Does Driving School Help Lower Car Insurance Premiums?
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Completing an approved driving course may help lower your monthly car insurance premiums. Taking driving lessons or defensive driving classes can improve your skills and may help you qualify for insurance discounts. New teen drivers, mature motorists, and anyone looking to refresh their driving knowledge may benefit from completing an eligible course.
But how exactly does driving school affect your insurance rates? Which types of courses qualify for discounts, and how do insurance companies evaluate your completion? In this article, we’ll explain how driving school may help you save, the different course options, and how to determine whether a course qualifies for an insurance discount.
Who Benefits Most from Driving School Discounts?
A driving school car insurance discount may be available to drivers who complete qualifying coursework. However, eligibility and potential savings depend on the insurer, driver, course, and state requirements.
Newly licensed teen drivers and mature drivers are among those who may qualify for driving course discounts. Here’s what to know about each group.
Teen Drivers and First-Time Drivers
First-time and teen drivers generally pay higher car insurance rates because insurers consider several risk factors, including age and driving experience. Completing an approved driver’s education course may help eligible young drivers qualify for a discount. Parents should also understand the steps involved in adding a teen driver to an existing auto insurance policy so they can plan for premiums and ask about available discounts.
Older Adults and Drivers with Past Violations
Some senior citizen drivers may qualify for discounts after completing approved defensive driving or refresher courses. Eligibility can depend on the driver’s age, state, insurer, and course.
Drivers with past violations may also consider defensive driving courses to refresh their knowledge and practice safer driving habits. However, completing a course does not guarantee a lower premium.
Not All Insurance Companies Offer Driving School Discounts
It’s important to understand that not all insurance companies provide discounts for completing driving school or defensive driving courses. Eligibility can depend on several factors:
- Insurance Provider: Each insurance company has its own rules regarding which courses qualify and the discount offered. Some companies may not offer a discount for driving school completion.
- Driver Age: Discounts may be targeted toward specific age groups, such as teenagers or senior drivers, and may not be available for all ages.
- State Regulations: Some states require driver education or defensive driving courses to be state-approved or certified for the discount to apply.
- Course Type: Only certain types of courses, such as certified driver’s education or approved defensive driving programs, may qualify.
- Policy Type and Driving Record: Eligibility can also depend on your specific policy and your driving record and any past accidents or violations.
Before enrolling in a course, check directly with your insurance provider to confirm whether it qualifies for a discount and what requirements apply.
Understanding Different Types of Driving Courses and Their Impact on Insurance
There are several types of driving courses, and their impact on your insurance premiums can vary. It’s equally important to understand whether full coverage or liability-only auto insurance is the right fit for your situation, since your chosen coverage level also affects how much you pay overall.
Teen Driver Education Courses
These courses are designed primarily for new and teen drivers. They may cover basic road rules, vehicle operation, and safe driving habits. Course and licensing requirements vary by state.
Completing an eligible driver’s education course may also help some young drivers qualify for an insurance discount. Check with your insurer to determine which programs qualify.
Defensive Driving Courses
Defensive driving courses are geared toward drivers who want to improve their driving skills. These courses may focus on hazard recognition, accident prevention, and safe driving behavior.
Some insurance companies offer discounts for completing an approved defensive driving course. Eligibility and savings vary, so confirm the requirements with your insurer before enrolling.
Court-Ordered Traffic School
This type of course may be required after certain traffic violations. Court-ordered traffic school does not necessarily qualify for an insurance discount. Its effect on your driving record or insurance also depends on state rules and your insurer.
Who Is Most Likely to Qualify for a Driving School Discount?
- Newly Licensed Teen Drivers: Teens who complete an eligible driver’s education course may qualify for driving school discounts.
- Mature Drivers Completing Approved Refresher Courses: Mature drivers who complete qualifying defensive driving or refresher courses may be eligible for discounts.
- Drivers Eligible Under State-Approved Defensive Driving Programs: Drivers who voluntarily complete approved defensive driving courses may qualify for discounts depending on state and insurer requirements.
- Drivers Without Recent Violations: Eligibility may depend on your driving history and the insurer’s discount requirements.
How to Verify if a Driving Course Qualifies for an Insurance Discount
Before enrolling in any driving course, check whether it will qualify for an insurance discount:
- Check with Your Insurance Provider: Contact your insurer or agent to ask which courses they recognize for discounts and what documentation is required.
- Confirm Course Approval: Verify whether the course must be state-approved or certified by relevant authorities.
- Understand Course Requirements: Ask whether the insurer has specific requirements for course format or instruction.
- Obtain a Certificate of Completion: Make sure the course provides a certificate or official proof of completion that you can submit to your insurance company.
- Ask About Discount Duration: Find out how long any applicable discount lasts and whether you need to retake the course to maintain eligibility.
Other Common Auto Insurance Discounts to Combine with Driving School Savings
Depending on your insurer, you may qualify for other auto insurance discounts in addition to a driving school discount, including:
- Good Student Discount: Eligible students may qualify for discounts based on academic performance.
- Multi-Policy Discount: Bundling auto insurance with homeowners or renters insurance may qualify you for savings.
- Safe Driver Discount: Drivers who meet an insurer’s safe-driving requirements may qualify for lower rates.
- Telematics or Usage-Based Discounts: Some companies offer discounts for eligible drivers who use apps or devices that monitor safe driving behavior through telematics.
- Vehicle Safety Feature Discounts: Some vehicle safety or anti-theft features may qualify for discounts.
Available discounts, eligibility requirements, and savings vary by insurer and state.
Why Completing Driving School Does Not Always Guarantee Lower Premiums
Completing driving school or a defensive driving course does not automatically guarantee lower premiums. Insurance companies consider multiple factors when setting rates, and not every insurer offers the same discounts.
Your driving history, existing discounts, policy, vehicle, and other rating factors may affect your premium. How you use your vehicle may also matter, and insurers may consider factors such as commute distance, route, and driving conditions.
Driving school can be one way to explore potential insurance savings, along with maintaining a safe driving record, understanding whether factors such as your occupation can influence auto insurance rates, and regularly reviewing your car insurance policy for better coverage and savings opportunities.
Start Saving on Your Auto Insurance with InsureOne
Driving school may help eligible drivers qualify for an insurance discount, but available programs, requirements, and savings vary. Checking with your insurer before enrolling can help you understand your options.
When you’re ready to explore your auto insurance options, get a quote online. You can also call 800-836-2240 or find an InsureOne office near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does driving school lower insurance for everyone?
Not necessarily. Some insurance companies offer discounts for completing approved driving courses, but eligibility depends on factors such as your insurer, state, age, driving record, and the type of course completed.
How much can driving school lower insurance?
There is no standard discount amount. Savings vary by insurer, state, driver, and course type. Check with your insurance provider to find out whether a course qualifies and how much you could save.
Do online defensive driving courses count?
Some insurance companies may accept approved online defensive driving courses for discounts. Confirm that a course meets your insurer’s requirements before enrolling.
Can adults get an insurance discount for driving school?
Some adults may qualify for insurance discounts after completing an approved defensive driving or refresher course. Eligibility varies by insurer and state.
How do I prove I completed a qualifying course?
Qualifying courses may provide a certificate of completion or other proof that can be submitted to your insurance company. Ask your insurer what documentation it requires and how it should be submitted.