Each state has its own car insurance laws, including the amount of minimum coverage you must purchase to drive legally. Additionally, every state, city, and even specific neighborhood has its set of unique qualities, including the cost of living and crash statistics.

The type of vehicle you drive is also important. Each vehicle comes with its own statistical information regarding safety and crash frequency. Vehicles with numerous advanced safety features like forward collision warning and side curtain air bags may cost less to insure than vehicles with fewer of these accident-mitigation features. However, the more expensive a vehicle is to repair or replace, the more expensive it is to purchase full coverage for that vehicle, in general.

Your driving record is one of the most impactful factors determining your premium. Drivers with clean records are seen as having safer driving habits and a lower risk of filing a claim, which costs the insurance company money. Drivers with a history of driving incidents like tickets, accidents, or DUI convictions are viewed as high-risk and, therefore, usually pay higher premiums.

Generally, the more coverage you purchase, the higher your premium will be. This goes for endorsements, too; adding optional coverages generally increases your premium.

In most states, your credit score will affect what you pay for car insurance. Drivers with lower credit scores are statistically more likely to file claims, so their premiums are usually higher. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan ban the use of credit as a rating factor.

Men generally pay more than women for car insurance because men are statistically more likely to get into accidents. However, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania do not allow gender to be used as a rating factor.

The first step is to sit down and take a look at what you need. You may want to start with looking at your state’s minimum requirements for car insurance and then decide how much coverage you want beyond that, if any. If you aren’t sure how much car insurance you need, you may want to work with an insurance agent for this step.

Once you have a good idea of what coverage you need, do some research to find the best insurance providers for your specific needs. Be sure to look at customer reviews for different companies as well as coverage options and discounts specific to seniors.

Once you have a good understanding of which providers are available to you, it’s time to narrow down your options. Choose your top several providers and check to see if they offer coverage in your area. You can also use this step to dig a little deeper into these carriers to ensure they fit your needs.

Once you have found car insurance companies you’re happy with, get a quote from each one. You can often do this online or by phone, or if you prefer, you may be able to visit a local agency, depending on the company. You’ll need information about yourself and any other drivers in the household, as well as information about each vehicle you want to insure.

Once you’ve gotten quotes and have found a provider you’d like to proceed with, talk to a company representative about how to purchase the policy. You’ll probably need to make at least one month’s payment for coverage to be active, and you might need to sign an application as well.

Not necessarily. While age is an important rating factor, your driving history is probably more impactful. However, drivers over 70 are more likely to get into accidents due to age-related changes. This could mean that, around age 70, rates start to increase. If you can maintain a clean driving record, though, you’ll likely have a lower premium than a senior with a history of accidents.

The best car insurance for seniors will depend on your personal circumstances and which providers are available where you live. When choosing a company, consider what features, coverages, and discounts you are looking for, as well as how important customer satisfaction and financial strength are to you.

It depends on the company. Some companies may offer discounts to senior drivers. However, shopping while looking solely for a senior discount could mean you miss out on good rates with another company. Instead, you may want to get quotes from companies that don’t offer the discount so you can compare those rates with companies that do offer a senior discount.