AARP Auto Insurance Reviews: Rates and Coverage (2024)

Written by:

Dash Lewis, Writer

Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer

03/05/2024 02:44 PM

Key Points:

• AARP’s car insurance is offered through The Hartford where drivers must be 50 years or older to qualify.
• While car insurance premiums through The Hartford are higher than average, AARP members get an automatic discounted rate on their premiums.
• The Hartford provides great coverage with multiple add-on options, along with many discounts that can help lower premium prices for AARP members.

If you’re a member of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) or you’re considering joining, you can get car insurance through AARP, backed by The Hartford. AARP auto insurance reviews suggest that membership is worth the investment for older drivers looking for comprehensive low-cost car insurance.

Our review team has analyzed the coverage options, reputation, reliability, pricing, and customer experience of 130 different car insurance companies. In the process, we’ve collected the data to compare AARP auto insurance to some of the best car insurance companies in the U.S. Overall, we give AARP auto insurance a rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars.

Our AARP Auto Insurance Review And Methodology

Since AARP auto insurance comes from The Hartford, our primary research focused on both companies. The Hartford scored well for the coverage options it gives policyholders and its many discount opportunities. However, the insurer lost some points for its higher-than-average costs and lack of accessibility.

How We Rated AARP Auto Insurance

We evaluated both AARP and The Hartford across six specific research categories:

• Reliability
• Availability
• Coverage
• Cost
• Service
• Technology

Reliability: 4.1 Stars

Reliability is all about a company’s reputation, especially among organizations and other businesses that evaluate that company. The Hartford shows both weak and strong ratings from industry experts like AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

AM Best is an organization that looks at the financial strength of companies. The BBB is a site that examines the business models, licensing information, and customer service records of different companies. The Hartford mostly has strong industry standing among these experts, we rate the company 4.1 out of 5.0 stars in this category.

Availability: 4.0 Stars

To come up with this score, we look at state availability and group exclusion. We rated AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. While the insurance is available in every state, it’s only limited to drivers who are at least 50 years old and who are members of AARP.

Coverage: 4.6 Stars

AARP’s Hartford program offers the six standard types of car insurance along with many add-on coverage options and special benefits that include accident forgiveness, new car replacement coverage, and a 24/7 claims hotline.

However, there are certain coverages offered at many car insurance companies that AARP’s auto insurance program doesn’t offer–such as trip interruption coverage and rideshare insurance. So, AARP’s auto insurance coverage gets a high rating, but not a perfect one.

Cost: 3.7 Stars

Our team reviews data from Quadrant Information Services that show the average rates of car insurance for drivers in every state. Providers with multiple car insurance discounts and lower rates get the best score.

Our cost data for The Hartford covers male and female drivers within the 100 most populous ZIP codes in each state. Although you can find great discount opportunities through the AARP and The Hartford, the basic cost of coverage is above average. These higher car insurance rates are why we give The Hartford 3.7 out of 5.0 stars for pricing.

Customer Service: 4.1 Stars

As part of this scoring category, we comb through hundreds of online customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot. The Hartford’s auto insurance also ranks well in certain customer satisfaction studies conducted by J.D. Power, a trusted data analytics organization.

AARP’s auto insurance has shown highly mixed reviews about customer service, with low ratings on the BBB and Trustpilot sites. Many customers on these sites have reported communication issues and hidden fees with The Hartford.

However, it’s normal for insurance companies to receive low customer ratings on the BBB site. These complaints are only a small percentage of the overall AARP Hartford policyholder population, so we give AARP’s auto insurance through The Hartford a standard above-average customer service rating.

Technology: 4.7 Stars

Car insurance providers stand out when they offer technology like mobile apps, telematics programs, and advanced online services. AARP caters to its members through The Hartford with a highly-rated mobile app, a usage-based driving program, and more.

Advanced online services are anything that make life easier, and The Hartford does well with this since it offers online quotes and lets you handle claims online. With all these services given through technology, AARP’s insurance program has kept up with the times, so we give it a high rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars.

AARP Auto Insurance Quick Facts

Founded: 1958 (AARP)
Availability: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
AM Best financial strength rating: A+ Superior
BBB rating: A+

For over 65 years, the AARP has been addressing the needs and interests of middle-aged and older people across the country. In 1984, The Hartford backed the AARP auto insurance program. Membership is open to those 50 and older, whether currently working or retired. AARP car insurance through The Hartford is available in every state. Members can also get health and pet insurance through other AARP partner insurers.

AARP Auto Insurance Industry Ratings

As previously mentioned, AARP’s auto insurance through The Hartford has relatively strong ratings across car insurance industry experts.The BBB gives both AARP and The Hartford A+ ratings for the way the companies respond to customers, but neither company is accredited. AM Best’s A+ rating of The Hartford shows that the company has supreme financial strength and is highly likely to pay out claims for customers.

AARP’s auto insurance from The Hartford has a good reputation from industry experts, but isn’t very popular to consumers when compared to bigger companies like Progressive and Allstate. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), The Hartford only makes up less than one percent of the total market share with car insurers.

How Much Does AARP Car Insurance Cost?

As mentioned, drivers have to be 50 years or older to become AARP members and buy a policy from AARP’s Hartford insurance program. According to our data from Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of full-coverage car insurance from The Hartford is $1,620 per year for 50-year-old drivers. This estimate is for drivers 50 years of age who drive a 2020 Honda CR-V.

Age is just one of the primary factors that affect the cost of car insurance. If you’re pushing past 65, you can expect your rates to be higher. However, the cost of AARP auto insurance from The Hartford depends on many factors, such as:

• Where you live
• The year, make, and model of your insured car
• The age and driving history of all drivers on your policy

We were able to compare average rates of The Hartford with other popular providers in the industry, which we will cover in the tables below.

Full-Coverage Car Insurance Cost Comparison

Full-coverage car insurance policies usually include liability coverage, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance. Below, you can compare the average full-coverage auto insurance rates of Hartford policyholders 50 years of age with other national providers. All rates are annual and again apply to a 2020 Honda CR-V.

AARP Car Insurance Rate Comparison For 50-Year-Olds

Here’s how The Hartford car insurance compares to other providers’ costs for 50-year-old drivers. As you can see, The Hartford’s insurance is more expensive than major national providers like USAA and Geico.

What Is AARP’s Cheapest Auto Insurance Coverage?

In the best case scenario, everyone would buy full-coverage insurance. But if your budget doesn’t allow for it, you can still opt for minimum-coverage insurance. Just be aware that it won’t protect your car if you’re at-fault in an accident or hit an immobile object.

Our team retrieved minimum-liability coverage cost estimates for a single, 30-year-old male with good credit and a clean driving history. As with the quotes above, these estimates are for covering a 2020 Honda CR-V.

The national average cost of minimum coverage for this driver profile is $798 per year or $67 per month. The Hartford checks in just above these estimates at $851 per year or $71 per month.

AARP Car Insurance Rates By Driving Profile

Driving profiles are important to insurance companies because they reveal what kind of risk you are to the provider. Since The Hartford covers one of the riskiest age groups on the road, it’s not surprising that the rates are all above the national average. However, if you’re an older driver with any speeding tickets or DUIs on your record, AARP’s auto insurance from The Hartford may not be the best program for you.

The table below shows the differences between national and The Hartford annual full-coverage car insurance premiums for drivers with several different traffic violations. Our team was able to pull Quadrant data for the same 30-year-old male driving profile as used above. Drivers older than this can expect even higher rates.

The Hartford Car Insurance Rates By Age

While you have to be an AARP member to buy a policy from the AARP-Hartford program, you don’t have to be 50 years or older to be added on an AARP-Hartford policy as a spouse or child. You can also buy car insurance from The Hartford directly.

Whether you’re a driver on an AARP member’s policy or you’re getting car insurance from The Hartford directly, your age will factor into the cost of insurance. The table below shows what you’ll pay annually and per month for car insurance with The Hartford, again for those driving a 2020 Honda CR-V.

AARP Auto Insurance Discounts

All AARP members who take out a car insurance policy with The Hartford receive a $507-average discount on their premium. AARP drivers who have insurance through The Hartford may qualify for even more discounts. The table below explains further:

*Each discount’s availability also varies by state.

AARP’s Usage-Based Insurance Discount

As discussed above, AARP members get an automatic 12 percent discount for signing up for TrueLane^® By The Hartford, which is The Hartford’s telematics insurance program. TrueLane monitors your driving habits through an app and awards discounts to your premium for safe driving practices. By renewing, you could get a discount of up to 25 percent.

To get the best results, do the following:

• Keep phone usage to a minimum
• Brake gradually
• Accelerate gently
• Turn safely and slowly
• Follow speed limits

AARP Auto Insurance Coverage

AARP auto insurance is provided by The Hartford. With any policy, you can get standard types of car insurance, including:

• Liability insurance: This coverage applies to accidents you’re found at fault for. Bodily injury liability coverage pays for the medical bills of other parties and property damage liability covers the repairs to other parties’ property.
• Collision insurance: This pays for repairs to your vehicle after a collision.
• Comprehensive insurance: This insurance takes care of your car’s damages from fire, floods, theft, vandalism, and other environmental impacts.
• Medical payments coverage (MedPay): This covers you and your passengers’ bodily injuries after a car-related incident.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): PIP covers your medical bills, but adds on coverage for lost wages and funeral costs.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): This covers your injuries and car damages if you get into an accident with a driver who has little to no insurance.

It’s important to note that liability coverage only covers the other parties’ injuries and car damages from accidents or collisions that you caused. It will not cover your injuries or car.

All AARP auto insurance plans from The Hartford also include the following:

AARP Auto Insurance Add-Ons

Depending on the plan you choose, you also have access to the following additional coverage and benefits:

Roadside Protection

You may also want to consider getting Roadside Protection, which is offered through Allstate for programs like Roadside Assist and Roadside Elite. It costs as little as $5.50 per month and you save up to 20 percent on your annual membership fees when you sign up. These enrollment benefits include:

• 24/7 towing services
• Battery jump-starts
• Flat-tire services
• Lockout assistance
• Fuel delivery services

Several of these benefits are unusual for an insurance package. A disappearing deductible and accident forgiveness insurance can be valuable add-ons to an AARP auto insurance policy. A disappearing deductible can make your car insurance affordable when it comes time to file a claim. For each year that you maintain a clean driving record, your car insurance deductible will go down.

The Hartford also offers a deductible waiver. If added to your policy, the provider will waive your collision deductible for most accidents in which you’re not at fault. However, this isn’t available in all states, so ask about this coverage if it’s important to you.

Does AARP Cover Rideshare Drivers?

AARP doesn’t list rideshare insurance among its coverage options. If you drive with a rideshare or food delivery service like Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash, you need to find an insurance policy that will cover you for these driving circ*mstances.

Rideshare insurance from a standard car insurance company is designed to fill in the gaps from rideshare companies’ coverages.

Can AARP Cover Classic Cars?

Yes, AARP offers classic car insurance through The Hartford. Its policy is through Nutmeg Insurance Agency. To be eligible, your classic or collector car must be used for pleasure instead of being an everyday car. Nutmeg Insurance Agency also offers the following discounts:

• Classic car discount: You can get this discount by adding anti-theft devices, such as tracking equipment and alarms.
• Defensive driving or accident prevention course: You can save money on your premium by completing an approved class.
• 24/7 roadside assistance: It comes with flatbed towing and cloth straps to protect your classic car.

Can AARP Cover SR-22 Insurance?

SR-22 insurance isn’t listed as one of The Hartford’s insurance options. If you’ve been convicted of a serious driving violation, you’ll need to find an insurance policy that offers this. This SR-22 form is required to prove you’re meeting your state’s minimum liability insurance limits. While it varies by state, you typically need to have continuous insurance coverage for three years or more.

What AARP Is Missing

Though AARP’s car insurance through The Hartford is quite comprehensive, it doesn’t list the following types of insurance on its site. This includes:

• Agreed value
• Military insurance
• Rideshare insurance
• SR-22 insurance

Other AARP Insurance Products

AARP provides a slew of other insurance products that cater to seniors ranging from healthcare and life insurance to home and pet coverage:

AARP Insurance Customer Reviews

The Hartford’s customer service shows mixed performance across many different consumer feedback studies and customer review sites. In the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠, The Hartford is among the top ranking providers in customer satisfaction in Florida and the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest regions. It was the top-ranked insurer in the Northwest region.

In J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠, The Hartford scored 877 out of 1,000 points. This was a shade below the industry average score of 878.

On Trustpilot, 91 percent of reviews give the provider just one star, but this is only out of just over 100 reviews. It’s normal to see a low customer rating on the BBB, where The Hartford has a 1.1 rating out of 5.0 stars. It’s difficult to find any recent positive reviews on the BBB.

AARP Insurance Complaints

AARP auto insurance coverage through The Hartford gets an A+ rating from the BBB but there aren’t any positive reviews. Many of the bad reviews mentioned hidden fees and The Hartford’s repeated failure to respond to phone calls.

“I rented a car at the airport for four days and submitted the invoice for reimbursem*nt as instructed. No one ever confirmed [the] receipt of my submission nor have they ever responded to my queries. I have yet to be reimbursed and I seriously doubt I ever will.”

– Joe M. via BBB

“After canceling, a bill came saying I owed a cancellation fee – of which I was not aware and disputed. They turned it to collections. I am furious with their hidden fees and also shame … for dealing with a company that cheats seniors – the demographic they are supposed to service.”

– Elisabeth T. via BBB

“We had an auto claim. … The body shop will not refund us the money we are owed unless Hartford calls them and tells them to give us our money. … We have called and sent numerous emails enclosing the paid bills to Hartford, but they do not respond.”

– Glenn G. via BBB

AARP Mobile App

The AARP Now mobile app lets you access discounts and manage your membership. You can earn rewards when you sync your phone and allow the app to track your activity, including your steps, biking, and swimming.

AARP Now gets high ratings on the App Store at 4.8 out of 5.0 stars. Users praise AARP Now for its informational capabilities, customer service, easy navigation, and good resources. Some customers have reported functionality issues and difficulty canceling accounts, however. Google Play has a rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars for the AARP Now app, with people often complaining about too many notifications.

AARP Auto Insurance Reviews: Our Take

AARP car insurance coverage through The Hartford can be a solid option for older, experienced drivers. The company provides a wide range of coverage options and car insurance discounts.

Although we believe the AARP offers a quality insurance product, it’s always a good idea to look into other coverage options to see if you can get a better deal.

AARP Auto Insurance Competitors: Top Companies

AARP isn’t the only strong option on the market for car insurance. Below, we’ve listed out a few more providers that are known for having competitive rates and excellent coverage plans. It’s important to get multiple car insurance quotes to know which company will offer you the best rates.

State Farm: Best Overall

State Farm is the largest auto insurance provider in the United States and has approximately 18 percent of the market share, according to the NAIC. We ranked State Farm 4.7 out of 5.0 stars and named it Best Overall provider.

State Farm is well-known for its reasonable rates and quick payouts for claims. There are many discount opportunities for drivers of all ages including a safe driver discount and bundling discounts.

Geico: Best For Basic Coverage

Geico is the third-largest auto insurance provider in the nation with nearly 12 percent of the market share, according to the NAIC. The insurer is a great choice for motorists who prefer to manage their claims online, thanks to a state-of-the-art website and mobile app. Drivers who prefer in-person interactions can still find a local Geico agent in many states.

USAA: Best For Military Members

USAA car insurance falls right in line with The Hartford’s discounted AARP member rates. However, the provider is only available to military service personnel, veterans, and their families. If you qualify, you’ll likely receive affordable rates and some of the highest-quality coverage in the insurance industry.

AARP Insurance Reviews: FAQ

Below are frequently asked questions about AARP auto insurance reviews.

How We Rate AARP

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
• Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

Dash Lewis Content Writer