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AARP Auto Insurance: Money Saver?

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New York - Many seniors on a fixed income are looking to save any way possible. A commercial for auto insurance through AARP claims it can save you money and give you benefits you'll rarely find anywhere else. Consumer Reports' Money Adviser took a look to see if getting car insurance through AARP is a good deal for members.

Using four different driver profiles, Consumer Reports got rate quotes from AARP and compared them with quotes from other insurers. It turns out that AARP saved money in just one out of the four cases. In all the other cases, Consumer Reports got a lower quote from a competitor.

Consumer Reports' profile of a hypothetical 64-year-old man with a spotless driving record got a rate quote from AARP of $908. But Amica Mutual quoted $660-a savings of $248.

In another instance, AARP offered a rate of $2,059 while Geico's quote was $1,330. The savings there? $729!

AARP auto insurance does offer some nice benefits, like 12-month rate protection instead of the typical 6 months. But to make sure you're getting the best rate, you have to do the legwork and compare rates between different companies. One way to make that legwork easier is to use a Web site, such as INSWeb.com or e-surance.com, that compiles several different rates for you. That can help you stay in the driver's seat when it comes to savings.

When you're shopping around for car insurance, Consumer Reports says in addition to AARP, it's a good idea to check policies offered by other groups you belong to. For example, the USAA for military families, as well as unions and trade groups, are all possibilities for a good insurance rate.

(Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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