Is AARP legitimate?
Yes. AARP insurance from The Hartford is legitimate. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, has high financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, and receives fewer than average complaints from the NAIC.
AARP is one of the country’s largest nonprofit organizations, serving 38 million Americans over age 50. It partners with The Hartford to offer a wide range of auto insurance products for its members — from basics like liability insurance and personal injury protection to optional coverages like gap insurance and new-car replacement.
The AARP Auto Insurance Program is exclusively available to AARP members, so drivers younger than 50 must look elsewhere for coverage. Members who opt for car insurance through AARP enjoy plenty of generous discounts, a highly rated customer service experience, and excellent company financial strength.
What is AARP auto insurance?
In 1984, AARP introduced its car insurance program, which it offers exclusively to AARP’s nearly 38 million members across all 50 states.1
The AARP Auto Insurance Program partners with The Hartford, a top-20 auto insurance company by market share.2 Credit-rating agency A.M. Best awarded The Hartford an A+ (Superior) grade, indicating excellent financial strength, and J.D. Power named The Hartford the best midsize insurer for customer satisfaction in 2022 and 2023.3 4
AARP pros and cons
AARP car insurance coverage
AARP offers the standard state-minimum required car insurance coverage, which includes bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. If you cause a car accident, liability insurance covers the other driver’s medical bills and car repairs. All states require some level of liability coverage.
AARP also offers collision coverage, which covers repairs to your car if you hit another car or object, and comprehensive coverage, which covers damage caused by non-collision events.5
AARP offers various other coverages, including:
Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage: Protects you if you get in an accident with a driver who is uninsured or has an inadequate level of coverage
Auto glass insurance: Covers the costs of replacing a damaged windshield, sometimes for just a few extras dollars per month
Towing insurance: Helps pay for the cost of towing your vehicle to a repair shop if it breaks down on the road
Gap insurance: Pays the difference between your car’s actual cash value and your remaining auto loan balance
AARP auto insurance cost by driving history
Drivers with infractions on their record, such as speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUIs, will face higher average car insurance rates.6 Car insurance companies see these drivers as more likely to file a claim in the future, so they charge them higher monthly premiums to offset this risk.
If you have a clean driving record, you’ll see more affordable car insurance from AARP. You can save even more on your policy if you sign up for TrueLane, AARP’s telematics program. Drivers who avoid accidents and traffic violations can save up to 25% on their policy with TrueLane.
AARP car insurance cost by age
AARP memberships are only available to people older than 50 — and drivers older than 50 already pay less for car insurance, on average. Car insurance companies strongly consider your age when setting rates and see older drivers as more experienced, mature, and statistically less likely to file a claim. As a result, older drivers pay less for car insurance each month.6
How to get an AARP car insurance quote
The AARP website states that drivers can get started with AARP insurance by receiving a quote in person, over the phone, or online. Here’s how to access your quote online:
First, make sure you have your driver’s license, vehicle registration, current auto insurance info, vehicle identification number (VIN), and vehicle lease/loan info on hand.
Visit the AARP official insurance site and enter your ZIP code.
Answer a few questions about your background, the vehicle you drive, and the coverages you’re looking for.
If you need help during the quoting process, call AARP at 1 (888) 546-9099.
AARP car insurance discounts
Insurers consider many factors when determining your car insurance rate. No matter how much you pay, you can lower your rates by applying for discounts.
Here are some of the discounts AARP offers:
Paid-in-full discount: AARP rewards drivers who pay their policy amount all at once instead of in monthly payments. Tell your agent you plan on paying in full to qualify.
Drive safe and save through TrueLane: AARP’s TrueLane program uses telematics to encourage safe driving. You can save up to 12% by participating and up to 25% if you renew. Talk to your agent to get started.
Safety features discount: AARP rewards drivers who stay safe by installing key safety features in their cars. Invest in antilock brakes and advanced airbag systems to qualify.
Defensive driver course: AARP offers discounts to drivers who complete an approved defensive driver course. Show proof you’ve completed a course to your agent to qualify.
AARP insurance bundling options
AARP claims that policyholders who bundle insurance policies can save up to 5% on their auto insurance and up to 20% on their home, renters, or condo insurance. The insurer offers the following bundling options:
Home and auto bundle: Buying your home and auto insurance with AARP can help you save money. AARP claims drivers will save an average of $507 on auto insurance and $102 on home insurance via bundling. Home insurance is a key way to protect your home in the event of property damage.
Renters and auto bundle: If you rent an apartment or home, you can purchase renters insurance to protect yourself in the event of theft or property damage. Bundling this coverage with your AARP auto insurance could lead to savings.
Condo and auto bundle: If you buy condo insurance and auto insurance with AARP, you can qualify for a bundling discount that lowers your rates on both coverages.
AARP insurance reviews and ratings
AARP receives high marks from trusted third-party evaluators like J.D. Power, A.M. Best, and Moody’s. Unfortunately, AARP insurance reviews paint a slightly more negative picture online. The customer reviews below outline some pros and cons of AARP car insurance.
AARP customer reviews
Some AARP members are displeased with their policy from The Hartford, which earned a 1.07 out of 5 from the BBB and a 1.3 out of 5 on Trustpilot.7 Many reviewers complain about a frustrating customer service experience, including poor communication and unexpected fees:
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Not all the reviews are negative, however. Some customers mention positive experiences with The Hartford, including the following reviewer who praises the company for providing quality customer service and correcting errors promptly:
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AARP’s insurance through The Hartford still receives high scores in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction index. While many reviewers criticize The Hartford, the company has earned the respect of its peers in the insurance industry.
AARP ratings
Consumer intelligence agencies like J.D. Power and A.M. Best help drivers better understand how financially strong a company is and the quality of its customer service. Here’s how some of the largest third-party evaluators rate AARP car insurance through The Hartford:
A.M. Best: A+ (Superior)
J.D. Power: 812 out of 1,000
BBB: A+
S&P: A+
Moody’s: A1
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index: Below-average number of complaints8
AARP vs. other insurance companies
The car insurance market is highly saturated, with many companies meeting different drivers’ needs. AARP’s insurance coverage from The Hartford is a popular midsize option for drivers older than 50.
Here’s how AARP car insurance stacks up against some of the top insurers in the country.
AARP vs. Allstate
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Allstate is the fourth-largest car insurance company in the country by market share. Drivers with Allstate pay an average of $146 per month for liability-only coverage and $212 per month for full coverage. Allstate earned an 889 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study — 20 points higher than The Hartford’s score of 869.9
Young drivers should opt for Allstate over AARP, which doesn’t offer coverage to non-AARP members. Allstate’s smart-student discount rewards students who maintain a GPA over 2.7, complete a safe-driving course, or attend school at least 100 miles from where they keep their car.
AARP vs. GEICO
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GEICO is the third-largest car insurance company in the country by market share. Drivers with GEICO pay an average of $125 per month for liability-only coverage and $178 per month for full coverage. GEICO scored 874 in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, slightly higher than The Hartford’s score of 869.9
Drivers looking for a telematics program might want to choose AARP. Both companies offer a telematics program, though GEICO’s DriveEasy program might lead to higher rates if you engage in dangerous driving habits. Meanwhile, drivers with AARP automatically save when they sign up for the TrueLane program, earning savings of up to 12% at enrollment.
AARP vs. State Farm
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State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the country by market share. Drivers with State Farm pay an average of $125 per month for liability-only coverage and $175 per month for full coverage. State Farm earned an 882 in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study — 13 points higher than The Hartford’s score of 869.9
Drivers who work for rideshare services like Uber or Lyft will want to choose State Farm over AARP. State Farm’s rideshare insurance extends your existing coverage to protect you and your car as you transport passengers. Meanwhile, AARP’s insurance program doesn’t offer any form of rideshare coverage.
How to file an auto insurance claim with AARP
Drivers should always file an auto insurance claim after a covered loss for reimbursement of repair costs and medical bills. AARP offers a 24/7 claims line, making it easy for drivers to file claims online or over the phone.
After an accident, call 1 (800) 243-5860 or visit The Hartford’s website to file a claim.
Speak to your insurance agent, who will ask you to describe the accident, including injuries and damage to your and other vehicles.
Upload any photos of the accident to the online guided tool, which your agent will explain. These will help your claims agent better understand the situation.
Check the status of your claim any time on The Hartford website or mobile app.
AARP insurance FAQs
If you’re shopping for car insurance, this additional information may help as you research your options.
Who owns AARP insurance?
AARP provides car insurance through The Hartford, a midsize national insurance company. The Hartford is a publicly traded insurer, so it’s owned by its shareholders.
Who should get AARP insurance?
AARP insurance is best suited for AARP members. These members can earn exclusive rewards and benefits when they sign up for insurance through AARP. The company’s highly rated claims process is a good match for older drivers who want straightforward service.
Is AARP car insurance worth it?
It depends. AARP’s high customer satisfaction rating from J.D. Power indicates that many drivers are happy with their choice of AARP car insurance.
Is AARP good at paying claims?
Yes. AARP’s insurance program has an A+ (Superior) rating from A.M. Best, which indicates excellent financial strength. Customers shouldn’t worry about AARP’s ability to pay claims.
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