Get a Defensive Driving Discount

A defensive driving discount is a car insurance discount you may qualify for if you have successfully passed a defensive driving class.

Most insurers offer a variety of ways to save money on your car insurance policy through various discounts. Applying the defensive driving discount to your policy, along with any of these other reductions for which you are eligible, can make a nice dent in your monthly bill.

If you have not taken a defensive driving class, ask your insurance agent if taking one could save you money on your policy. You may be able to save between 5% and 10% for passing such a class. Most insurers allow their customers to use several discounts to lower the cost of their insurance quote. Be sure and choose the ones that help you save the most, such as bundling your car coverage with your renters insurance or home insurance.

Defensive driving courses may help especially with young drivers. There are not many discounts for new drivers, but this is one, as well as the good student discount, which rewards full-time students who maintain a high GPA.

What are the Benefits of Taking a Defensive Driving Course?

Defensive driving classes cover strategies that can help prevent you from getting into an accident. You’ll learn and practice following at a safe distance and avoiding distracted driving, environmental hazards you might encounter on the road, and other auto collision prevention skills.

These classes also teach drivers about road risks, such as what to do when being tailgated, how to handle road range situations, and what to do when encountering drunk drivers in another vehicle. Most classes will also go over your state’s laws as a refresher.

Learning such skills makes you a safer driver and can potentially save you even more money by helping you prevent future accidents. Even if you don’t qualify for the defensive driving discount, Acceptance agents are happy to provide you with discounts for the categories in which you qualify.

To qualify for a defensive driving discount, you generally need to meet the following requirements:

• Complete an Approved Course: You must pass a defensive driving course that is approved by both your state and your insurance company. You may need to provide your insurer with a certificate of completion.
• Eligibility After Violations or Accidents: If you’ve taken the course to improve your driving record after receiving moving violations or being involved in an at-fault accident, you may qualify for a discount.
• Verify Your Eligibility: If you’ve completed a driving course but aren’t sure if you’re eligible for the discount, it’s always a good idea to ask your insurance agent to verify your eligibility.

Who Does Not Qualify for a Defensive Driving Discount?

There are scenarios where you may not qualify for this discount:

• If you’ve taken a defensive driving class but did not pass the course, you will most likely not qualify.
• If you’ve taken and successfully passed a defensive driving course but then had recent at-fault accidents or moving violations, you may not qualify.
• If you’ve taken a class in response to a court order, you may not qualify.
• If you’ve taken a class but it was not approved by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, you may not qualify.

Your insurance company may have a time limit on how long you can earn the discount after you’ve passed the class. Some companies offer this discount for three years, while others offer it for five years after successfully passing the class. So, if you took the class longer than three to five years ago, you may not qualify.

Some insurance companies only give this discount to young (or new drivers) and to senior drivers as they typically have more accidents and would benefit more from such a course.

Your insurance agent can help you with your specific situation.

Most insurance companies offer multiple discounts to provide savings on your bill.

If you need auto insurance and another type of insurance, such as homeowners or renters, you can save between 10% and 25% off your bill by bundling your policies with one insurer. If you need to insure multiple vehicles, you can also save between 10% and 25%.

You can save 9% by paying for your policy in full up front, or if you prefer monthly payments, you can save 5% by setting up automated payments from your checking account.

If you are a member (current or retired) of the military, a first responder, or a teacher, you can potentially save another 15% off your bill. Be sure to ask about the other discounts for which you might be eligible, such as if you drive a new car (which can give you a 10% discount) or if you are a student with good grades (you can save up to 25%).