states, insurers can consider age as one of the many factors that go into risk assessment — translating into higher or lower car insurance premiums. And drivers in the middle of the pack, age-wise, may get the best rates.

When it comes to mature drivers, some car insurance companies offer discounts for drivers 50 and up to help maximize their savings.

We looked at car insurance companies and considered available discounts and insurance products when picking the best insurance providers for senior drivers. We also factored in different J.D. Power satisfaction ratings and customer complaints from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Here are some of the best insurance companies for senior drivers.

• Best for senior drivers overall: Geico
• Best for senior drivers with AARP membership: The Hartford
• Best for senior drivers with a military affiliation: USAA
• Best for low-mileage senior drivers: Nationwide
• How we picked these insurers
• FAQs about car insurance for older drivers

Best for senior drivers overall: Geico

Why Geico stands out above the rest: Geico offers a variety of car insurance discounts for people age 50 and older. Eligible drivers can take advantage of a defensive driving discount, a five-year good driving discount, and a retired government and military discount. If you’re a member of one of Geico’s hundreds of partner organizations, you may be eligible for even more savings.

The company offers also offers accident forgiveness, which waives the premium rate increase after the first at-fault accident. Geico scored slightly higher than the industry average in the latest J.D. Power auto claims satisfaction study, too. 

What to know about Geico auto insurance

Geico offers standard auto insurance coverage nationwide, including liability, comprehensive, collision and uninsured/underinsured motorist, and offers various additional coverages, such as …

• Emergency road service coverage — Pays for services associated with a breakdown, like towing, battery jump starts and tire changes
• Mechanical breakdown insurance — Covers repair costs if your vehicle has mechanical problems or needs replacement parts
• Medical payments coverage — Covers medical expenses associated with a car accident
• Personal injury protection coverage — Pays for your lost wages, medical treatment or other accident-related costs regardless of who caused the accident

Geico also offers a Prime Time contract that guarantees policy renewal yearly and is available to drivers 50 and older in select states. To qualify, you must have no drivers in your household age 25 or younger and no violations or accidents within the previous three years. 

Read more in Geico auto insurance reviews.

Best for senior drivers with AARP membership: The Hartford

Why The Hartford could be a good choice for drivers with AARP membership: AARP is an organization that advocates for people age 50 and older and has nearly 38 million members. The Hartford offers a series of benefits exclusively for AARP members, including a discount of 10% just for being a member. To be eligible for these benefits, you must be over 50 and have an AARP membership card.

What to know about The Hartford

If you’re an AARP member, The Hartford offers lifetime car repair “assurance” designed to help you find a trusted repair service following a claim. The company also offers AARP members new car replacement if your car is totaled in an accident, guaranteeing that the replacement will be the same make and model of the original vehicle with no deduction or depreciation. And your AARP membership gets you The Hartford’s RecoverCare, which provides up to $2,500 to cover transportation, cooking and cleaning costs if you’re injured in an accident.

The Hartford is available in most states and offers standard car insurance coverage as well as extras like car towing, personal umbrella insurance and gap insurance. Eligibility for key benefits requires AARP membership, which costs $12 to $16 per year for those who are eligible.

Read more about The Hartford auto insurance.

Best for senior drivers with a military affiliation: USAA

Why USAA could be a good choice for older drivers with a military affiliation: USAA is an insurance company that provides discounts and benefits to those connected with the military. Veterans, current military members, and their spouses and children are eligible for membership. USAA offers several discounts that can save you money regardless of age. And drivers residing in eligible states can save up to 30% with the company’s safe driving program, USAA SafePilot.

What to know about USAA

USAA was scored as one of the top insurance companies in J.D. Power’s 2021 auto claims satisfaction study. USAA auto insurance is available nationwide to those who qualify and offers standard coverage options like liability, collision and comprehensive, and other options such as roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement.

Read reviews of USAA auto insurance review.

Best for low-mileage senior drivers: Nationwide

Why Nationwide could be a good choice for low-mileage drivers: If you’re a retired senior, your mileage may be lower than average since you no longer commute to work. Nationwide provides a solution for low-mileage drivers: a usage-based pay-per-mile program called SmartMiles. The program has a flexible, mileage-based rate and offers up to a 10% discount for safe driving after the first renewal.

What to know about Nationwide

In addition to standard coverage options like liability, collision and comprehensive, Nationwide offers a deductible discount. Its “Vanishing Deductible” coverage reduces your deductible by $100 for each year of safe driving, up to $500, and provides accident forgiveness, which helps you avoid a rate hike for your first violation or at-fault accident.

The SmartMiles program may be a great fit for older low-mileage drivers. However, Nationwide ranked below the industry average in the 2021 J.D. Power auto claims satisfaction study, earning four points less than the industry average on a 1,000-point scale. Nationwide is not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana or Massachusetts.

Read reviews of Nationwide.

How we picked these insurers

To arrive at our ratings, we considered availability, policy options and discounts, looking at large and midsize insurance providers. We also looked at J.D Power studies covering auto claims satisfaction and overall customer satisfaction regarding the purchase experience. Finally, we factored in NAIC data that compared each company’s total complaints against a national index.

FAQs about car insurance for older drivers