How To Get a Defensive Driver Auto Insurance Discount (2024)

Drivers who enroll in defensive driving courses are often eligible for savings from their auto insurance companies, which normally range from 5% to 20% off your rates. The four to eight-hour lessons, which often take place over the course of an afternoon or weekend, contain safety information, driving methods, and regional driving rules.

State regulations and your insurer’s policy may affect eligibility, although young drivers and older drivers are typically given discounts. Even if you’re not qualified for a discount, taking a defensive driving course will help you become a better driver and increase your safety while driving.

Defensive Driving Discount: What is it?

Age, driving history, and the type of vehicle a motorist drives are just a few of the many factors that affect your car insurance rates. Depending on your background and current situation, you can be eligible for discounts, like the defensive driving discount.

Several insurance companies give drivers this discount as a reward for passing defensive driving classes. The risk of being in an accident is greatly reduced with this kind of road safety instruction. 

Rules and eligibility conditions for the discount can change, so shop around and compare multiple insurance companies to find the greatest offers.

Does a defensive driving discount affect how much you pay for auto insurance?

Your auto insurance costs may vary based on your requirements and environmental factors. For instance, inexperienced drivers frequently pay more due to the perception that they are riskier than experienced drivers.

Fortunately, there are strategies for reducing auto insurance costs. One of them involves offering auto insurance discounts. You might be eligible for a defensive driving discount if you’ve taken a defensive driving course. Depending on your car insurance company and ZIP code, you could save anywhere from 5% to 20% with this discount.

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How to Earn the Discount in 5 Easy Steps

Creating a defensive driving account is one of the first requirements for being eligible for a defensive driving course insurance discount. You can start by following these steps.

Step 1. Find Auto Insurance Companies With Defensive Driving Discounts

Look for an insurer that offers a discount for safe driving. Not every business provides this deal, so investigate those that do. The best auto insurance provider typically strikes a balance between cost and level of service, so compare quotes and discount options.

Step 2. Look Up State-Approved Courses

There can be a list of approved courses that you can take in some states. You can inquire about this with the DMV in your state or a comparable organization.

Step 3. Take the Training

Select a defensive driving course that is approved by the state and accredited by the insurance provider you have chosen. Depending on your needs, you can enroll in a class in person or online.

Step 4. Pass the Course

Defensive driving training often covers risk awareness, traffic regulations, and defensive driving tactics. Make sure you finish the course and receive a passing grade.

Step 5. Tell Your Auto Insurance Company

You can apply for the discount once you receive certification. Send your insurer the relevant paperwork and information. Await their decision on whether or not you qualify for the discount.

Which auto insurance companies provide discounts for defensive driving?

Drivers who complete defensive driving courses receive discounts from the majority of top auto insurance providers. 

Out of the top 10 insurance providers in America, Geico, AAA, The Hartford, Nationwide, Progressive and Farmers offer discounts for defensive driving courses. 

Learn more about Geico defensive driving course here.

However, the laws of each state differ regarding eligibility and the amount of the discount. To confirm what is offered in your area, check with your state DMV and your insurance agent.

Auto Insurance Companies With Driver's Ed Discounts

Just one of the many discounts and savings chances accessible to insurance customers is the defensive driving discount, so keep that in mind. Comparing quotes for the best deal on auto insurance may be just as helpful as lowering your rates.

Does Liberty Mutual give discounts for defensive driving courses?

Yes, Liberty Mutual provides a discount for defensive driving courses, but only in states where it is required by law. Although specific discount amounts and standards vary, insurance companies must provide qualifying drivers a defensive driving discount in 34 states and the District of Columbia.

Even if Liberty Mutual does not provide a defensive driving discount in your area, you should still consider enrolling in a course. You can better prevent accidents and other ticketable offenses that raise your Liberty Mutual rates. Defensive driving classes may even be able to lower your license’s point total or keep you from receiving a moving violation, depending on your state.

Learn more about other ways the company rewards safe driving, including usage-based insurance options that enable you to save long-term. Liberty Mutual also provides a good driver discount to individuals with a clean driving record. Read Liberty Mutual RightTrack reviews to learn more.

Read more: How to Get a Good Driver Auto Insurance Discount

Defensive Driving Discount Eligibility

A defensive driving course insurance discount may lower your auto insurance rates. However, not all drivers are eligible for this reduction. 

The prerequisites differ depending on the insurance provider but almost always entail attending a defensive driving course. A driver’s discount may vary based on their age and driving experience as well.

Typically, the age brackets that qualify for the discount are those under 25 and those over 60. This is due to the fact that people in these age groups are thought to have the highest chance of being involved in a car accident.

States may also have regulations governing who is eligible for a defensive driving discount. In some circumstances, insurance companies may be forced to give this discount to all drivers, regardless of age.

Different defensive driving programs exist. Each insurer has eligibility guidelines and standards, and some insurance companies may accept only certain courses.

There may be additional eligibility restrictions, depending on the insurance provider. For instance, some businesses might exclude drivers from eligibility if they have recently filed at-fault accident claims or received penalties.

Discount for Defensive Driving: Exclusions and Limitations

You must be at least 18 years old and have completed a defensive driving course to be eligible for the discount. There could be different eligibility requirements depending on the insurance. For instance, you might need to have a spotless driving record for a particular amount of years and shouldn’t have any infractions.

To discuss requirements, such as paying for an unaccredited course, speak with your insurer first.

Driving lessons are also employed as either voluntary or required components of punishments following traffic infractions in numerous states. “Traffic school” or “remedial driving classes” are other names for this. 

For instance, once you commit a serious traffic infringement, the judge might order you to finish a defensive driving course. Alternatively, you might be able to enroll in a course to reduce the number of points on your license. 

Most of the time, court-mandated seminars for drivers with a history of moving violations differ from those intended to lower insurance costs. Many insurers also require a spotless driving record for a driver training discount. So, if the court orders traffic school, you could have to wait to qualify for an insurance discount until your violation is expunged from your record.

You may receive a three-point credit for completing the fundamental driving safety course at the DMV’s discretion, which can help keep your driving record spotless in the event of subsequent infractions.

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Discount Fundamentals: Driving Safety Course

You can reduce your insurance costs without reducing your coverage by taking a defensive driving course. Each company has different qualifying criteria and discount rates.

• You may receive a 5%–20% discount on your insurance after completing a defensive driving course.
• The average length of a defensive driving course is six to eight hours. Longer training can last 10–12 hours, while shorter sessions last three-four hours.
• Age, locality, and the kind of course taken all play a part in determining eligibility for a defensive driving discount. 

There are some things to anticipate, even though defensive driving courses may differ depending on the service provider. For instance, a course might cover topics like perceptions of risk on the road, traffic conditions, and safe driving practices.

What happens during a defensive driving course?

A defensive driving course normally lasts four to eight hours and explains safe driving practices using written materials, films, quizzes, and other teaching techniques. Shorter courses can be completed in three to four hours, while some classes offer longer lessons of 10 to 12 hours.

 

If you decide to take a defensive driving course in person, you will sit in a classroom with a live teacher. The course may also include some driving. In-person training can be ideal for you if you prefer to be able to ask questions and have a more practical educational experience.

The entire experience of taking an online defensive driving course will be virtual, but that doesn’t mean you should slack up. The majority of online defensive driving courses have questions that you must respond to in order to move on to the subsequent section. Still, they aren’t always about defensive driving techniques.

To demonstrate that you’ve been paying attention, be prepared to know the presenter’s name or the color of the car that was featured in the previous video.

The Bottom Line on Getting a Defensive Driving Insurance Discount

You can lower your chance of an accident by taking a defensive driving course to help you drive safely. Additionally, finishing a course with a passing grade can qualify you for a defensive driving discount. This could range from 5% to 20%, depending on the auto insurance company and insurance laws in your state.

The top insurance companies offer defensive driving discounts, including Geico and Nationwide. If you want to find affordable auto insurance and discounts, start comparing quotes from these and other popular companies near you with our free comparison tool below. 

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