What AARP home and auto insurance actually is

AARP home and auto insurance is not sold directly by AARP. AARP endorses insurance products underwritten by third-party companies — The Hartford for auto and homeowners policies, and other carriers for renters and condo coverage. When you buy through AARP, you are buying from these insurers, not from AARP itself. AARP receives a commission on each policy sold.

The policies themselves follow standard insurance terms and conditions. What differs is that AARP members may see discounts not available to the general public, and the underwriting company has agreed to meet AARP's standards for customer service and claims handling. You can also buy the same coverage directly from The Hartford or other carriers without going through AARP — the insurance product is identical, but the price and available discounts may differ.

AARP membership is not required to buy these policies, though most discounts are reserved for members. The membership requirement and the discount amounts vary by state and by the specific coverage you are looking at.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP-endorsed home and auto insurance is underwritten by The Hartford and other carriers, not by AARP itself, and AARP receives a commission on each sale.
  • You can buy identical policies directly from the insurance company without AARP involvement, but member discounts are usually only available through AARP.
  • Discounts vary by state and by coverage type, and some require AARP membership while others do not.
  • Claims go directly to the insurance company, not to AARP, and you work with that company's adjusters and customer service.
  • You should compare quotes from AARP, from the insurance company directly, and from other insurers before buying, because the lowest price is not always through AARP.

How discounts work and what they actually save

AARP advertises discounts for bundling home and auto, for safety features on your car, for completing a defensive driving course, and for being claim-free. The size of each discount varies by state, by your age, by your driving record, and by the specific coverage you choose. AARP does not publish a standard discount amount because there is no standard amount — a 15% bundle discount in one state may be 10% in another, or may not be available at all.

The only way to know what you will actually pay is to request a quote. You will need your driver's license, vehicle information, home address, and details about your current coverage (if you have it). The quote process takes 10 to 15 minutes online or by phone. You should get quotes from at least one other major insurer — State Farm, Geico, Progressive, or your current provider — to see whether AARP's price is genuinely lower after discounts are applied.

Some discounts require proof: a defensive driving certificate, a list of safety features on your vehicle, or documentation that you have not filed a claim in a set period. Ask the agent which discounts you may have access to for before you commit, and ask what documents you will need to provide to lock in that price.

What home coverage includes and what it does not

AARP homeowners insurance through The Hartford covers the structure of your home (walls, roof, built-in fixtures), your personal belongings inside the home, liability if someone is injured on your property, and additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable after a covered loss. Standard policies do not cover flood, earthquake, or wear and tear — those require separate policies or riders.

The amount of coverage you choose matters enormously. Your policy will state a limit for the structure itself (often called the dwelling limit) and separate limits for personal property and liability. If your home is damaged and the repair cost exceeds your dwelling limit, you pay the difference. If a guest is injured and sues you for more than your liability limit, you may be personally responsible for the excess.

You choose your deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. A higher deductible (say, $2,500 instead of $500) lowers your premium but means you pay more when you file a claim. The Hartford and other insurers can tell you how much your premium changes for each deductible option.

What auto coverage includes and what it does not

AARP auto insurance through The Hartford includes liability (covering damage you cause to someone else's car or property), collision (covering damage to your own car from a crash), comprehensive (covering theft, weather, and other non-collision damage), and uninsured motorist coverage (protecting you if hit by someone without insurance). Most states require liability; collision and comprehensive are optional but are usually required by lenders if you have a car loan.

Like homeowners coverage, you choose your deductible for collision and comprehensive. Liability coverage has a limit per person and a limit per accident — a common choice is 100/300/100, meaning $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 for property damage. Higher limits cost more but protect you better if you cause a serious accident.

Auto insurance does not cover maintenance, wear and tear, or damage from normal use. It also does not cover damage to your car from your own intentional acts. Rental car reimbursement and roadside information are optional add-ons that increase your premium.

How to file a claim and what to expect

If you have a loss — a car accident, a break-in, a fire — you report it directly to The Hartford or whichever carrier underwrites your policy. You do not contact AARP. You can file a claim online, by phone, or through a mobile app. Have your policy number, a description of what happened, and photos if possible.

The insurance company will assign an adjuster to your claim. For auto claims, the adjuster may inspect your vehicle or direct you to a repair shop. For home claims, the adjuster will visit your property to assess damage. The adjuster's job is to determine whether the loss is covered under your policy and, if so, how much the company will pay.

Most claims are resolved within two to four weeks, though complex claims can take longer. The company will either pay you directly, pay the repair shop, or pay your lender if you have a mortgage or car loan. If you disagree with the adjuster's assessment, you can request a second opinion or file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner.

When AARP insurance makes sense and when it does not

AARP insurance is worth considering if you are an AARP member, if you bundle home and auto (which usually triggers the largest discount), and if you have a clean driving record and no recent claims. It is also a reasonable choice if you value customer service and want to work with a company that has agreed to AARP's service standards.

AARP insurance may not be the best choice if you have a poor driving record or recent accidents, because discounts will be smaller and your base rate may be higher. It also may not be cheapest if you live in a state where The Hartford does not offer competitive rates, or if you need specialized coverage (such as high-value home coverage or coverage for a teen driver) that another insurer handles better.

The only way to know is to compare. Get a quote from AARP, get a quote directly from The Hartford, and get quotes from two or three other major insurers. Look at the total premium after all discounts, not just the advertised discount percentage. Buy from whichever company offers the coverage you need at the price you can afford.

How to get a quote and what information you will need

You can request a quote online at aarp.org/insurance or by calling AARP's insurance line. You will need your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN) for each car you want to insure, your home address, and information about your current coverage if you have it. If you are insuring a home, you will also need the year it was built, the square footage, and the type of construction.

The online quote tool will ask about your driving history, any accidents or violations in the past three to five years, and any claims you have filed. Answer honestly — insurers verify this information, and lying on an process can void your coverage later. The quote process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

After you receive a quote, you can ask questions about specific discounts, request changes to coverage limits, or ask about payment options. Most insurers offer monthly, quarterly, or annual billing. You are not obligated to buy after getting a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an AARP member to buy AARP insurance?

No, but most discounts are only for members. Some states allow non-members to buy at the standard rate, while others require membership to get any discount at all. Ask during the quote process whether you need to join AARP to get the price being quoted.

Can I switch to AARP insurance if I already have coverage with another company?

Yes. You can buy a new policy with AARP and let your old policy lapse on the same day, or you can overlap them for a few days to may support no gap in coverage. Most insurers will not refund unused premiums, so timing the switch to coincide with your renewal date saves money.

What happens if I get a ticket or have an accident after I buy AARP insurance?

Your rates may increase at your next renewal. The Hartford will review your driving record and adjust your premium based on the new information. Some accidents and violations have a bigger impact on rates than others. You can ask your agent how a specific incident will affect your premium before it happens.

Is AARP insurance more expensive than other insurance companies?

Not necessarily. AARP's price depends on your age, location, driving record, home characteristics, and the coverage you choose. For some people, AARP is cheapest; for others, a different company is. This is why comparing quotes matters — there is no single answer.

What if I want to cancel my AARP insurance policy?

You can cancel anytime by contacting The Hartford directly. Most policies have no cancellation penalty. If you have paid for coverage in advance, the company will refund the unused portion. Give at least 10 days' notice to avoid a gap in coverage if you are switching to another insurer.