How to Get Car Insurance for Your Elderly Parent

The main routes to insure your parent's car

You can insure your elderly parent's car in three ways: they can buy a policy in their own name, you can buy a policy in your name and list them as a driver, or you can buy a policy in your name with your parent as the primary driver. Which one works depends on who owns the car, who drives it most, and whether your parent can still pass an underwriting review.

If your parent owns the car and still drives regularly, a policy in their name is usually the simplest path — insurers expect the owner and the primary driver to be the same person. If your parent rarely drives and you own the car or are buying it, a policy in your name makes more sense. If your parent owns the car but you're doing most of the driving, you can be listed as the primary driver on their policy, though some insurers charge more for this arrangement.

The catch is that insurers may decline to write a policy for someone over a certain age, or may require a driving test or medical clearance. Age alone is not a legal reason to deny coverage, but poor driving record, multiple accidents, or a lapsed license can be. You will need to contact insurers directly to find out whether they will cover your parent at all.

Key Takeaways

• A policy in your parent's name works best if they own the car and drive it regularly, but some insurers will not write policies for drivers over a certain age.
• A policy in your name with your parent as a listed driver is an option if you own the car or are the primary driver, though rates may be higher.
• You will need your parent's driver's license number, driving history, and the vehicle identification number (VIN) to get a quote, regardless of whose name the policy is in.
• If your parent has not driven in several years or has medical conditions that affect driving, some insurers may require a driving test or medical report before issuing a policy.
• Discounts for seniors, defensive driving courses, and bundling with home insurance can lower the cost, but availability varies by insurer and state.

Getting a quote when your parent is the policyholder

Contact insurers directly by phone or through their website. Have your parent's driver's license, the car's VIN (found on the registration or dashboard), and the current insurance policy (if one exists) ready. The insurer will ask your parent's age, how many miles they drive per year, where they park the car, and their driving history for the past three to five years.

Some insurers specialize in older drivers or have higher age thresholds before they stop writing new policies. AARP members can often get quotes through AARP-affiliated insurers, though membership is not required to buy from them. Call at least three insurers to compare rates, because pricing for older drivers varies widely.

If an insurer declines your parent, ask why. If it is because of a lapsed license or a serious accident, your parent may need to renew their license or wait for the accident to age off their record (usually three to seven years, depending on the state). If the insurer cites age alone, try a different company — it is legal for them to decline, but not all do.

Getting a quote when you are the policyholder

If you own the car or are buying it, you can buy a policy in your name and list your parent as a driver. This works well if your parent drives occasionally or if they have a driving record that makes them hard to insure on their own.

When you call for a quote, tell the insurer that your parent will be a regular driver of the car. Provide their age, license number, and driving history. The insurer will factor this into your rate — adding an older driver may raise your premium, but usually less than insuring them separately. Some insurers offer discounts if the older driver takes a defensive driving course.

Make sure your parent is listed as a driver on the policy, not just as someone who occasionally borrows the car. If they drive the car regularly and are not listed, a claim could be denied. The policy should also specify whether your parent is a primary driver (drives it most of the time) or an occasional driver (uses it less than half the time).

What happens if your parent cannot pass underwriting

Some insurers will not write a policy for a driver over a certain age, or will require medical documentation or a driving test. This is legal, and different insurers have different thresholds. If your parent is declined, you have several options.

First, try other insurers — some specialize in high-risk or older drivers and may accept your parent when others will not. Second, ask the insurer that declined whether your parent can take a defensive driving course or provide a medical clearance from their doctor. Some insurers will reconsider if they see evidence that your parent is still a safe driver. Third, check whether your state has an insurer of last resort — a pool that must write policies for drivers who cannot find coverage elsewhere. Your state's insurance commissioner's office can tell you whether this exists and how to access it.

If your parent cannot get insured, they should not drive. Driving without insurance is illegal in all states and exposes both your parent and you to liability if they cause an accident.

Documents and information you will need

Before you call an insurer, gather these items:

• Your parent's driver's license (or state ID if they no longer drive)
• The car's VIN, found on the registration, insurance card, or dashboard
• The current insurance policy, if one exists
• Your parent's driving history for the past three to five years (insurers will pull this from the state motor vehicle department, but having it on hand speeds up the quote)
• The title or registration showing who owns the car
• Information about any safety features on the car (airbags, anti-lock brakes, automatic emergency braking)

If your parent has not driven in several years or has medical conditions that might affect their driving, have that information ready too. Some insurers will ask about it directly; others will not. Being upfront can prevent a claim from being denied later.

Discounts that may lower the cost

Senior discounts are common but not universal. Some insurers offer a discount for drivers over 55 or 65; others do not. Ask every insurer you contact whether they have one.

Defensive driving courses are recognized by most insurers and can lower your parent's rate by 5 to 10 percent, though the discount amount varies. Your parent can take these courses online or in person; some are offered through AARP, your state's motor vehicle department, or local community colleges. The course usually takes four to eight hours and costs between $20 and $50.

Bundling — buying car and home insurance from the same company — often saves 10 to 25 percent on both policies. If your parent has homeowners or renters insurance, ask whether switching the car insurance to that same insurer would lower their total cost.

Low-mileage discounts explore if your parent drives fewer than a certain number of miles per year, often 7,500 or 10,000. If your parent no longer commutes and drives only for errands or doctor visits, they may may have access to.

When to review or change the policy

Review your parent's insurance annually, especially if their driving habits have changed. If they have stopped driving altogether, tell the insurer — some offer discounts for parked cars, though the savings are usually small. If they are driving less, a low-mileage discount might explore.

If your parent's health declines and they should no longer be driving, do not just let the policy lapse. Cancel it formally so there is no gap in coverage if they drive by accident, and so you are not paying for insurance on a car that should not be on the road. If your parent is still insisting on driving despite safety concerns, talk to their doctor or contact your state's motor vehicle department — many states allow doctors or family members to report unsafe drivers, and the department can require a retest.

If your parent moves to a different state, rates may change. Notify the insurer of the move, and get a new quote — some states have lower or higher average rates, and your parent's new address may affect the premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my elderly parent to my car insurance policy?

Yes. Call your insurer and ask to add your parent as a listed driver. Your rate will likely increase, but usually less than if your parent bought a separate policy. Make sure your parent is listed as a regular driver if they drive the car often, not just occasionally.

What if my parent's license is expired?

An expired license does not automatically disqualify your parent from being insured, but they cannot legally drive. If your parent wants to drive again, they will need to renew their license at the state motor vehicle department. If they do not plan to drive, you can still insure the car in your name and list them as a driver for legal purposes, though this is uncommon.

Do I need to tell the insurer if my parent has dementia or another condition that affects driving?

You should be honest if asked directly, but insurers do not routinely ask about medical conditions. If your parent's condition makes them unsafe to drive, they should not be driving, and you should not list them as a driver on the policy. If you are concerned about their safety, talk to their doctor or contact your state's motor vehicle department.

What if my parent was in an accident recently?

An accident will raise the insurance rate for three to five years, depending on the state and the insurer. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness programs that waive the rate increase if it is your parent's first accident in a certain period. Ask about this when you get a quote.

Can my parent insure a car they do not own?

No. The person whose name is on the policy must have an insurable interest in the car, which usually means they own it or are financing it. If you own the car, you must be on the policy. Your parent can be listed as a driver, but not as the policyholder.