AARP Insurance is sold by partner companies, not by AARP itself

AARP does not underwrite or sell insurance directly. Instead, AARP licenses its name to insurance companies — primarily UnitedHealthcare for health coverage and other carriers for auto, home, and life policies — who then market those products to AARP members. You buy the actual policy from the insurance company, not from AARP. AARP receives a commission when you purchase, which funds the organization's work.

This matters because it changes who you call with a claim, who handles your coverage, and where your policy documents live. It also means AARP membership is not required to buy these policies, though members often receive discounts that non-members do not.

The products available through AARP's partnerships include health insurance (Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans), auto and home insurance, life insurance, and long-term care insurance. Not all products are available in every state, and the specific plans and carriers vary by location.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP-branded insurance is sold by partner companies like UnitedHealthcare, not by AARP itself, so your policy and claims go through the insurance company.
  • AARP members typically receive discounts on these policies, but membership is not required to purchase them.
  • The main products are Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans, auto insurance, home insurance, life insurance, and long-term care insurance.
  • Coverage details, costs, and availability vary significantly by state and by the specific insurance carrier involved.
  • You can compare AARP-branded plans against other carriers' plans using the same tools — AARP branding does not mean the coverage is better or worse than alternatives.

Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans through AARP

AARP's health insurance offerings are primarily Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans sold by UnitedHealthcare. Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and typically include prescription drug coverage, dental, and vision in a single plan. Medigap plans are supplements that work alongside Original Medicare to cover costs that Medicare does not pay.

Which type makes sense depends on your health, your doctors, and how much out-of-pocket cost you can absorb. Medicare Advantage plans have networks (you usually pay more to see out-of-network doctors), while Medigap plans work with any doctor who accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans cap your annual out-of-pocket costs; Medigap plans do not, but they tend to have higher monthly premiums.

You can enroll in AARP Medicare plans during the annual Medicare open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7 each year) or during your initial enrollment window when you first turn 65 or become may be able to access for Medicare. Outside these windows, you can only change plans if you have a may have access to life event — such as moving out of state, losing other coverage, or becoming newly may be able to access.

Auto and home insurance through AARP partners

AARP-branded auto and home insurance is underwritten by The Hartford and other regional carriers depending on your state. These policies work the same way as any other auto or home insurance — you pay a premium, and the carrier covers damage or liability if you have a claim. AARP members typically receive a discount (often 10 to 25 percent, though this varies by state and by the specific coverage you choose).

The advantage of shopping through AARP is that the discount is already built in and you can compare multiple coverage levels in one place. The disadvantage is that you are limited to the carriers AARP has partnered with in your state. If you want to compare against other insurers — State Farm, Geico, Progressive, or local carriers — you will need to get quotes separately.

Like any auto or home policy, what you pay depends on your age, driving record, home value, location, and the deductible and coverage limits you choose. There is no single "AARP rate" — two people of the same age in the same town will pay different amounts based on their individual risk profile.

Life insurance and long-term care insurance

AARP offers term life insurance (coverage for a set number of years) and whole life insurance (permanent coverage with a cash value component) through partner carriers. These policies are underwritten based on your age and health, so the cost rises as you age. You do not need to be an AARP member to purchase, but members may receive discounts or simplified underwriting (meaning fewer health questions).

Long-term care insurance through AARP covers the cost of nursing home care, assisted living, or in-home care if you need help with daily activities. These policies are expensive and the cost depends heavily on your age when you buy, your health, and how much daily benefit you want the policy to pay. Long-term care insurance is a complex product — the policy language matters a great deal, and comparing two policies requires reading the details, not just the price.

Both life and long-term care insurance require underwriting, which means the insurance company will ask health questions and may require a medical exam. If you are declined or offered a policy at a much higher rate, you have the right to know why and to request a review of the decision.

How to compare AARP insurance against other carriers

AARP insurance is not inherently better or worse than the same type of coverage from other companies — the brand name does not determine the quality of the policy or the claims process. To compare fairly, you need to look at the same details across all options: the monthly premium, the deductible, the coverage limits, what is included and excluded, and the financial strength rating of the insurance company.

For Medicare plans, use Medicare.gov's plan comparison tool, which shows all available plans in your area side by side — both AARP-branded and others. You can filter by premium, coverage, and network. For auto and home insurance, get quotes from at least three carriers, including AARP's partner in your state and at least two others. For life and long-term care insurance, compare the actual policy documents, not just the price, because the terms vary widely.

AARP's website includes links to its insurance partners and some comparison tools, but the most neutral comparison tools are those run by Medicare (for health plans) and independent insurance brokers or comparison sites (for auto, home, and life). If you work with an insurance broker, they can often get quotes from multiple carriers at once, which saves time.

What happens if you have a claim or complaint

When you file a claim, you work with the insurance company that issued your policy, not with AARP. If you have a Medicare claim, you contact UnitedHealthcare. If you have an auto claim, you contact The Hartford or whichever carrier underwrites your policy. AARP does not process claims or handle customer service for these policies.

If you have a complaint about how your claim was handled or about the coverage itself, you can file a complaint with the insurance company first. If the company does not resolve it to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with your state's Department of Insurance (the name varies by state — it may be called the Insurance Commissioner's Office or the Division of Insurance). Your state's insurance regulator has the authority to investigate and can impose penalties if the company violated state law.

You can also contact AARP's member services to report problems with AARP-branded products, though AARP cannot override the insurance company's decision. AARP can sometimes escalate complaints or help you understand your options, but the insurance company makes the final call on coverage and claims.

AARP membership and insurance discounts

AARP membership costs $16 per year and is required to receive the member discount on AARP-branded insurance products. However, you do not need to be an AARP member to buy these policies — non-members can purchase them at the standard (non-discounted) rate. The discount varies by product and by state, but it is often substantial enough that the membership fee pays for itself if you buy even one policy.

AARP membership also includes other benefits — access to AARP's website resources, discounts at some retailers and restaurants, and access to AARP's advocacy work on aging-related issues. Whether membership makes sense depends on whether you plan to use those other benefits as well as the insurance discount.

If you are already an AARP member for other reasons, the insurance discounts are an added benefit. If you are considering membership primarily for the insurance discount, calculate whether the discount on the specific policies you want exceeds the $16 annual membership fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Non-members can purchase AARP-branded insurance at the standard rate. AARP members receive a discount, which is often 10 to 25 percent depending on the product and state. Whether the discount justifies the $16 annual membership fee depends on which policies you are buying.

What is the difference between AARP Medicare Advantage and AARP Medigap?

Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare that includes prescription drugs, dental, and vision in one plan, with a network of doctors. Medigap is a supplement that works with Original Medicare to cover costs Medicare does not pay. Advantage plans have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs; Medigap plans have higher premiums but more flexibility in choosing doctors.

Can I switch AARP insurance plans anytime?

For Medicare plans, you can change during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) or if you have a may have access to life event. For auto, home, and life insurance, you can cancel and switch anytime, though some policies have cancellation fees. Check your specific policy for details.

What do I do if I have a problem with my AARP insurance claim?

Contact the insurance company that issued your policy — not AARP. If the company does not resolve it, file a complaint with your state's Department of Insurance. You can also contact AARP member services, though they cannot override the insurance company's decision.

Is AARP insurance cheaper than other insurance companies?

Not necessarily. AARP-branded policies are sold by partner companies like UnitedHealthcare and The Hartford, and the price depends on your individual risk profile, not the brand. Compare quotes from multiple carriers to find the best rate for your situation.