AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford Review
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Hartford Insurance offers home and auto insurance for individuals aged 50 and above.
8/10
Cost
7/10
Features
8/10
Ease of use
6/10
Services
8/10
The AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford distinguishes itself in the competitive insurance market with The Hartford's legacy dating back to 1810 and the AARP program operating for 40 years. Simply referred to as The Hartford, it is recognized for offering a wide range of insurance products, including auto, homeowners, and business coverage, The Hartford serves a diverse clientele. With a focus on the experiences of policyholders and an analysis of The Hartford's claims process, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision about your insurance needs.
In this article
What is the AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford?
The Hartford's auto and home insurance products are specialized for people 50 and older through a partnership with AARP. It is the only nationally endorsed direct auto and home insurance program for the retirement group’s nearly 38 million members.
The Hartford was founded in 1810. It is headquartered in, of course, Hartford, Conn. Three fun facts about The Hartford:
- It provided insurance for the only home Abraham Lincoln ever owned.
- Babe Ruth bought a policy from The Hartford in 1920 to protect against disability.
- The Hartford bonded the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, which opened in 1937.
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How does the AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford work?
Requesting a quote from The Hartford for an insurance policy is easy. On its website, you enter your Zip code. You then click the “Start Quote” button in the box near the top of the screen.
Its quick and easy online quoting application for basic information about you, depending on the type of insurance you want. It may ask for such information as your:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Marital status
- Type of vehicle
- If you own your home or rent
- Driver information
- Property details
- Home insurance history
When done, if you are eligible, you’ll either be given an online quote immediately and/or emailed a quote for a policy. You can then choose if you want to purchase it.
A phone number is listed at the top of each page to call for help.
How much does the AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford cost?
Getting a price quote on your coverage options is free. But that probably isn’t your main question about how much The Hartford costs.
Auto insurance prices
The AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford prices vary based on many factors. Along with your age, which must be at least 50 for an auto insurance policy, factors that can affect the price of an auto policy include:
- Where you live
- Marital status
- Credit score
- Car’s year, make, and model
- Vehicle use
- Claims and insurance history
- Driving record
Car insurance prices also depend on how much coverage you need and want, and what types of coverage you select. Living in one state may require having more insurance than in another one.
There isn’t one-size-fits-all car insurance. Your needs are unique to you, and many insurers calculate rates differently.
As a point of reference, drivers in the United States spend an average of around $1,539 per year on auto insurance, according to U.S. News and World Report, putting the monthly cost at $128.25.
The Hartford features
There are many popular and unique features that The Hartford offers. Here are some of them, broken down by auto insurance policies. Some features are not available in all states.
Auto insurance features
New car replacement
If you total your new car within the first 15 months or 15,000 miles after you buy it, whichever comes first, your auto insurance policy will help you replace it. The car will be replaced with a new vehicle of the same make, model, and equipment. There will be no deduction for depreciation.
RecoverCare
A benefit called RecoverCare provides up to $2,500 to pay for transportation, cooking, cleaning, and other help you may need if you’re injured in a car accident.
One deductible
If you have to file a claim for the loss of two of your insured vehicles, you’ll pay only one deductible. The higher deductible must be paid for the covered damages to the vehicles. This also applies to home and auto insurance if one event causes damage to both your home and your vehicle.
Disappearing deductible
Your collision deductible in most states could drop to $0 yearly if you maintain a clean driving record.
Umbrella insurance
The Hartford also sells umbrella insurance for people with high assets that exceed the limits of their auto insurance policy. It protects against certain liability claims and lawsuits if you don’t have enough coverage elsewhere.
For example, umbrella insurance can provide extra bodily injury liability coverage to cover another person’s medical bills. If someone is hurt on your property, this coverage protects you once your liability limit has been reached.
Save $1,604 (or more) per year on car insurance today.
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- State minimum coverage
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Who is AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford best for?
Age 50 and older
Anyone 50 and older who is a member of AARP will benefit the most from an insurance policy from The Hartford. If you are not an AARP member, The Hartford can sign you up.
Retirees
Retirees get discounts from The Hartford if their spouse works less than 24 hours per week.
Who shouldn’t use the AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford?
You file claims often
Insurance premiums can generally be kept low if you don’t file claims often. While insurance claims should be filed when needed, it’s worth weighing the amount you’ll get paid vs. your deductible and the possible impact on future premiums.
The Hartford drops the auto collision deductible to $0 in most states if a clean driving record is maintained. It also won’t raise a policyholder’s rates after their first accident if they’ve had a clean driving record for the past five years.
Pros and cons
Pros
High customer satisfaction
The Hartford has received high customer satisfaction ratings from several organizations. A 2022 ranking by J.D. Power of auto insurance companies ranked The Hartford highest among mid-size auto insurance carriers when searching for auto insurance. It received a score of 889 on a 1,000-point scale.
In a measure of financial strength, The Hartford has a superior A+ financial rating from A.M. Best.
Many options
The AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford offers insurance policies for a variety of vehicle types, including:
- Commercial cars
- Snowmobiles
- ATVs
- Golf carts
Cons
Some benefits don’t apply to young customers
Because The Hartford works with AARP and is targeted at consumers 50 and older, some of its insurance policies' benefits don’t apply to younger people.
The Hartford vs. competitors
Insurer | J.D. Power ratings | A.M. Best ratings | Multiple discounts |
The Hartford | 4.1/5 | A+ | Yes |
GEICO | 3/5 | A++ | Yes |
Allstate | 3/5 | A+ | Yes |
The Hartford vs. Allstate
The Hartford ranks higher than Allstate in customer service, which may be all you need to know if you ever have to file an insurance claim.
Allstate also has accident forgiveness and won’t raise premiums after one accident, even if it’s your fault.
Allstate offers teen driver discounts, which The Hartford doesn’t do. However, The Hartford caters to older drivers, who can benefit from being at least 50.
The Hartford vs. GEICO
GEICO is known for low rates and may be the cheapest insurance you’ll find for your home or car.
Insurance from The Hartford may not be as low, but the perks that 50 and older customers get may make up for it.
FAQs
How can I lower my premiums?
Once you get a price quote from The Hartford, it offers many discounts. The first is to be a member of AARP, which should get you an automatic 10% discount. After that, some discounts are ones you’ll see at other insurers, and some are unique. They include discounts for:
- AARP Driver Safety Program graduate
- Multiple policies
- Safe driving history
- Good credit score
Do I have to be 50 to be a customer?
Yes; the primary individual on the policy must be 50 or older.
Save $1,604 (or more) per year on car insurance today.
- 2-minute quote
- State minimum coverage
- Full coverage
- Explore top brands
The bottom line
The Hartford has existed since 1810 and is likely to continue for many years to come.
For Americans aged 50 and up, The Hartford offers unique discounts and benefits that can help older customers.
For retirees who may have more assets than their auto insurance provides, The Hartford provides umbrella insurance to meet that gap. This could be needed if you have a lot of investments, a healthy retirement fund, an expensive house, and other assets that could be lost in a lawsuit if someone was injured on your property or by your car.
With all the discounts and benefits for older policyholders, The Hartford may be all you need in an insurance company.
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Writer
Aaron Crowe is a freelance journalist who specializes in personal finance writing and editing. He has worked at newspapers, where he won a Pulitzer Prize, and has written for numerous online publications. These include AOL, US News & World Report, WiseBread, Bankrate, AARP, and many websites focusing on housing, credit and insurance. He lives in California with his wife and daughter.
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