A mature driver discount could help you save up to 15% on car insurance, but how do you get it? Depending on the state, you may become eligible by taking an online or in-person course designed for senior drivers.
The discount amount and eligibility criteria vary by state and insurer. Here’s what you should know about how to maximize your insurance savings.
What Is a Mature Driver Discount?
New York, Florida, California, and other states require insurers to offer a course-based discount for senior drivers. This is commonly referred to as a mature driver discount and ranges from 5% to 15% or more.
Eligibility requirements vary among states but generally include the following:
- Be 55+ years old
- Complete a state-approved mature driver course
- Maintain a clean driving record
The discount applies for up to three years, as long as you avoid DUIs, at-fault crashes, and even minor traffic violations. Again, rules vary by state—and some jurisdictions are more flexible than others.
Let’s see a few examples:
| State | Minimum age | Discount % | Duration | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 55 | 5–15% | 3 yrs |
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| Florida | 55 | 5–15% | 3 yrs |
|
| Connecticut | 60 | 5%+ | 2 yrs |
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| Pennsylvania | 55 | 5%+ | 3 yrs |
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| Minnesota | 55 | 10% | 3 yrs |
|
Most states have similar rules. Some, like California and Florida, mandate a discount for seniors who have taken a course. Others leave it up to insurance companies.
How much you can save also depends on your insurance provider. For instance, the average discount for Allstate customers in California is 10%. The same applies to those who are insured with Progressive. Other insurers may offer more or less, although some states have mandated minimum discounts.
Why Take a Mature Driver Course?
Apart from the age requirement, the key condition for receiving a mature driver discount is completing a mature driver course. Need one more reason to sign up? You’ll become a safer driver, refresh your knowledge of traffic laws, and learn strategies to compensate for age-related changes.
This training program is an investment in yourself, not just a means to save money. Here’s why you should enroll:
Lower Your Auto Insurance Costs
Most insurers will lower your rates by at least 5% after you complete a mature driver course. The discount is valid for two or three consecutive years, depending on where you live.
Suppose you take a mature driver course in Florida, where the average cost of full coverage auto insurance is $4,023 per year. A 10% discount on your premiums could save you $400 per year—or $1,200 over three years.
Read more: How to Choose the Best Mature Driver Course in Florida
| Discount percentage | Annual savings | Savings over three years |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | $201.15 | $603.45 |
| 10% | $402.30 | $1,206.90 |
| 15% | $603.45 | $1,810.35 |
Similarly, California drivers who complete the course can save between $150 (5%) and $450 (15%) per year for up to three years, based on the state’s average annual premium of $3,102.
Refresh Your Driving Skills
According to a scientific review published in Gerontology, training interventions may improve driving performance in older adults by increasing awareness of hazardous conditions. Mature driving courses also address the limitations that come with age, helping seniors stay safe and confident on the road.
For example, some lessons focus on special driving conditions like night driving, heavy rain, or glare from oncoming headlights. You may already know how to handle these situations, but the course can introduce strategies you haven’t considered. It also offers practical tips for handling high-risk scenarios, such as when another driver cuts you off.
Update Your Knowledge of Traffic Laws
Traffic laws change frequently, making it difficult to stay compliant. This is especially true for right-of-way rules, work zone safety standards, and newly introduced traffic signs.
A mature driver training program acts as a refresher on the most important road rules. Revisiting these topics can make driving less stressful – and help you avoid hefty fines.
Address Age-Related Changes
Reaction time decreases by two to six milliseconds per decade, which can affect our ability to respond quickly to distracted drivers, sudden road hazards, and other unexpected situations. Aging also affects vision, hearing, and motor skills, causing limitations that impact driving performance.
A mature driver course will teach you how to manage age-related changes so you can minimize their impact and regain your confidence. As you go through the lessons, you’ll learn compensatory strategies like:
- Adjusting your seat and mirrors for maximum visibility.
- Minimizing left turns at high-traffic intersections.
- Limiting night driving.
- Increasing your following distance.
- Planning your routes to avoid heavy traffic.
Read: How Does Age Affect Driving?
Other Discounts for Mature Drivers
Whether you’re looking for cheap car insurance in Florida, California, or other states, you can stack multiple discounts to reduce your premiums. For example, many insurance providers let their customers combine the senior driver discount with other savings, such as:
- Good driver discount: Progressive, Allstate, and other major insurers reward customers who maintain a clean driving record for a specific period. For example, the California good driver discount offers a 20% discount for safe drivers who have accumulated no more than one point on their records in the past three years.
- Low mileage discounts: If you drive 5,000 to 7,500 miles or less per year, you may be eligible for a low mileage discount and save as much as 20% on auto insurance. What qualifies as “low mileage” varies from one insurer to another.
- Bundle discounts: Purchasing multiple policies (e.g., home and auto insurance) from the same provider can lower your rates by 10-15%, and, in some cases, up to 40%. The same applies if you insure two or more vehicles with the same company.
- Loyalty discounts: The longer you stay with the same insurance provider, the more you can save. These discounts typically range from 10% to 20% and kick in after at least one year of continuous coverage.
- Usage-based/telematics discounts: Most insurers offer savings based on how you drive, tracking factors like speed, mileage, and seat belt usage. With your consent, this data is collected via a mobile app or in-car device and used to calculate your rate. The discount amount is 10–25% or more, but keep in mind, your premiums may increase if your driving behavior raises red flags.
Why Take a Mature Driver Course with Traffic Safety Institute
Traffic Safety Institute makes it easy to save on auto insurance. If you’re 55 or older and live in Florida or California, take our mature driver course to lower your premiums by 5-15%. Our training programs are approved by the DMV and accepted by all insurers, offering a hassle-free learning experience via an intuitive online platform.
The California mature driver course takes about six and a half hours, and you can study online at your own pace. To keep your insurance discount, you’ll need to take a four-hour refresher course every three years.
We have a similar training program for Florida drivers. It’s only four hours long and can be completed from any device, including smartphones. Learn more about our Florida mature driver improvement course, or sign up for free to see what it looks like.
Both courses feature clear, engaging study materials, plus practice quizzes, videos, and other helpful resources. Our students also enjoy added perks, such as:
✅ Free audio read-along
✅ Unlimited retakes
✅ Multi-device compatibility
✅ Log in and out at your convenience
✅ Automated progress tracking
✅ Instant electronic certificate copy
✅ $100 Savings Guarantee
✅ 24/7 live chat support
Plus, you can take our mature driver course for free and pay only after passing the final exam (which is really easy!).
Car insurance doesn’t have to be expensive. Lower your premiums and update your knowledge of traffic laws with our mature driver improvement program. Start a mature driver course for FREE today.
