A Driving Course That Could Lower Your Car Insurance After 55
Car insurance is a bill many of us pay without a second look. Before you set out to earn money to cover it, it is worth seeing whether you can make the bill itself smaller. One simple option for drivers over 55 is a defensive driving course, sometimes called a mature driver or accident prevention course.
How the discount works
In a number of states, rules call for insurers to give a discount to older drivers who finish a state-approved course. A 2026 roundup by Insurance.com lists more than 20 such states, including California, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota. The minimum age is usually 55, though it is 60 in Connecticut and 65 in Massachusetts.
The size of the discount varies. Insurance.com puts the average at about 5%, and some states set a minimum. In Minnesota, for example, state law requires at least 10%, and you keep it by taking a refresher course every three years. In states without a rule, some insurers offer a discount anyway. Nationwide, for instance, says it offers about 5% in select states to drivers 55 and over who complete an approved course and have no recent at-fault accidents.
So on a $100 monthly premium, a 5% discount could save around $5 a month. That is a small amount, but it can trim a bill you are trying to cover. These are estimates; your own savings depend on your insurer and your state.
Taking a course
Courses are offered online and in classrooms. AARP’s Smart Driver course is one well-known option. Its online version runs 4, 6 or 8 hours depending on your state, and you can do it at your own pace on a computer, tablet or phone. The price varies by state, and AARP members get a discount.
Before you sign up:
- Call your insurance agent or company and ask: “Do you offer a discount for a defensive driving course, and which courses do you accept?”
- Ask how much the discount is and how long it lasts.
- Take the approved course and keep your certificate.
- Send the certificate to your insurer and check your next bill to be sure the discount was applied.
Other ways to trim the bill
The Insurance Information Institute suggests a few more steps:
- Get at least three quotes, since prices vary by company.
- Ask about discounts for low mileage, a clean driving record and bundling home and auto policies.
- Consider a higher deductible, if you could afford to pay it after an accident.
- On an older car, consider whether collision and comprehensive coverage are still worth what they cost.
As the Institute puts it, the final price matters more than any one discount. Compare total costs, not just the discounts listed.
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