How much is the Progressive good driver discount?

Completing a Geico defensive driving course qualifies drivers for a discount of up to 5% or 10% on their Geico car insurance premium. Geico-approved online defensive driving courses cost $14.95 to $24.95, depending on the provider and your state of residence.

Why a Geico Defensive Driving Course Is a Good Idea… read full answer

In general, Geico defensive driving courses improve students’ driving skills by teaching them how to react effectively in hazardous situations. Main topics include how to drive in bad weather and on wet or icy roads, how to correct course if you lose control, how to veer off the roadway safely, and how to react if something crosses into your lane suddenly. Courses also cover the dangers of road rage, speeding, aggressive driving and driving under the influence.

Geico’s defensive-driving course discount is available in most (but not all) states, and rules and qualifications vary. Geico has a convenient directory to help you learn more about the defensive driving requirements in your state.

Geico Defensive Driving Discounts in Major States

• 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%
• Georgia – up to 10%
• 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.

You can get a defensive driving discount for car insurance by completing an approved driver's education course. Seven of the 10 largest insurance companies offer a defensive driving discount, though exact requirements and discount amounts vary.

Defensive Driving Discounts by Car Insurance Company

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to car insurance discounts.

To find hidden auto insurance discounts, look up your insurance company’s discounts online, check your state’s mandatory discount laws, and contact your insurance agent or the company’s customer service department. Since discounts vary significantly by location and company, discounts might be “hidden” in that they are not widely advertised, like a buy-in-advance discount. Similarly, some of the most commonly overlooked auto insurance discounts are … read full answerdriver monitoring discounts, paid-in-full discounts, and the AARP driver safety course discount because they usually aren’t automatically applied.

Hidden Auto Insurance Discounts

• Low mileage or short commute discount
• AARP driver safety course discount
• Buy or renew in advance discount
• Automatic or electronic payment discount
• Driver monitoring discount
• Hybrid or electric car discount
• Anti-theft or Lojack discount
• Paid-in-full discount
• Multi-policy discount
• Farm vehicle discount

Car insurance companies do not fully disclose the formulas they use to calculate a driver’s premium. However, most states allow a driver’s demographic information, credit history, vehicle information, and driving record to affect rates. As a result, you could also get a “discount,” in the sense of getting a lower base premium, by changing one of these factors. For instance, car insurance is generally cheaper for married individuals because they are statistically likely to be low-risk.

Since your demographic information is unlikely to change, focus on improving your credit history and driving record if you want to lower your base premium. If your car is particularly expensive, fast or unsafe, trading it in for a safer, less valuable model will help lower your insurance premium, too. Similarly, increasing your deductible and eliminating any unnecessary coverage can also help save you money, acting like a hidden discount.

If you’re looking for extra savings, it’s worth double checking the most common car insurance discounts as well as the most often overlooked ones listed above. Finally, no matter how many discounts are being applied to your policy, it’s best to frequently compare quotes from different insurers.