Does Defensive Driving Lower Your Insurance?
We Don't Have a Talking Gecko—But, We May Still Save You Money on Your Car Insurance!
- First Published —
- August 16, 2022
- Last Updated —
- November 7, 2022
How Do You Claim Your Defensive Driving Insurance Discount?
Since defensive driving can make you safer on the road, many insurance companies will offer a discount for taking a defensive driving course. Each insurer’s discount and terms are different, and state regulations can come into play, too. Before you sign up for a defensive driving course, you can do the following:
- Check your state’s regulations or laws about defensive driver discounts
- Learn your insurer’s available discounts and requirements, including any defensive driving discount age limits
- If a defensive driving discount is available, make sure you select a state/insurer-approved course
- Compare costs, timing, and formats (in-person vs. online) of approved defensive driving courses to find the one that’s right for you
PRO TIP:
Defensive driving courses aren’t just about earning a discount — they can teach you to anticipate situations that may result in a collision. These courses typically cover the risks and reasons for accidents, statistics illustrating the most prevalent safety concerns and, most importantly, techniques to recognize and quickly react to danger.
Will a Course Get Me Ticket Dismissal AND a Discount?
Absolutely!
A defensive driving course certificate of completion comes in two parts: one for the court and one for your insurance agent. Since the court copy gets you out of your ticket, your insurance won’t go up, and your insurance copy might qualify you for a “safe driver” discount from your insurance company. It’s a win-win!
You don’t even need a ticket to take advantage of this insurance benefit. You can enjoy a three-year break on your premiums by voluntarily taking a defensive driving course. By the way, don’t cheat yourself out of this benefit because you’re afraid you might get a ticket in the next three years. Having an insurance discount in effect won’t disqualify you for ticket dismissal in the future.
How Much Can I Save?
The amount of savings varies from company to company. Auto insurance providers that offer defensive driving discounts save their policyholders between 2-10% on their premiums. Nationally, the average monthly premium for full-coverage insurance is about $120 bucks a month. I know what you’re thinking, 2% of $120 doesn’t seem like much, but, let’s do the math.
Let’s say your insurance company only offers 5%. $5 bucks a month may not seem like much, but after a Lincoln goes back into your pocket 36 times, now you’ve earned $216. Bet that covered your court costs with money to spare. Whodathunk you could make money from getting a ticket?
Got More Texas Defensive Driving Questions?
If you didn’t get the answer you needed here, we have even more ways to quench your quandaries:
- Talk to a Human
- Check out our FAQ page
- Check out our additional FAQ post (with videos!)
- Jump to our YouTube Channel
