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Good Driver Discount (July 2023)

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Key Takeaways

  • When it comes to auto insurance, a good driving record means that you have had no incidents in the last three to five years.
  • USAA provides the cheapest insurance for good drivers at $1272 a year, on average.

Auto insurance for drivers with good records

You don't have to look hard to find ways to cut costs on auto insurance. Insuring a safe driver can save hundreds annually, and most insurance providers provide discounts.

Insurance companies reward motorists with a clean driving record since they file fewer claims overall. Car insurance companies will still provide incentives for safe drivers, even if your record isn't spotless.

A strong driving record can save you money on your insurance cost regardless of which auto insurance companies you pick. Because of your good driving record and claims history, you're a great candidate for an insurance company. But, unfortunately, you are most likely paying more for auto insurance than you want.

Do you need more information on safe driver discounts and how to qualify for them?

How do good driver discounts work?

An accident-free driving discount is one popular form of good driver discount. If you go three to five years without filing a claim, your premiums may go down, or you may be eligible for another deal.

Second, a good driver discount applies only to serious traffic infractions. That's why not doing things like speeding, or running red lights is so closely linked to it. If you avoid them for a certain number of years, your insurance company may give you a discount.

Different insurers approach rewarding safe drivers in different ways.

  • Accident-free discount: Many major insurance companies provide discounts to drivers who have not had any accidents in the last three to five years.
  • Violation-free discount: If you haven't had any traffic violations in the last three to five years, your insurance company will likely give you a discount.
  • Safe driver discount: Accident-free and violation-free policies are sometimes bundled by car insurance companies. Discounts into a single safe driving discount, offering a single safe driving discount to drivers who have avoided issues or accidents over the last three to five years.
  • Telematics insurance: Usage-based insurance, also known as telematics insurance, monitors your driving, giving you discounts based on your driving performance. The majority of significant insurers provide some form of usage-based insurance.

In addition, taking a defensive driving course can often result in a premium reduction. While these courses are generally designed for young drivers and drivers over 60, some states make them available to all drivers.

They usually last a few hours and cover your state's driving laws as well as techniques to help you avoid an accident. Many courses conclude with a certificate you can present to your insurer to qualify for the defensive driver discount.

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What is considered a clean driving record?

A good driving record for insurance means that you have had no incidents in the last three to five years. The definition of "safe driving" varies slightly between insurers. Some of the incidents that insurance companies consider include:

Simply put, if you have an incident on your record, it shows that you've not always been a safe driver and, therefore, are more likely to require your insurer to pay out a claim at some point.

Car insurance companies for good drivers

Saving money on car insurance is as simple as being a safe driver or not getting into accidents. You should be aware that although many insurance companies provide discounts for safe drivers, some of them have eligibility requirements.

Discounts from USAA, for instance, are restricted to customers in just a few states.

Keep the following in mind while approaching your car insurance company about a good driver discount:

  • There is often a maximum discount that can be given. In addition, some discounts cannot be clubbed.
  • Each discount comes with its own set of rules.
  • Specific discounts apply to coverages rather than policies.
Company Average annual premium
USAA $1,272
State Farm $1,404
Progressive $1,764
Nationwide $1,788
Farmers $2,124
Allstate $2,532
Liberty Mutual $2,580

Average annual full coverage premium by driving record

Driving record Average annual premium
Clean driving record $1,778
Speeding ticket $2,139
At-fault accident $2,526
DUI conviction $3,427

Car insurance discounts for good drivers: company-by-company list

Allstate

Only one of Allstate's options for safe drivers is available without a paid policy upgrade. Drivers can earn points for good driving habits through the free "Allstate Rewards" program, which can be redeemed for commercial items such as designer products, gift cards, and more.

Farmers

Farmers provide a "Safe Driver Discount," but not much else. If you're a Farmers customer looking for a safe driving discount, talk to your agent about your options.

Liberty Mutual

Through its telematics program, RightTrack, Liberty Mutual provides a good driver discount. Safe drivers can expect to save up to 30% on their insurance premiums by using RightTrack with Liberty Mutual.

Nationwide

Nationwide offers a 10% safe driving discount to drivers who have been accident-free for five years. It would be best if you did not have any accidents or major violations on your driver profile to qualify. If you're a Nationwide customer, it's best to contact customer service for more information.

Progressive

Progressive, like Liberty Mutual, offers a safe driver savings option through a usage-based insurance policy. While it varies depending on various factors, Progressive advertises that you could save $130 every six months.

State Farm

If State Farm has insured you for three years without a chargeable incident, you are eligible for an Accident-Free Discount. The term "chargeable incident" refers to claims, violations, or tickets that would raise your insurance premium. For example, parking tickets are not chargeable, but a speeding ticket, DUI conviction, or claim will affect your premium.

USAA

USAA provides a discount to drivers who have five years of incident-free driving. Speak with your USAA representative for more information.

Does your state require companies to offer a discount?

Discounts and eligibility requirements differ by insurer and state, but most insurance companies provide discounts that fall into one of the following categories:

  • Policy discounts
  • Driver behavior discounts
  • Driver characteristic discounts
  • Affiliation discounts
  • Car-based discounts

California's good driver discount law

State regulation requires insurance firms to offer qualified California drivers a 20% good driver discount.

To qualify for the discount, you must complete the following requirements:

  • Have a driver's license that is valid for at least three years. (If your license is revoked or suspended midway through the three years, you are ineligible for a discount.)
  • Receive no more than one point from the Department of Motor Vehicles in the preceding three years.
  • No enrollment in traffic school due to a violation.
  • Never be held accountable for an accident resulting in injury or death.
  • No DUI convictions in the past decade.

All California motorists who fulfill these criteria should contact their insurance provider to confirm that the discount has been added to their policy.

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How to be a good driver discount and maintain your discount

Obtaining a discount for safe driving is only half the battle. What about the other half? You can achieve this by taking the following steps:

Drive less

This is admittedly easier said than done. However, the more time you spend behind the wheel, the more likely you will have an accident, be caught speeding or receive a ticket for another traffic violation. Any one of these occurrences is sufficient to eliminate your safe driver discount.

Therefore, if you can reduce your driving, you should. In addition, some insurers offer low-mileage savings.

Go Easy on your pedals

Following this advice will reduce your likelihood of speeding and crashing. Consequently, you will be more likely to retain your good driver discount. Consider telematics-based discounts, such as pay-how-you-drive, which encourages safe driving behaviors such as gentle braking and avoiding speeding if you are a good driver. Also, check with your local insurance agent to determine if you qualify for telematic savings, as they are not accessible in every state.

Reduce interruptions to a minimum

This involves not using your phone while driving, but it also covers not eating or unwrapping food while driving. Additionally, do not attempt to retrieve anything that has fallen from the dashboard or seat onto the floor.

Regardless of the cause, distracted driving is exceedingly hazardous.

Also, avoid these activities as much as possible:

  • Playing with your radio settings
  • Constant checking of directions
  • Banter with your co-passengers

Enroll in a Defensive Driving Program

The objective of defensive driving classes is to teach drivers how to avoid and prevent collisions and correctly use safety gadgets. Classes typically take between four and eight hours, depending on your state.

In addition to making you a better, safer driver, such a course may qualify you for a defensive driving discount.

Accident Forgiveness coverage

Accident forgiveness endorsement might prevent your premiums from increasing after an accident. In addition, it can prevent you from losing your safe driver discount.

Before agreeing to this type of coverage, remember that sometimes you must purchase it and earn it.

Tips on how to save on insurance

Just because you're a good driver with a spotless driving record doesn't mean your insurance premiums will be low. So if you're looking for additional ways to save as a good driver, here are some ideas to keep your insurance costs down.

Telematics

Telematics, also known as usage-based insurance, includes a plug-in device that monitors your driving to calculate your premium more accurately. Your insurance premiums reflect the type of risk you will present to your insurance company, and by monitoring your driving habits, they can get a better idea of who you are behind the wheel.

Be clever with claims

You're continuing a practice you've already established by being clever with your claims. You most likely consider yourself a good driver because you have no claims or violations on your insurance record. Despite this, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to file a claim after a collision, consider our advice before you risk losing any good driving discounts.

Compare rates

It is critical to consider the scope of the term "good driver." Your driving profile comprises many rating factors related and unrelated to how you drive. Therefore, obtaining as many car insurance quotes as possible is the only accurate way to determine if you're getting the absolute best rate.

Bottomline

The definition of a good driver differs from one company to the next. So to determine whether you qualify for the discount, insurers examine your driving record, accident, and claims history.

Some insurers may give you a discount if you haven't been in an accident in three years. Others only offer it after five years. If you're curious about the discount, check with your insurance agent to see if you already have it or how you can get it to lower your premium.

INSURANCE AGENT EXPERTS

Wilson Mathew Nechikat

Wilson Mathew Nechikat

Principal

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Anthony Luu

Anthony Luu

Sr. Director of Insurance Operations

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Ezra Peterson

Ezra Peterson

Sr. Director of Insurance

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Danny Herrera

Danny Herrera

Head of Commercial Insurance

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Auto Insurance Data Methodology

The auto insurance rates published in this guide are based on the results of research completed by Way.com’s data team. Using a mix of public and internal data, we analyzed millions of rate averages across U.S. ZIP codes.

Quotes are typically based on a full coverage policy average unless otherwise noted within the content.

These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes will differ. Given this, it’s important to go through our insurance steps form to find how much you can save with way.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Will one accident or ticket cancel my discount?

There is a possibility. An insurer may cancel your policy after an accident, but this is unlikely unless you are a high-risk driver.

How do you maintain a safe driver discount?

  • Drive less frequently
  • Look into accident forgiveness coverage
  • Reduce distractions
  • Avoid slamming the brakes and the accelerator
  • Pay-how-you-drive car insurance

Can good grades lower car insurance?

Certainly. Good student discounts reward high-school and college drivers who maintain good grades with lower car insurance premiums.

How much is the California good driver discount?

Under state law, insurance companies must offer qualified California residents a 20% good driver discount. To qualify for the discount, you should have a valid driver's license for at least three years.

Will I lose my good driver discount?

Different insurance companies have other policies regarding the loss of good driver discounts. Drivers typically lose this discount for various reasons, including receiving traffic or moving violation tickets, being at fault in an accident, filing a claim under collision coverage, or even receiving only one point on their license.

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