We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. But we may receive compensation when you click links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners.
AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford review
Drivers over 50 enjoy exclusive discounts for their driving experience
finder.com’s rating: 4.0 / 5.0
★★★★★
- Get a quote if you want a policy tailor-made for you.
- Pick something else if you have a poor driving record.
- Senior drivers with an AARP membership will like the many perks.
optional
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
Details
| States served | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Optional |
| Pay schedule | 12 months |
| Claims methods | online, phone |
| New car protection | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
Pros
- Lifetime renewability for AARP members
- Lifetime car repair assurance
- RecoverCare post-accident support
- 24/7 claims hotline
Cons
- Only for drivers over 50
- Mixed customer reviews
| Anti-theft device discount | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bundling discount | Yes |
| Defensive driving discount | Yes |
| Good student discount | Yes |
| Loyalty discount | No |
| Homeowner discount | Yes |
| Military discount | No |
| Safety device discount | Yes |
| Special employment discount | No |
| Usage-based discount | Yes |
| Other discounts | Paid-in-Full Discount. Get a discount when you pay your premiums in a single, lump-sum payment. |
| Rideshare coverage | No |
|---|---|
| SR-22 coverage |
No |
| Temporary & short term coverage | No |
Expert review
Review by
Roslyn McKenna
roslyn.mckenna@finder.comAs an insurance publisher for finder.com, Roslyn McKenna is driven to help people get a great deal on car insurance so they can enjoy the ride. Roslyn has put her Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Communications to good use by covering topics ranging from finance to insurance.
Expert review
While The Hartford’s individual policies might be geared toward older drivers, this provider most likely has a plan that suits your car insurance needs and requirements. If you’re looking for great coverage with a suite of additional benefits like rate protection and post-accident care, The Hartford’s auto insurance might be right for you.
What car insurance coverage can I get from AARP?
You can get all the standard coverage types you’d find from other insurers, if each coverage type is available in your state, including:
- Liability. Helps cover claims from another driver when you’re at fault for a car accident.
- Collision. Helps cover damages to your car if you hit another car or object.
- Comprehensive. Helps pay for damages that aren’t caused by a collision, like fire, flooding, hail, theft or vandalism.
- Personal injury protection. Helps cover medical bills for you and your passengers, regardless of fault.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorists. Helps pay for damage caused by an uninsured or unknown driver, or drivers without enough insurance to cover your repairs or medical bills.
- Roadside assistance. Helps pay for breakdown recovery including towing, labor charges, dead battery, flat tire and gas delivery.
- Rental car reimbursement. Helps pay for the cost of a rental car up to a certain limit after a covered accident.
What extra benefits can I get?
The Hartford offers a number of special programs and purchased add-ons to benefit its members, depending on if this coverage is available in your state or you meet the requirements.
- 12-month rate protection. This means once you sign up for a 12-month policy, you’re guaranteed that rate for the next year.
- Lifetime renewability. As long as you’re licensed to drive and you pay your premiums, you can get coverage for life, meaning you won’t lose your insurance for filing a legitimate claim. Check the conditions to make sure you can qualify.
- First accident forgiveness. When you purchase this add-on or qualify for it after all drivers on your policy keep a clean driving record for five consecutive years, you won’t face rate increases after your first accident.
- New car replacement coverage. If your new car is totaled in the first 15 months or 15,000 miles, whichever is first, you can get a new car with the same make, model and equipment, without factoring in depreciation.
- Full glass coverage. Covers the full cost of replacing your windows and windshield with no deductible.
- Lifetime car repair guarantee. When you make a covered claim and get repairs at an authorized repair shop, the repairs are covered for as long as you own or lease the car.
- RecoverCare post-accident support. If you’re injured in an accident, you can get reimbursed up to $2,500 for help with home services you can’t perform after an accident, including dog walking, mowing the lawn, preparing food and transportation.
- Disappearing deductible. Your collision deductible is reduced for every year you go without an accident.
- Deductible waiver. If you’re not at fault in an accident, your collision deductible will be waived.
- Combined deductible. If you have multiple vehicles or other properties insured on the same policy, you’ll only pay the higher of the two deductibles when making a claim that involves both.
- $100 deductible reduction. If you use an authorized repair shop and you’re not at fault for an accident, your collision deductible will drop by $100.
- AARP member benefits. AARP members can get better rates on auto insurance, discounts with associated companies and more, which can increase the longer you’ve been a member.
What car insurance discounts can I get?
The Hartford’s auto insurance coverage is one of the most affordable options for mature drivers. However, it also offers a variety of discounts to help drive down the price:
- Anti-theft device. Save money on your comprehensive coverage if your car is equipped with anti-theft devices such as alarms and trackers.
- Safety device. Get a discount if your car has factory-installed airbags, with extra savings for having more than one.
- Hybrid. Get an extra discount when you insure a hybrid or electric car.
- Driver training. Drivers under 21 in most states or 25 in Georgia can get a discount for successfully completing an approved training course.
- Good student. Full-time college or high school students between ages 16 and 25 can get a discount for maintaining a B average, 3.0 GPA, placing in the upper 20% of their class, or making the Dean’s List or Honor Roll. You’ll need to send in proof, like a report card, each semester to keep the discount.
- Defensive driver. Get a discount for the next 3 years when you complete an approved defensive driving course and send in your completion certificate.
- Bundling. Combine your home and auto policies and save both policies.
- Paid-in-full. Get a discount when you pay your premiums in a single, lump-sum payment.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Great customer reviews. The Hartford’s website has almost 30,000 customer reviews with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
- Loads of benefits. Policies come with a number of extra features and benefits, even more so for those who are members of AARP.
- 24/7 claims hotline. You’ll have access to customer service at all hours — because problems don’t just come up during the normal workday.
Cons
- Exclusively for drivers age 50+. The Hartford partners with AARP for its individual insurance services, and some of its policy options may not be optimal or even available for younger drivers.
- Not ideal for high-risk drivers. The Hartford’s auto insurance options are geared toward mature and experienced drivers Those with multiple infractions or who are considered high-risk drivers may end up paying more than they need to.
- Limited online access. You can only get a quote online in some states. To get a quote and purchase coverage, you might need to make a phone call or visit an agent.
What do customers say?
The Hartford has an A- independent rating from the BBB and is not accredited, although that doesn’t necessarily reflect badly on the company. BBB accreditation isn’t mandatory, and seeking that accreditation doesn’t suit all businesses.
The Hartford is rated excellent in terms of financial stability, receiving an “A” grade from Standard & Poors and similar marks from other institutions, for an overall BBB composite score of 3.23 out of 5 stars. However, the company received nearly 300 customer complaints, with the majority focused on problems with their products/services and billing/collection issues.
TrustPilot gave a more favorable score of 9.4 out of 10 stars, and 91% of the customers who reviewed The Hartford there gave it an “excellent” rating. Many of the customer reviews praised the insurance company for their great customer service and ability to help them save money.
How to apply
Applying for coverage with The Hartford can be done by phone or in person through an agent. While the company advertises an online quote tool, it rarely works, so your best bet is to speak with an agent. To get a quote, start by calling 1-888-413-8970 to speak with an agent and find out how to move forward. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Name and date of birth
- Residential address
- Contact information including email and phone number
- Vehicle information including daily commuting distance
- Claim and insurance history
- Education history and employment status
Compare car insurance alternatives
How to contact customer support
- Phone: 1-877-896-9320
- Mail: The Hartford, P.O. Box 14219, Lexington, KY 40512
- Fax: 1-877-293-2072
- Online service center at thehartford.com
The Hartford’s cancellation policy
How to make a claim
- Call the 24/7 claims line at 1-877-805-9918
- Start a claim online at The Hartford’s website
Frequently asked questions
Car insurance ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We analyze the best car insurance providers and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you.