How To Get a Defensive Driving Discount

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Lots of insurers offer discounts to drivers who complete a defensive driving class, and these discounts can range from 5% to 20% off your car premium. Most classes can be anywhere from four to eight hours long, and members can choose from in-person or online courses. Each state has its eligibility requirements on top of your carrier’s policies, and many discounts are age-based: offered mostly to teenagers and those over 60. Still, taking a defensive driving course can be worthwhile even without a discount as they can help you drive safer. Before registering, here are a few things you should do:
- Go over your state's laws and regulations regarding defensive driver discounts
- Ask your insurance company about eligible discounts, including defensive driving discount age limits
- Make sure you take a defensive driving course that is approved by your state and insurer if a defensive driving discount is available
Who Is Eligible for a Defensive Driver Training Discount?
Defensive driver training discounts are usually for drivers under 25 and above 55 since these age groups tend to be at higher risk for accidents and have higher insurance premiums. Age restrictions vary from state to state — New York, for example, requires that insurance companies offer rate discounts to drivers of all ages who successfully complete a defensive driving course. You should always contact your insurer to see what’s available to you.
Some insurers may impose other eligibility requirements; for example, Allstate requires that drivers not have any recent driving violations or at-fault violations. With most insurers, your discount generally lasts for three to five years, at which point you can retake the class to qualify again for the discount.
How Can I Get a Defensive Driving Discount?
Most drivers can get a defensive driving discount for their auto insurance by successfully completing an approved driver's education course. Keep these points in mind:
- Always check with your insurance company before taking a defensive driver course to confirm that they will offer a discount and if they have a list of approved courses, some insurers may only offer discounts for specific classes that meet certain criteria. Allstate, for example, requires the course to be a minimum of six hours long.
- In some states, students can decide to either take it in a classroom setting or online. Find out which option is available to you by looking at your state’s laws or talking to your insurance agent.
- During the driving safety class, drivers will learn about safe driving and road safety statistics. They will also learn about their state’s traffic laws, how to maintain proper distance and how to scan the road.
- Once you’ve completed the class, you just have to provide your insurance provider with a certificate of completion to have the discount applied to your policy.
Finding a Defensive Driver Course
Most states offer defensive driving classes at local driver’s ed schools or online as approved by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or Public Safety. As long as your insurer and state DMV approve it, you are free to take any course.
Many drivers prefer defensive driving courses through AAA, American Safety Council and the AARP.
What Is It Like to Take a Defensive Driver Training Class?
A defensive driver training class is commonly taught in a classroom or online. These classes can be anywhere from four to 12 hours long, depending on the class and state regulations.
In-person classes
- Typically around $50–$100
- Classes are at a specific time and place
- Can ask the instructors questions
- Done in one afternoon
Online classes
- Typically around $15-$40
- Can be done remotely
- Times are flexible
- Less one-on-one time with the teacher
- Need to verify that it is accredited
What Do They Cover in a Defensive Driving Class?
Defensive driving classes teach drivers different techniques to prevent accidents — such as maintaining safe distances between cars or being aware of your circumstances. In traffic school, you will learn road and driving safety statistics, such as how speed can impact the severity of a crash and what times of day are most likely to see car accidents. Drivers will also learn how to avoid accidents by scanning the roadway, obeying their state’s traffic laws and more. Once the course is completed, drivers may have to undergo a comprehension test in order to pass and qualify for a discount from their insurer.
The defensive driver training class commonly goes over the following topics:
- Defensive driving techniques
- Crash prevention strategies
- Drug and alcohol education
- Basic car maintenance
- Traffic safety issues and laws
Which Car Insurance Companies Offer Defensive Driving Discounts?
Insurer |
Eligibility |
Discount amount |
Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|
USAA |
Drivers who meet their state's eligibility requirements and complete a defensive driving course |
Total amount varies |
USAA is available only to active-duty military members, military families and veterans |
State Farm |
Drivers who meet their state's eligibility requirements |
Up to 15% |
|
Farmers |
Drivers 55 and older who complete an approved driver's education class |
Up to 15% |
Drivers must finish a Driver’s Education course approved by the state DMV |
Travelers |
Drivers who complete an approved driver education course |
Up to 8% |
|
Nationwide |
Drivers 55 and older who complete an approved driver's education course |
Up to 5% |
To qualify, drivers must have no at-fault accidents in the past 35 months and have completed a state-approved course |
American Family |
Drivers 55 and older who complete an approved driver's education course. |
Total amount varies |
To be eligible, drivers must complete an approved driver course and live in Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Utah or Washington. |
Esurance |
Drivers 55 and older who complete an approved driver's education course |
Up to 10% |
|
Allstate |
Drivers who complete an approved driver education course |
Amount varies by state |
|
The Hartford |
Drivers who complete an approved driver education course |
Total amount varies |
|
AAA |
Varies by state |
Up to 10% |
|
Liberty Mutual |
Drivers 20 and younger who complete an approved driver's education course |
Amount varies by state |
|
MetLife |
Varies by state |
5%-10% |
|
Amica |
Age requirement varies per state. |
Varies by state |
Qualified drivers must complete an approved driving course. |
Remember that a defensive driving discount is only one of many discounts available to insurance shoppers. If you want to reduce your rates, comparing quotes for the lowest price on auto insurance may be just as effective.
Additional Reasons You Need to Take a Defensive Driving Course
Defensive driving classes are used as either mandatory or optional solutions for traffic violation sentences. They are also known as remedial driving courses or traffic schools. For example, a court or judge may order you to finish a defensive driving class after a serious moving infraction, or you might decide to take a class in order to reduce the number of points you have on your license. Court-ordered defensive driving courses are separate from those designed to reduce your insurance rates. Additionally, many insurance companies require drivers to have a clean driving record in order to be eligible for a discount. Therefore, if you are assigned by the court to attend traffic school, you will likely have to wait for the violation to drop off your record before you can qualify for an insurance discount.
State-Specific Defensive Driver Training Courses
In most states, drivers can take a state-approved defensive driver training course to reduce points on their license, dismiss a ticket or save on insurance rates. Keep in mind that a driver training discount lasts for three to five years. Plus, you’ll save even more if the course helps you avoid a traffic or accident violation.
State |
Defensive Driving Eligibility |
Coverage After Completing an Approved Defensive Driving Course |
---|---|---|
Alabama |
Alabama offers an online traffic system so you don’t have to appear in court. You can ask to attend a defensive driving course to prevent the ticket from being part of your record. |
Varies |
Arizona |
Drivers can take an approved online defensive driving course to dismiss a traffic ticket. |
Up to 10% |
Arkansas |
Drivers can take a defensive driving course online to dismiss the ticket. |
Up to 15% |
California |
Once approved by the court, drivers can take an approved online defensive driving course to dismiss a traffic ticket. |
Up to 5% |
Connecticut |
Connecticut allows drivers to take online defensive driving classes to reduce their insurance rates. |
Up to 10% |
Delaware |
Drivers can take state-approved online defensive driving courses to reduce insurance rates. |
Up to 15% |
Florida |
Drivers can qualify to attend an online driving improvement course to improve their insurance rates and reduce their fines. |
Up to 10% |
Hawaii |
Drivers can complete online defensive driving classes to dismiss a traffic ticket |
Hawaii does not offer discounts at this time. |
Idaho |
Idaho Transportation Department allows drivers to take online defensive driving courses to reduce points on your license. |
Up to 10% |
Illinois |
Drivers are allowed to complete an online defensive driving course for an insurance discount. |
Up to 5% |
Indiana |
Drivers can complete programs set forth by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles to get a point credit on their driving record. |
Up to 10% |
Kansas |
Kansas drivers can dismiss a ticket and lower insurance rates by attending an online state-approved defensive driving class. |
Up to 10% |
Kentucky |
Kentucky has court-ordered online defensive driving options that allow drivers to dismiss a traffic ticket. |
Up to 10% |
Louisiana |
Drivers can take a court-approved online defensive driving course to dismiss a ticket. |
Varies |
Maine |
Drivers can take driver safety courses and online defensive driving to lower their insurance rates and reduce points on their license.. |
Up to 10% |
Maryland |
Maryland drivers can take driver improvement courses and online defensive driving classes. |
Up to 10% |
Massachusetts |
Massachusetts drivers can take state-approved online driving safety courses to reduce points on their license. |
Massachusetts does not offer discounts at this time. |
Michigan |
Drivers can take a Michigan-approved driver improvement class to avoid adding points to their driving record. |
Michigan does not offer discounts at this time. |
Minnesota |
Minnesota drivers can take approved online defensive driving classes for discounted car insurance rates. |
Up to 12% |
Mississippi |
Mississippi drivers have limited online state-approved options for defensive driving classes and drivers must meet certain criteria to have their ticket dismissed, such as not getting a traffic ticket in the last three years. |
Up to 10% |
Missouri |
Missouri allows drivers to take approved online defensive driving classes to reduce points from their driver's license. Classes must be a minimum of eight hours. |
Up to 10% |
Montana |
Montana drivers can take defensive driving classes to reduce insurance rates. |
Up to 10% |
Nebraska |
Nebraska drivers can take online defensive driving courses online along with eight hours of classroom instruction to remove two points from their license. |
Up to 10% |
Nevada |
The Nevada DMV allows drivers to take online defensive driving courses to reduce points on their driver's license or insurance rates. |
Up to 10% |
New Jersey |
New Jersey approves online defensive driving courses. |
Up to 5% |
New Mexico |
New Mexico DMV allows drivers to take approved online defensive driving courses to have a traffic ticket dismissed from their record. |
Varies |
New York |
New York allows drivers to reduce points on their driver’s license and reduce insurance rates after taking an online defensive driving course online. |
Up to 10% |
North Carolina |
North Carolina drivers can attend an online court-ordered defensive driving course through an approved provider. |
North Carolina does not offer discounts at this time. |
North Dakota |
North Dakota drivers can complete online approved defensive driving courses to reduce points on their driver’s license. |
Up to 10% |
Ohio |
Ohio drivers can attend an online defensive driving course to receive two-point credits on their driving record. |
Varies |
Oklahoma |
Oklahoma drivers can attend an online defensive driving course to dismiss their traffic ticket. |
Varies |
Oregon |
Oregan allows drivers to take approved online defensive driving courses to dismiss traffic tickets on a case-by-case basis. |
Varies |
Pennsylvania |
Pennsylvania drivers are allowed to take online driver improvement courses to lower their insurance rates. |
Varies |
South Carolina |
South Carolina courts approved online defensive driving courses to reduce points on your driver's license. |
Up to 10% |
Tennessee |
The Tennessee Department of Safety approves online live-stream defensive driving classes which are about eight hours long. |
Up to 10% |
Texas |
Texas allows drivers to take a state-approved online defensive driving course to dismiss a traffic ticket. |
Up to 10% |
Utah |
Drivers can take online defensive driving courses to reduce points from their license. |
Varies |
Virginia |
Drivers can take a state-approved online driver improvement program to lower their insurance rate and reduce points on their license. |
Up to 10% |
Washington |
Washington drivers can take an approved online defensive driving course to reduce their insurance rates. |
Up to 10% |
Washington D.C. |
Washington D.C. drivers can take an approved online defensive driving course to reduce their insurance rates. |
Varies |
West Virginia |
West Virginia. drivers can take an approved online defensive driving course to reduce their insurance rates. |
Up to 10% |
Wisconsin |
Drivers can take a state-approved online defensive driving course. |
Up to 10% |
Wyoming |
Drivers can take state-approved online defensive driving classes to reduce insurance rates, dismiss a traffic ticket and reduce points from their license. |
Up to 10% |
Key Takeaways:
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