According to the National Council on Aging, over 16.5 million older adults in the U.S. are economically insecure, with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. For these adults — and even many other seniors who earn more money — rising housing and healthcare costs can be a serious struggle.
One reason economic insecurity is such a prevalent issue for older Americans is that many rely on fixed or limited incomes, where every penny is invaluable. In this case, insurance discounts can help ensure that your hard-earned money stretches farther, allowing you to allocate funds for other essential needs.
If you’re looking for ways to save on transportation costs, the Mercury mature driver discount might be for you. Read on to learn more about the program, including who qualifies, how to get the discount, and how much you can save.
What Is the Mercury Mature Driver Discount?
The Mercury mature driver discount is a program offered by Mercury Insurance (and many other insurance carriers) to reward safe and experienced drivers by reducing the cost of their auto insurance premiums. It’s meant to recognize that seniors have decades of experience behind the wheel — and tend to exhibit generally cautious behavior — that makes them good drivers who help keep the roads safer for everyone.
What Are the Requirements for the Mercury Mature Driver Discount?
The exact requirements vary by state, so check with your Mercury Insurance agent or broker to learn the eligibility criteria for your specific location. But generally, no matter where you live, you’ll need to be at least 55-65 years old and have a clean driving record.
What Are the Requirements for the Mercury Mature Driver Discount in California?
In California, drivers looking to qualify for the mature driver discount from Mercury insurance need to:
- Be at least 55 years old.
- Have a valid California driver’s license.
- Maintain a clean driving record.
- Have a Mercury policy on at least one vehicle.
- Take a DMV-approved mature driver course at least once every three years (more on that below).
How to Get the Mercury Mature Driver Discount
Ready to start saving money on your Mercury insurance policy? Here’s how to get the mature driver discount, step-by-step.
1. Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria. Double-check the list above, and make sure you’re eligible for the program. Remember that criteria can vary by state, so if you live outside of California, it’s a good idea to check with your Mercury agent or broker to find out how to qualify.
2. Sign up for a California DMV-approved mature driver course. The course may also be called a defensive driving course. These classes are designed to help you freshen up your driving skills and knowledge of the rules of the road — plus learn how to adapt to age-related changes, like natural declines in your eyesight and hearing. At Traffic Safety Institute, we offer an online mature driver course that’s approved by the California DMV and accepted by all insurance carriers in the state, including Mercury.
3. Pass the final exam and obtain your insurance discount certificate. Once you complete and pass the course, you can access your discount certificate, which you’ll need to present to your Mercury agent or broker to get your discount. At Traffic Safety Institute, you receive your certificate as soon as you pass the final exam and pay for the course.
4. Submit your insurance discount certificate to your Mercury insurance agent or broker. They’ll apply your mature driver discount to your premiums so you can start saving right away.
FAQ About the Mercury Mature Driver Discount
Still have questions about the Mercury mature driver discount? We have answers! Check out some of the most frequently asked questions below.
1. What’s the Mercury Mature Driver Discount Age?
The age to qualify for the Mercury mature driver discount can vary by state. In California, you need to be at least 55, but if you live in any other state, give your Mercury insurance agent or broker a call to ask about the eligibility criteria for your specific area.
2. How Long Is the Mercury Mature Driver Discount Valid?
After you complete the mature driver course, your first insurance discount certificate is valid for three years. After that, if you want to keep getting the discount on your premiums, you’ll need to take a renewal course, which is similar to the mature driver course, but shorter.
After completing the renewal course, you’ll get a new certificate, which is valid for another three years. You can repeat this process every three years for as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria for the mature driver discount program.
3. How Much Can You Save With the Mercury Mature Driver Discount?
Discounts for mature driver programs vary by location, and sometimes even by individual insurance agent — so it’s always a good idea to call your agent or broker and ask them about how much of a discount they offer so you know exactly what to expect.
With that said, however, the average discount for Mercury Insurance customers in California who qualify for the mature driver discount is 16%.
According to a Bankrate analysis, the average cost of an auto insurance policy in California is $2,291 per year. At that cost, a 16% savings would come out to $366.56 per year, or $1,099.68 total over the three years that your insurance discount certificate is valid — and that’s after taking the mature driver course just one time. You can take the renewal course every three years and keep getting discounts for as long as you keep driving and stay eligible for the program.
When you take your mature driver course with Traffic Safety Institute, we guarantee that you’ll save at least $100 on your insurance premiums. But it’s easy to see how you can actually save much more than that.
4. How Long Is the Mature Driver Course?
California’s DMV-approved mature driver course contains 13 modules of easy-to-follow materials. When you take the course in person, in a classroom, the DMV requires you to sit for at least 400 minutes of instruction for the initial course, and 240 minutes for the renewal course.
But when you choose to take the course online, like with Traffic Safety Institute, you can move through the lessons at your own pace. You can also take the course from the comfort of your own home (or anywhere else where you have access to an internet-connected device). It’s OK to take your time if you want — or you can finish the entire course in one sitting, like many of our students do.
5. How Do You Get the Mercury Mature Driver Discount?
First, make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria for the mature driver discount in your area. Then, sign up for a DMV-approved mature driver course. Once you complete the course and pass the final exam, obtain your insurance discount certificate and present it to your Mercury insurance agent or broker. They’ll apply the discount to your premiums for the next three years.
Sign Up for Your Mature Driver Course for Free with Traffic Safety Institute
Many online traffic schools offer mature driver courses that are DMV-approved and accepted by major insurance carriers. Most of them cost $40-$70 per course. But what they don’t tell you about is the hidden fees — including extra fees to get your insurance discount certificate after you pass the course.
At Traffic Safety Institute, there are no hidden fees — ever. Our DMV-approved course is just $24.99. For that cost, you get:
- DMV-approved course
- Guaranteed to pass
- Electronic certificate copy
- Free and fast shipping for your physical certificate copy
- 24/7 live chat support
- Audio read along
- $100 insurance savings guarantee
Plus, our mature driver course is accepted by all major insurance carriers in California — not just Mercury — so if you ever change plans, you can still get your discount.
Ready to start saving money on your auto insurance? If you qualify for the mature driver program in California, you can get started today for free. At Traffic Safety Institute, there’s no risk — you don’t have to pay until after you pass. All you have to do is sign up to start your course.
Start saving money on your Mercury car insurance. Sign up for a Mature Driver Course today and get started for free.
