In case you needed another reason to be a good driver, consider safe driving discounts and save up to hundreds of dollars a year. Insurance providers use this discount to both reward and motivate people to stay safe on the roads.
After all, when you drive safe, your insurance company is spared the expense of costly payouts, so it makes sense that some of those savings should be passed back to you.
Qualifying for a safe driving discount is fairly straightforward: Just maintain a clean driving record for a few years (sometimes three, often five, depending on the insurance company). Given that you need some time to create this spotless record, safe driving discounts are usually only available to people 25 years of age or older.
You may also be required to take a defensive driving course to qualify for this discount, though—again—this is a policy that varies from provider to provider.
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A clean driving record isn’t based solely on your ability to steer clear of accidents. Here are some other factors that can impact your safe driving discount:
So, maintaining a safe driving record is not just about collisions: It’s about your perceived responsibility as a driver and a person.
An important note: Your safe driving discount will only be revoked or denied if you are at fault in an accident. If you are a victim of poor driving, your safe driving discount should remain intact.
Typically, a safe driving discount will save you between 20-50% on your car insurance premium. Some insurance companies will increase your discount for every subsequent year you’re accident and infraction-free, but the savings usually max out at 50%.
Time and good driving is the only way to improve your driving record to qualify for a safe driving discount.
However, there may be a loophole: Some insurance providers will overlook minor infractions and accidents if you’ve purchased accident forgiveness insurance. Ultimately, you will have to speak with your insurer to find out if that’s the case with your company.
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Another way to lower your premium if you cannot clear your record is to qualify for a defensive driving insurance discount. As the name suggests, you just have to take a defensive driving course and then provide proof of certification to your insurance company.
Defensive driving insurance discounts are an excellent way to save up to 20% on your auto insurance premium. These courses only take a matter of hours to complete and will teach—or reinforce—how to drive safely while adhering to the rules of the road.
Defensive driving discounts are most often available to teenage drivers and drivers over 55 years of age. The reason for these age categories is that these are the people who are statistically considered the highest risk drivers. As such, these are the drivers who will most benefit from a crash course on road safety.
You can take courses online or in-person which will cost anywhere between $15 and $100. Be sure to check with your insurance company to see if they require you to go to certain driving schools. Not all online driving schools are recognized or reputable.
The good news is that taking a defensive driving course will more than pay for your tuition when your defensive driving discount kicks in—but the discount only lasts three years, after which point you will have to do the course again if you want the discount to continue.
The main thing to know about getting a safe driving discount on your insurance is that not only will it save you a serious chunk of change, but it will also encourage you to be a more careful and conscientious driver, which could save you much more than just money.
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Yes, as well as no other vehicle-related infractions.
Typically, five years, but you could start seeing discounts in as little as three with some providers.
That varies from insurance provider to provider. Check with your carrier.
Lauren Lewthwaite Lauren Lewthwaite has been freelance writing for almost five years writing content that ranges from health to insurance and everything in between. Lauren is also a trained translator in French and English and is a dog-mom to an adorable Australian Shepherd.
