How to Get a Good Driver Auto Insurance Discount (2024)

The vast majority of auto insurance companies reward safe drivers with auto insurance discounts. Drivers who have clean driving records have proven that they are less risky to insure, as they are less likely to crash due to bad driving habits and file a claim. Some insurance companies want to see a clean record of a few years to issue a discount, while others want to track drivers’ data.

Continue reading to learn all about how to get a good driver auto insurance discount, as well as other ways to save on your auto insurance policy besides just an insurance discount for good drivers.

Good Driver Discounts Explained

Good driver discounts are a certain percentage taken off your auto insurance policy if you meet the insurance company’s qualifications. Insurance companies offer good driver discounts in a few different ways, which we’ve explained below.

Types of Good Driver Auto Insurance Discounts

There are a few different types of good driver discounts, from discounts for being accident-free or traffic ticket free to discounts for driving less than the average driver. Take a look at the different safe driver discounts below.

• Accident-free discounts: Drivers have to have no claims filed within at least the last three years.
• Defensive driver course discounts: Drivers must complete an approved defensive driving course successfully, either in person or an online defensive driving course, for a defensive driver discount.
• Low-mileage discounts: Drivers need to drive infrequently, usually less than 13,000 or 10,000 miles annually, to qualify for a low-mileage discount.
• Performance-based discounts: Drivers need to participate in a safe driver program that tracks their driving for a few months and then gives a discount based on how well the drivers do.
• Violation-free discounts: Drivers have to have no moving violation traffic tickets or DUIs.

What is offered depends on the company you are with. A company may offer an accident-free discount and a low-mileage discount but not a defensive driver course discount.

How to Qualify for Good Driver Auto Insurance Discounts

Being a good driver will qualify you at most places for a discount, but the exact specifications for qualifying will vary from company to company. A State Farm safe driver discount is going to be different than a Geico safe driver discount or a Progressive safe driver discount. For example, some insurance companies may want you to be accident-free for four years, while others only require a year or two of accident-free driving.

To learn about the programs offered by some of the top companies, visit our State Farm Drive Safe and Save review, our Progressive Snapshot review, and our Geico DriveEasy review.

The best way to see what you need to qualify is to check your insurance company’s list of discounts and see what the qualifications are. Generally, if you have a clean driving record free of DUIs, accidents, and traffic tickets, you should qualify for at least some type of good driver discount at your insurance company.

Benefits of Being a Good Driver

One of the benefits of being a good driver is the lower average rates due to discounts. You can look at the rates below to see good driver rates compared to poor driver rates.

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record From the Best Companies

Having lower rates is just one safe driver bonus. Practicing safe driving habits will also reduce your chances of being in an accident. This means less of a chance of you being injured and having to deal with car repairs and all the other headaches that come after a car accident.

Tips on Driving Safely

Drivers should do a few things to ensure they are driving as safely as possible and keeping their driving skills sharp. The first is to make sure to follow all traffic laws and regulations. This will help drivers avoid traffic tickets or at-fault accidents that will raise their auto insurance rates.

Avoiding distracted driving is also another great way to avoid accidents. Anything that takes your attention off the road, whether it’s fiddling with your Spotify playlist on your phone or eating a sandwich with one hand, should be avoided. All it takes is a few seconds of lapsed concentration on the road to get into a car accident.

Finally, most drivers will benefit from taking a defensive driving course or completing a safe driver program so they can practice defensive driving techniques. Knowing how to brake in icy conditions or how to avoid deer collisions can help drivers avoid accidents.

Other Ways to Save on Auto Insurance

Good driver discounts aren’t the only way to save on auto insurance rates. One of the other ways to reduce your auto insurance rates is to shop around and see if a different company offers you a cheaper rate on your auto insurance policy.

You can also adjust your coverage levels and your deductible levels. If you have an older car, for example, you could carry a lower amount of collision and liability insurance. You can also raise your deductible to lower rates, although, remember, you will have to pay this amount out of pocket after an accident. You can read our article about what is an auto insurance deductible for more information.

Finally, if your insurance company uses credit score as a factor to determine rates, improving your credit score will help you find savings. Drivers with poor credit scores are viewed as more likely to file claims, so most insurance companies reward drivers with good credit scores with a discount.

The Final Word on Good Driver Auto Insurance Discounts

Good driving can help you earn a discount at your insurance company, but it also helps ensure your and your passengers’ safety. Safe drivers are less likely to get into a car accident due to practicing safe driving habits and defensive driving skills.

If you want to try and find a cheaper rate on your auto insurance company, you can use our free quote comparison tool. It will help you find the company with the cheapest rate for your needs and budget.