How to Save with Car Insurance Discounts
Car insurance discounts can help you save significantly on your auto insurance premium. Insurance companies offer a variety of discounts that range from discounts based on your driving habits to ones based on your personal history. You may qualify for some discounts automatically, but you’ll need to talk with an agent for others.
Good driver discounts
If you’re a good driver or you’ve taken steps to become a better driver, many insurance companies will reward you with a rate discount.
Defensive driving discount
If you’ve taken a defensive driving course, you may be eligible for a discount. These courses can help you build driving skills by learning how to avoid car accidents and how to avoid driver distractions.
Accident-free discount
You may earn a discount if you have no accidents on your driving record, too. Most companies that offer this discount require you to stay accident-free for three to five years.
Anti-theft device discount
Anti-theft devices can deter thieves, which is why car insurance companies may offer a discount if you have one installed. Discounts can apply to alarms or other types of protective devices. Savings for an anti-theft device vary. Geico, for example, provides a 23% discount.
| Company | Defensive driving | Accident-free | Anti-theft devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | |||
| Farmers | |||
| Geico | |||
| Liberty Mutual | |||
| Progressive | |||
| State Farm | |||
| Travelers |
Note: Discount information from provider websites
Policy discounts
Car insurance companies can offer discounts based on the type of policy you have and when you signed up for coverage.
Multipolicy discount
You can save a good amount of money if you have multiple policies under the same insurance company. We listed the potential savings in the table below if you bundle your home and auto insurance policies.
| Company | Potential savings |
|---|---|
| Allstate | Up to 25% |
| Farmers | Varies |
| Geico | Varies |
| Liberty Mutual | Up to $950 |
| Progressive | Average savings of 5% |
| State Farm | Up to $1,073 |
| Travelers | Up to 13% |
Note: Discount information from provider websites
If you have condo or renters insurance with the same company as your auto insurance, you may also qualify for a multipolicy discount.
Early shopper discount
If you get a car insurance quote from another company before your current policy ends, you may get a discount. This can depend on how far in advance you submitted your quote.
Other companies may give you a discount if you sign up for your policy a certain number of days before the policy starts.
Multivehicle discount
Some insurance companies will offer a discount if you have more than one vehicle insured with the company.
| Company | Early shopper | Multivehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | ||
| Farmers | ||
| Geico | ||
| Liberty Mutual | ||
| Progressive | ||
| State Farm | ||
| Travelers |
Note: Discount information from provider websites
Student and professional discounts
Many insurance companies also offer discounts that aren’t related to your driving history or vehicle, such as discounts for students and military members. Car insurance premiums for teens and young adults are generally higher than they are for older or more experienced drivers. However, getting more than one discount can help lower your payment.
Good grades discount
An insurance company may give you a good student discount if you’re a student who gets good grades. Typically, you must maintain a B average or better for this discount, but qualifications can vary between companies. Average savings can range from 10% to 25%.
Away at school discount
You can qualify for this discount if you’re away at school, usually at least 100 miles away, and don’t have a car on campus.
Military discount
Some insurance companies provide insurance to military members and their families only, such as USAA. Other insurance companies provide discounts to current or retired military members.
Affiliation and professional discounts
Some insurers will give you a discount if you’re a member of certain organizations and alumni groups. With Geico, you could save up to 12% if you’re an active or retired federal employee.
| Company | Good grades | Away at school | Military | Member |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | ||||
| Farmers | ||||
| Geico | ||||
| Liberty Mutual | ||||
| Progressive | ||||
| State Farm | ||||
| Travelers |
Note: Discount information from provider websites
Payment discounts
Car insurance companies often offer discounts based on how you pay your bill and when you sign up for a policy.
Automatic payment discount
If you set up automatic payments for your car insurance policy, you could save on your premium. Setting up automatic payments also helps you pay on time.
Paperless discount
If you opt in for paperless delivery of insurance documents, you may be eligible for a discount. Going paperless can also be a faster and more efficient way to receive bills.
| Company | Automatic payment | Paperless |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | ||
| Farmers | ||
| Geico | ||
| Liberty Mutual | ||
| Progressive | ||
| State Farm | ||
| Travelers |
Note: Discount information from provider websites
Other discounts
New vehicle discount
You may earn a discount if you have a new car. New cars often have the newest safety features, which insurance companies like because they make it less likely you’ll need to file a claim.
Continuous discount
If you have car insurance with the same company for a certain period of time without any gaps, you could get this discount. With Progressive, you can qualify for a continuous discount if you switch to Progressive from another insurance company.
| Company | New vehicle | Continuous |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | ||
| Farmers | ||
| Geico | ||
| Liberty Mutual | ||
| Progressive | ||
| State Farm | ||
| Travelers |
Note: Discount information from provider websites