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Defensive Driving and Driver Training Discounts

Defensive Driving and Driver Training Discounts

Car insurance discounts are often provided to drivers who take active steps to improve their driving skills and safe driving behaviors, because safer driving means fewer claims.

Young drivers can often save money by completing an approved driver training (or driver's education) course, while older drivers are often offered a discount for defensive driving training.

Driver Training Discounts

Most car insurance companies offer discounts to young drivers who complete driver's education programs, because those drivers are statistically less likely to engage in risky driving behaviors and get into car accidents.

The details of the driver discount will vary by auto insurance company. Consider comparison-shopping for car insurance quotes and discounts before settling on a provider.

NOTE: Driver training discounts typically refer to driver's education courses for new young drivers. To learn about defensive driving training for adults, see “Defensive Driving Discounts below."

Requirements for Discounts

Driver training discount requirements vary by car insurance company and state. Generally, in order to qualify you will need to:

  • Be under 21 years old.
  • Complete a qualifying driver's education course.
    • This may include a minimum number of course hours and supervised driving hours.
  • Show documentation of course completion.

Some states will approve online courses, and others will require you take the course in person at an approved location.

To learn about driver's education requirements in your state, visit our Driver's Education section.

Defensive Driving Discounts

If you have completed a defensive driving course, you might be eligible for a car insurance discount. Depending on your auto insurance provider, you might even receive a discounted rate on the course itself. Be sure to ask your car insurance agent about the possibility.

In many cases, this discount is only offered to senior drivers (usually classified as over 50 years old).

Defensive driving courses often cover the following topics:

  • Defensive driving techniques.
  • Traffic laws.
  • Drug and alcohol awareness.
  • Driving in adverse weather.

Discount Requirements

While requirements and restrictions vary by car insurance company and state, the following standards generally apply:

  • You must complete an approved defensive driving course with a passing grade to earn the discount.
  • You can only take a defensive driving class for a discount once every several years.
  • You can usually only apply one defensive driving discount per car.

Contact your auto insurance provider to discuss the availability of defensive driving discounts in your state. Also, visit our Defensive Driving section to learn about the courses available in your state.

NOTE: If you are required to take a defensive driving course based on a court order, or if you are required to file an SR-22 certificate, you may not be eligible for this discount.

Additional Safe Driver Discounts

In addition to discounts for completing a defensive driving course, many companies offer auto insurance discounts for consistently practicing safe driving skills, in the form of an accident-free or good driver discount.

Be sure to ask about these discounts if you have a good driving record.

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