How do you get a defensive driving discount?

This question is about Cheap Car Insurance

WalletHub, Financial Company

@WalletHub 09/27/20 First posted on 09/28/20
Last reviewed on 09/27/20

To get a defensive driving discount, check your state and insurance company requirements, then take an approved online or in-person defensive driving course, and give the insurance company a copy of your completion certificate. Six of the 10 largest car insurance companies advertise defensive driving discounts on their websites, as do many smaller insurers. In addition, 34 states and Washington, D.C. require insurance companies to provide a defensive driving discount to eligible drivers.

A defensive driving discount usually ranges from 5% to 20% and is generally applied each year for three consecutive years. You can renew the discount after three years by taking the defensive driving course again. Class prices can vary widely, but most online defensive driving courses cost between $20 and $40.

Companies Advertising Defensive Driving Discounts

State Farm – discount amount varies
Geico – 5% to 20%, depending on the state
USAA – discount amount varies
Farmers – discount amount varies
Nationwide – usually around 5%
American Family – discount amount varies
21^st Century – 2%, on average
Amica – discount amount varies
Chubb – discount amount varies
Country Financial – up to 5%
Kemper – discount amount varies
National General – discount amount varies
NJM – 5% off liability, PIP, and collision coverage in New Jersey
The Hartford – discount amount varies

Defensive driving classes focus on avoiding collisions and handling challenging situations on the road. They are usually intended for experienced drivers who haven’t taken drivers ed in a while. In some states, you might need to be 50, 55, or 65 years old to qualify for a defensive driving discount. In others, drivers may be eligible starting at age 25, or even at any age.

You may not qualify for a defensive driving discount if you have a recent at-fault accident or violation on your driving record, although you can still take a course for learning purposes. Similarly, defensive driving classes may be ordered by a court in response to a driving conviction such as speeding or reckless driving. And in some states, you may be able to erase a ticket from your record by taking such a course. These court-mandated classes might not result in a premium decrease the way a voluntary one would, but they can prevent your premium from increasing as a result of your citation.

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Sample GEICO Defensive Driving Discounts by State

California – up to 5%

Texas – up to 10%

Florida – up to 10%

New York – up to 10%

Illinois – up to 10%

Pennsylvania – up to 10%

Michigan – no discount

Georgia – up to 10%

North Carolina – no discount

New Jersey – up to 5%

If you already have a course in mind, check with GEICO to see if that course will qualify you for the discount. You can also find an approved GEICO defensive driving course, and learn how to sign up, through the National Safety Council or the American Safety Council. Many states offer the option of taking the course online rather than in a classroom.

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How much does 1 point affect insurance?

One point is unlikely to affect a driver’s insurance costs, if it is the only point on the driver’s record. One point is assigned for a minor violation, like driving with broken taillights or an expired license, which the insurance company might not even hear about it. And if the insurer does not tally the point, it will not result in a higher premium.… read full answer

Forty-one of the 50 states use a license-points system. Drivers get points for different traffic violations, such as speeding and driving under the influence. The other nine states (Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wyoming) keep track of the number of traffic violations you have, instead. Then your license will be suspended if you end up with too many violations. The only difference is that those nine states don’t use a publicly defined points system, where specific traffic violations equal a certain number of points toward a suspended license.

The long-term effects of 1 point on your license

Insurance companies don’t track state license points, but they definitely care about the traffic violations that earn you those points. So your license points and your insurance costs are related. In fact, insurance companies have their own points systems for policy pricing, which consider serious traffic violations, claims history, and more.

That’s important because an additional violation or claim could potentially raise your insurance rates by 50% or more, if you already have a point on your record. Having a point on your record means that you’re one point closer to exceeding your state’s point limit and losing your driving privileges.

In some states, a defensive driving course can get points wiped off your record. Once you complete the course, your state removes a set number of points from your license. However, not all states have a point reduction program, including some states that use points to track violations. That’s why it’s still important to pay your ticket(s) on time and do your best to abide by all traffic laws if you want to increase your chances of avoiding any further state or insurance penalties.

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