How To Get a Non-Smoker & Non-Drinker Auto Insurance Discount (2024)

It’s common knowledge that smoking and drinking in excess can be hazardous to your health. So, there are plenty of reasons to quit even before you start thinking about insurance. However, you can save money on insurance when you decide to quit smoking and drinking. 

Non-smoker and non-drinker discounts are expected when it comes to health insurance, but did you know some auto insurance companies also offer this discount? It may not be one of the most common car insurance discounts, but some insurers do include it as an option.

Here’s what you need to know about non-smoker and non-drinker discounts and how to qualify.

Why Some Insurance Companies Offer a Non-smoker Non-drinker Discount

Several different factors affect auto insurance rates, including driving history, age, and the vehicle itself. These factors combine to give the insurance company an idea of how much risk a driver presents. Two behaviors that can potentially result in dangerous driving conditions are smoking and drinking.

It’s illegal to drive drunk because alcohol can cause impaired judgment. It’s very difficult to get cheap car insurance after a DUI. Conversely, if you don’t drink at all, there is no risk of making a poor decision while getting behind the wheel impaired. This makes you a less risky driver to the insurance company.

When it comes to smoking, the biggest risk is distracted driving. Many smokers like to do so while driving, which poses a risk. It only takes a moment of taking your eyes off the road to cause an accident. For a smoker, this could occur while taking out and lighting a cigarette.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, distracted driving is the culprit in 8% of fatal car crashes, so it makes sense for some insurance companies to give non-smoking discounts. 

How do I get non-smoker or non-drinker discounts?

No major national insurance companies like Geico, State Farm, or Progressive offer this discount. You’ll need to shop around with smaller local insurers to get a non-smoker or a non-drinker discount on auto insurance.

Also, keep in mind that insurance companies often don’t have every single discount they offer listed on their homepage. Before signing up for a policy, it’s not a bad idea to call or use an online chat to ask an agent about any additional discounts. It’s possible that a non-drinker and non-smoker discount is offered but isn’t listed with the company’s more common discounts.

However, discounts shouldn’t be the only reason for choosing an insurance policy. Insurance companies offer discounts for a variety of reasons, so you’ll want to compare quotes to get the best rates possible. 

Even if you find a company that offers a non-smoker and non-drinker discount, this is only likely to save 1% to 3% on your rates. This is a good start, but it’s important to look at all the other discounts a company offers to see if it is the right insurance company for you.

Non-drinker and Non-smoker Discounts Are Just One Way to Save

Some insurance companies may offer non-drinker and non-smoker discounts, but you won’t find these discounts with major national insurers. Although, if you use a smaller regional company, or possibly a lesser-known national insurer, you may find that you can get a discount smokers and drinkers can’t get. 

This shouldn’t be the main driving force behind your insurance policy decision. Instead, shop around for insurance companies and compare all of the discounts they offer to find the best rates for your policy. 

It’s possible — and perhaps even likely — that the cheapest auto insurance won’t have a non-drinker or non-smoker discount.