Should we keep car insurance for an elderly driver?

My mom owns a car, which is insured through Allstate (which costs $300 a month), but she has finally agreed to give up her driver’s license at 99! If she isn’t driving anymore but wants her daily aide (or others) to use the car, should she keep the insurance? The aide has her own car and her own insurance — would that cover her if she drives Mom’s car?

With Allstate, as with most insurers, the key thing to remember is that insurance follows the car, not the driver. That means if your mom’s aide (or anyone else) drives her car with permission, your mom’s Allstate policy would provide the primary coverage in an accident. The aide’s personal insurance on her own car wouldn’t cover damage to your mom’s vehicle.

I don't recommend canceling coverage if anyone else will be driving her car. Without insurance, your mom could be personally responsible for damages, and in most states, it’s illegal to keep a registered vehicle uninsured. If the cost feels high, reach out to her Allstate agent — things like raising deductibles, removing extras, or checking for any discounts she qualifies for. If you're handling this for her, you can always give our in-house agents a call to discuss it with them and compare rates from other companies, too.

What if no one drives it? If the car is just going to sit unused, your mom could ask about switching to comprehensive-only coverage (sometimes called “storage coverage”). That would still protect it against risks like theft or weather damage but would usually cost less than a full policy. If she no longer plans to keep the car at all, selling or transferring it may be the most cost-effective choice.

Florida note: Florida is a no-fault state, which means your mom’s Allstate policy would help cover medical expenses for the driver of her car through PIP, regardless of who caused the accident. But liability still applies if others are hurt or property is damaged, and Florida law can sometimes hold the vehicle owner responsible. That’s why keeping active coverage (or properly surrendering the registration if the car won’t be used) is especially important in Florida.