The conversation about driving at an older age is tricky. No one wants to feel like they’re giving up their independence, nor do we want to be a potential burden to others. However, it’s difficult for some people to admit their increased risks when they get behind the wheel.
Keeping healthy both mentally and physically can help drivers stay in control of their vehicles. Leveraging resources like defensive driving courses or telematics programs can help reward good drivers with discounts, like the USAA SafePilot® discount. See note 1 It can also provide more information and data on how you are driving, which can help your decision-making.
When the conversation turns from, “Can I drive?” to “Should I drive?” using resources like rideshare or delivery services can support mature driver’s needs. Reducing time behind the wheel can also reduce the potential financial impact that an accident can have.
Whether you are checking up on your own driving fitness or you’re trying to navigate this tough conversation with your aging parents, here are some helpful tips and topics to discuss.
Keep your mind alert and your body fit.
Stay engaged in physical and mental activities.
Driving is as much physical as it is mental, so everyday tasks like reading books or grocery shopping can help you stay sharp. Introducing different activities into your life, like learning to play the piano or a new style of cooking, also may be helpful.
Get regular physicals.
Exams should include vision, hearing and cognitive tests. A medical professional can evaluate you to see if you have any age-related issues that could increase your risk of an accident. They include:
Pupil reaction time
Discuss necessary changes in your prescriptions and driving habits when it becomes hard to read signs clearly, especially at night.
Joint pain or loss of strength
Consider other ways to get around if you're having difficulty steering, using vehicle controls or safely changing lanes.
Trouble processing information
Be cautious at intersections, where failing to stop or yield to other vehicles, motorcycles and pedestrians frequently causes accidents. Change your driving habits, like limiting it to daytime, or stop driving altogether when you're unable to recognize traffic signals and respond to other's actions, particularly in unfamiliar areas.
Hearing loss
Use a hearing aid if necessary to help you hear sirens and horns. Keep your radio volume low to avoid distraction. If it becomes impossible to hear road noise or it's leaving you feeling anxious, you may want to find other transportation.
Medication side effects
Know the side effects of your medications and ask your physician if it's safe to drive while taking them.
Know the requirements in your state.
Several states require older drivers or senior drivers to retest when they get their license renewed. Check your state's department of motor vehicles for more information.
Assess if driving at an older age is needed and worth it.
Auto insurance costs can go up as you age because seniors have higher fatal crash rates than all other age groups except young drivers, according to the Insurance Information InstituteOpens in New Window. See note 2 In 2021, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, showed drivers over the age of 65 represented about 17% of the U.S. population; however, they were involved in 19% of all fatal crashes.
On average, the American driving population is getting older. The number of Americans age 65 and older increased 35% faster than the total U.S. population growth. By 2030, the NHTSA projects that this age group will grow to more than 73 million, or about 21% of the population.
If you feel like your ability to drive safely is limited or diminishing, it may be beneficial to consider not driving. The potential physical and financial risks can be considerable. An at-fault accident could result in physical harm to yourself and others, as well as possibly substantial liability costs.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, accident frequency and auto insurance claims lessened from 2018 through 2022, but the severity or claims costs have increased substantially. For all liability claims in 2023, the total incurred losses grew to $125.7 million up from $96 million in 2019. Property damage claims grew to $95 million, up from $62.6 million in 2019.
Driving technology and safety features may be contributing to fewer accidents, but accidents are becoming more expensive. Consider what driving at an older age may mean to your or loved one’s overall financial picture.
Align your driving habits, ability and needs.
Drive during lower traffic times.
Try to avoid driving during high traffic times. Try to schedule appointments or plans around times when traffic is lower.
Consider vehicles that are easier to steer and park.
Driving an oversized vehicle like a large SUV or a car that has more power than you can comfortably control may be difficult. Consider vehicles that offer ease of steering and clear visibility for parking.
According to research from the Highway Loss Data Institute, older drivers have a higher frequency of auto claims from backing into objects than other age groups. Use parking sensors or cameras appropriately to avoid doing damage to your vehicle or other people and property.
Check your vehicle’s safety features.
Lane assist systems, sensors and cameras have become common standard equipment on many vehicles today. More technology and information for the driver can help prevent accidents. Be familiar with the safety technology and systems within your vehicle and know how to use those features to reduce driving risks.
A safer vehicle may get you a better insurance premium. And using assistive devices like automatic emergency braking systems, or AEB, and object proximity sensors can help you drive with more comfort, confidence and safety.
Consider using driving and delivery services.
Rideshare services for medical appointments
Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans cover transportation for emergency or medically needed services. Some Medicare Advantage plans may include benefits for rideshare programs like Uber or Lyft to and from doctor appointments.
Grocery delivery services
Having groceries and other household necessities delivered can help you avoid the hassle of navigating a busy parking lot. Delivery services like Instacart or UberEats may have specific numbers or websites just for seniors.
Prescriptions drugs shipped to your home
National pharmacies like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart and even Amazon offer delivery services for prescriptions drugs. Most of these pharmacies offer same-day delivery, with some restrictions.
Review your insurance policies.
Auto insurance
Contact USAA or your insurance company to make sure your auto coverage is appropriate for your current stage of life. Consider the following:
- If your vehicle is older and its value is depreciated, consider adjusting your physical damage coverage to save money.
- If you aren’t a frequent driver and have a healthy emergency savings fund, adjusting your deductible to a higher amount can reduce your auto insurance premiums.
- Review the actual miles that you have driven in recent years and forecast what you may drive going forward. It may be beneficial to update your policy if there is a significant change in the amount of time you’re on the road.
- Every year you should review your auto insurance coverage.
Check on available auto insurance discounts.
Many insurance companies offer discounts for having low annual mileage or taking a defensive driving course. Contact USAA to ask about our discounts.
Umbrella coverage
Check for gaps in coverage to make sure that you are protecting your property and your overall wealth. Without appropriate coverage, you may have more financial risk than you want. You should carry liability coverage at least equal to your net worth.
You may have some legal protections in place for some of your assets, like retirement plans and your primary residence, but you may still have financial exposure if your overall worth exceeds your liability coverage limit on your insurance policies. Depending on your personal financial situation, you may want to consider an umbrella policy.
Insuring your vehicle
Auto insurance is more than just a bill. Learn
about safety features, driver distractions and more.