Many car insurance companies offer a safe driver discount, which could earn you up to 30% off your premium. Eligibility varies, but you may qualify by going accident-free for several years, opting into a tracking telematics program, or passing a defensive driving course.
Safe driver discounts: How they work
A safe driver discount (also known as a ‘good driver discount’ or ‘claim-free discount’) is a savings opportunity that rewards safe drivers for low-risk driving behavior.
Safe driving discounts often come in the form of a percentage off your auto insurance premium, but some insurers will simply offer you a lower base premium if you’ve avoided an accident for a specific amount of time.
Most insurance companies assess your qualification for safe driving discounts by monitoring your telematics data or driving history, although in some cases you can qualify by completing a defensive driving course. Here’s a brief breakdown of how each of these options work.
Earning safe driver discounts with telematics
While some providers will give you a discount based on your previous driving history, others prefer to keep up with your current driving behavior. They do this via telematics—using an app or plug-in device to track things like:
- What time of day you usually drive
- Whether you brake and accelerate harshly
- How sharply you turn
- Whether you use your phone while you’re driving
Telematics programs can be a great tool to help you improve your driving because they make you more aware of the spots on your commute where you tend to speed or brake harshly. According to a recent report on telematics, about 25% of surveyed drivers said they reduced their distracted driving habits by more than 50% after participating in a telematics program1.
But while telematics apps are highly beneficial for most drivers, the downside is that your insurance company is also aware of these trouble areas—and in some cases, your rates can even go up after enrolling in telematics due to mistakes behind the wheel
Earning safe driver discounts by remaining accident-free
Some insurers may offer separate discounts for being accident-free and violation-free, while others combine them into a single discount. Some insurance companies will add a safe driving discount automatically but others may require you to request it before it can be applied—so ask your insurance agent if you aren’t sure.
Earning save driver discounts through a defensive driving course
Some drivers may have the option to enroll in an approved defensive driving course to earn a safe driver discount. Defensive driving courses aren’t just for new drivers or drivers who have violations on their records—they’re also beneficial for those who are looking to increase their overall awareness while driving.
Some states limit defensive driving discounts to teens or senior drivers, but if you’re eligible, you can earn a safe driver discount by sharing your certificate with your insurance company after you complete the course.
Who qualifies for safe driver discounts?
Most immediate safe driver discounts require drivers to have a clean driving record. This includes avoiding some or all of the following:
- At-fault accidents
- Major comprehensive claims
- Moving violations
- Points on your driver’s license
For telematics and defensive driving courses, you don’t necessarily need a clean history to get started—rather, you need to maintain good driving habits throughout the duration of your telematics program or complete your course in order to achieve savings.
Not all companies offer a good driver discount
Most big name insurance companies, like Progressive and State Farm, offer safe driver discounts, but there are several providers who don’t—including AAA, State Auto, and Gainsco.
California drivers can get safe driver discounts of 20% from any provider
Although California drivers are not eligible for many telematics programs, they get something better: a state mandated discount. All California drivers who meet the state’s criteria for “good driver” automatically earn a 20% discount. To qualify, you need to have:
- One or fewer points on your record
- One or fewer traffic school enrollments
- No DUI convictions for the past 10 years
- No at-fault accidents that caused death or injury
- Continuous license held for at least three years
The best car insurance companies for safe driver discounts
Each company structures its good driver discount differently. Some require you to participate in their tracking telematics programs, some offer an accident-free bonus, and some reward you for passing a defensive driving course—or one company might offer all of the above.
Here are the major car insurance companies that offer safe driver discounts:
| INSURANCE COMPANY | DISCOUNT PROGRAM & AVERAGE SAVINGS ($/%) |
|---|---|
| Allstate | – Drive wise (telematics) | 30% – Accident-free discounts | Not disclosed |
| Progressive | – Snapshot (telematics) | $231/yr – Accident-free discounts | 34% |
| State Farm | – Drive Safe & Save (Telematics) | 30 + 10% sign-up bonus |
| Nationwide | – SmartRide (telematics) | 40% 10% sign-up bonus – Safe driver discount | Not disclosed |
| GEICO | – DriveEasy (telematics) | 10-25% – Accident-free discounts | 22% – Defensive driving discount | Varies – Driver training discount | Varies |
| Travelers | – IntelleDrive (telematics) | 30% 10% sign-up bonus – Safe driver discount | 25-40% – Driver training discount | 8% |
| Safeco | – Right Track (telematics) | 30% 10% sign-up bonus – Safe driver discount | Not disclosed |
| Kemper | – Kemper Co-Pilot (telematics) | 10% sign-up bonus – Defensive driving discount | Not disclosed |
| National General | – DynamicDrive (telematics) | 5-12% |
Keep in mind that if you qualify, your savings and program name may not appear on your insurance policy until your next renewal.
5 ways to be a good driver and maintain your safe driver discount
To keep your safe driver discount, you need to maintain good driving habits—but that can be a challenge within itself. Here are some of the top tips to help you keep your safe driver discount:
- Prepare—and stay aware: Figure out your route before you get behind the wheel. While you’re driving, scan the road 12–15 seconds ahead of you so you’ll be aware of upcoming hazards, and always check your mirrors.
- Go the speed limit: Driving too fast can not only increase your chance of getting into an accident, but it also increases the risk that an accident will be very serious.
- Brake early and gently: Not only is harsh braking tough on your vehicle, but it can catch other drivers off guard and increase your chances of an accident.
- Don’t check your phone: Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Use your device’s hands-free features or wait until you’re safely parked before you use your phone.
- Limit other distractions in your vehicle: Eating, playing with the radio, and talking to passengers can all distract you while you’re driving, which could increase your chances of being in an accident.
More ways to save on car insurance
Always shop for car insurance—even if you have a policy in place
The most important thing you can do to save money is find the cheapest rate on the market. It’s free to compare car insurance quotes from other companies, and it’s fast with a tool like Jerry.
See which company offers the lowest rate for your desired coverage, check its customer reviews, and then tap to switch and save.
Take a look at other car insurance discounts
There are several other types of savings opportunities available outside of safe driver discounts. Here are some of the most common car insurance discounts:
- Good student: If you’re a full-time student enrolled in high school or college and maintain a B average, you may be able to save on car insurance.
- Multi-policy: Drivers who have homeowner and auto insurance with the same provider can often earn discounts by bundling their policies.
- Multi-vehicle: Households with more than one vehicle can put them under the same policy and may earn a discount.
- Paid-in-full: If you pay your premium in full at the start of your policy term, you will usually save a certain amount on your premiums.
Consider increasing your deductible amount
If you have full coverage car insurance, increasing your policy deductible can lower your monthly auto insurance premium. Your car insurance policy won’t lose any coverage but your insurance costs will go down—except the out-of-pocket payment.
FAQ
-
Are safe driver discounts only for drivers with spotless records?
-
Can I put my Drive Safe beacon in my glove box?
-
How do I increase my Drive Safe & Save discount?
-
What is a good Drive Safe & Save score?
-
How do I get a 30% discount with RightTrack?
-
How long does the RightTrack discount last?
-
What other rewards can you get for safe driving?
-
What are the regulations and privacy concerns regarding telematics?
Source
Bonnie Stinson is an insurance writer with 8+ years of experience as a content writer. They specialize in making complex topics like insurance and technology easy to understand. Bonnie has written over 1,300 articles to help people become confident car owners, from how to choose the right car and build a car insurance policy to dealing with stressful situations like car accidents and unexpected repairs. Before joining Jerry’s editorial team, Bonnie worked as a digital media strategist and user experience researcher, producing content for Furnishr, STACKEDD Magazine, InfinityCore Health, and the global non-profit Giraffe Heroes.
Kianna Walpole is an insurance writer and editor with a comprehensive background in consumer behavior and online publishing. With experience in car insurance, maintenance, and repair, she is dedicated to building informative content that helps customers reduce costs while achieving the best service. Prior to joining the Jerry editorial team, Kianna worked as a junior editor in the content marketing industry, using consumer data and key insights to create and edit content for an array of large-scale clients in the real estate, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries.
