Does Driving School Help Lower Car Insurance Premiums?
What if you could save money each month by simply taking one short class?
All drivers must have reliable car insurance. And regardless of who they are or what kind of ride they have, all drivers want to pay less on their monthly premiums. To do so, some of them are going to driving school in the hopes of paying less to protect their automobiles.
But will doing so actually help you get a driving school car insurance discount? How does such a course work, and how are you evaluated? Keep reading to discover the answers to these questions and find out how easily you can start saving.
Who Benefits Most from Driving School Discounts?
First, the good news: A driving school car insurance discount may be available to anyone who completes the required coursework. That means experiencing almost immediate monthly savings. With that being said, some will be able to save more than others.
Who benefits most from this car insurance discount? Generally speaking, young drivers, senior drivers, and drivers with a history of moving violations are likely to save the most. Below, you will find out more about exactly why that is the case.
Teen Drivers and First-Time Drivers
First-time and teen drivers generally pay higher car insurance rates than anyone else because they are statistically far more likely to get into accidents. Because their premiums are so high, these groups stand to save the most by taking a driver’s education course and reducing auto insurance costs.
Older Adults and Drivers with Past Violations
At about 70 years old, drivers have to pay more for insurance because senior citizen drivers statistically get into more accidents. And those with prior moving violations pay more because carriers see them as a proven risk. Both of these groups benefit from a driver’s education course because it can help lower premiums that are already higher than average.
Types of Driving Courses that Impact Car Insurance Rates
Driving school is an easy way to lower your monthly premium. However, it is important to choose a program that is best for you and your needs.
For example, some programs are designed with teen drivers in mind. Others are for drivers of all ages. And each type of program is typically available both online and offline. Below, you will learn more about the different drivers ed courses and which one is right for your needs.
Defensive Driving Classes
A defensive driving class is more advanced and sometimes more expensive. They help experienced drivers of all ages learn how to reduce the risk of an accident whenever they are behind the wheel.
Teen Driver Education Programs
While they may be able to help all first-timers regardless of age, most drivers ed programs are geared toward teens. Such programs teach young drivers the basic rules of the road and are a requirement for getting a full license in most states.
Online vs. In-Person Instruction
Most people imagine traffic school as a place they must physically visit to attend class. While such face-to-face courses are still offered throughout the country, an increasing number of classes are available entirely online. This can be a convenient option for those who have a full-time job or other responsibilities that would make physically attending classes difficult.
How Insurers Evaluate Course Completion
Many drivers want to lower their insurance premiums by attending driving school. However, they may hesitate because they are not sure how they will be graded and what kind of car insurance discounts they may qualify for after taking a course.
Wondering if you will make the grade and how passing the class will affect your insurance premiums? Below, you will discover all the information you need to start saving.
Requirements for Certification
No two driving school programs are exactly alike. However, most of them feature a combination of written exams and driving tests. The written exams are mostly graded objectively, featuring multiple-choice questions with only one correct answer. The road test is subjective, meaning the instructor assesses your performance based on his observations while riding in the vehicle with you.
Common Discounts Offered
The basic driving school car insurance discount reduces your monthly premium because after completing a program, you are considered safer than the average driver. Those with good grades may qualify for car insurance discounts for college students. Also, anyone who adds additional safety features to their car may qualify for a discount because it is more difficult to steal or rob their automobile.
Age and Eligibility Considerations
Different states may restrict who can and cannot attend driving school. For example, certain programs (like those aimed at teens) may have age restrictions. In some cases, drivers may not be able to take a class if they have already taken one in the last 12 months. And in most cases, driving school is unavailable for those with moving violations requiring a court appearance.
When Driving School Might Not Affect Your Premiums
For most, the primary purpose of driving school is to lower insurance premiums. However, there are cases where such courses will not save you money.
If you already have a safe driver discount, you may be unable to further reduce your car insurance rates by attending courses. And if you are ordered to take such a course due to a moving violation, there may be no discount, or the violation increasing your rates may negate the discount.
Start Saving on Your Auto Insurance with InsureOne
Now you know all about how to get a driving school car insurance discount, including what programs are available, what they teach, and why they save you money. But do you know who is ready to save you even more?
At InsureOne, we offer the lowest rates and the best service. When you are ready to stop settling for second best, get a quote online. You can also pick up the phone and give us a quick call at 800-836-2240. And, of course, you can always find an InsureOne office near you.