Discount Car Insurance: Ways to Save
Discount car insurance is easy to find if you take advantage of available savings. Common car insurance discounts include multi-policy, multi-car, good driver, good student, and occupational discounts. However, the same auto insurance discounts aren’t available everywhere, and the discount amounts can be different. The best discount auto insurance will offer low rates and multiple discounts to bundle.
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Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
UPDATED: Jul 8, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 8, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Car insurance companies offer discounts based on your driving record, your vehicle, and your policy
- Discounts can equal significant savings, especially if you are able to bundle multiple reductions
- Car insurance discounts usually consist of a maximum amount and may only be offered on certain coverages
Finding discount car insurance is a must for any driver looking to save money. One of the easiest ways to save is to take advantage of car insurance discounts. Car insurance companies typically offer a variety of discounts, and drivers can even bundle them for maximum savings.
However, discounts may only apply to one coverage and not to your whole policy. Discounts can also have limits or requirements that you aren’t aware of. For example, a car insurance student discount is only offered to students with a minimum of a B average.
To find the most affordable discount car insurance, shop around. Every company will offer various rates and discounts, so ensure that you compare multiple options to find your best deal.
If you’re looking for discount auto insurance, enter your ZIP code to compare free car insurance quotes from companies in your area today.
What are common car insurance discounts?
There are many factors that affect car insurance rates, such as your age and driving record. Once these components have been calculated, your rates are determined. However, most car insurance companies offer another way to lower your rates.
Insurance rate discounts are offered to drivers for a variety of reasons. However, they are usually based on your driving history, your vehicle, and your policy. Examples include a safe driver discount, an anti-lock brakes discount, and a multi-policy discount.
This table displays a list of car insurance discounts offered by top insurance companies. Available discount amounts are listed as well.
Car Insurance Discounts | Allstate (%) | American Family (%) | Farmers (%) | Geico (%) | Liberty Mutual (%) | Nationwide (%) | Progressive (%) | State Farm (%) | Travelers (%) | USAA (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adaptive Cruise Control | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Adaptive Headlights | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Anti-lock Brakes | x | x | x | 5 | 5 | 5 | x | 5 | x | x |
Anti-Theft | x | x | x | 25 | 20 | 25 | x | 15 | x | x |
Claim Free | x | x | x | 26 | x | 10 | x | 15 | 23 | 12 |
Continuous Coverage | x | x | x | x | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | 15 | N/A |
Daytime Running Lights | x | x | x | 1 | 5 | 5 | x | N/A | x | x |
Defensive Driver | x | x | x | x | 10 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 3 |
Distant Student | x | x | x | x | N/A | 10 | x | x | 7 | x |
Driver's Ed | x | x | x | x | 10 | N/A | 10 | 15 | 8 | 3 |
Driving Device/App | x | x | N/A | x | 30 | 40 | 20 | 50 | 30 | 5 |
Early Signing | x | x | x | x | N/A | 8 | x | N/A | 10 | 12 |
Electronic Stability Control | x | x | x | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Emergency Deployment | N/A | N/A | N/A | 25 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Engaged Couple | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Family Legacy | N/A | x | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | 10 |
Family Plan | N/A | x | x | N/A | N/A | 25 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Farm Vehicle | x | N/A | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Fast 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Federal Employee | N/A | N/A | x | 8 | 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Forward Collision Warning | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Full Payment | N/A | x | x | x | $5 | N/A | x | N/A | 7.5 | N/A |
Further Education | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | 10 | 15 | N/A | N/A | x | N/A |
Garaging/Storing | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | 90 |
Good Credit | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | x | x | N/A | N/A |
Good Student | x | x | x | 15 | 22.5 | 10 | x | 25 | 8 | 3 |
Green Vehicle | x | N/A | 5 | N/A | 10 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 10 | N/A |
Homeowner | N/A | N/A | x | x | x | 5 | x | 3 | 5 | N/A |
Lane Departure Warning | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Life Insurance | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Low Mileage | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 30 | x | x |
Loyalty | N/A | x | N/A | x | N/A | 5 | x | N/A | N/A | x |
Married | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | x | x | x | N/A | x |
Membership/Group | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | 10 | 7 | N/A | N/A | x | N/A |
Military | x | N/A | x | 15 | 4 | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | x |
Military Garaging | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 15 |
Multiple Drivers | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Multiple Policies | 10 | 29 | x | 10 | 20 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 13 | x |
Multiple Vehicles | x | x | x | 25 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 20 | 8 | x |
New Address | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
New Customer/New Plan | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
New Graduate | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Newer Vehicle | x | N/A | x | x | N/A | x | x | 40 | 10 | 12 |
Newly Licensed | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Newlyweds | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Non-Smoker/Non-Drinker | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Occasional Operator | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x |
Occupation | x | N/A | x | x | 10 | 15 | N/A | N/A | x | N/A |
On-Time Payments | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 15 | N/A |
Online Shopper | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Paperless Documents | x | x | x | N/A | N/A | 5 | $50 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Paperless/Auto Billing | x | x | x | N/A | x | $30 | x | $2 | 3 | 3 |
Passive Restraint | x | x | x | 40 | x | 20 | x | 40 | x | x |
Recent Retirees | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Renter | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Roadside Assistance | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Safe Driver | N/A | N/A | x | 15 | N/A | 35 | 31 | 15 | 23 | 12 |
Seat Belt Use | N/A | N/A | N/A | 15 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Senior Driver | x | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x |
Stable Residence | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Students & Alumni | N/A | x | N/A | x | 10 | 7 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Switching Provider | N/A | x | x | N/A | 10 | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Utility Vehicle | x | N/A | x | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Vehicle Recovery | x | x | x | 15 | 35 | 25 | x | 5 | x | x |
VIN Etching | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | 5 | x | x | N/A | x | x |
Volunteer | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Young Driver | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | x | N/A | x | N/A | N/A | $75 |
You can see that discounts may have a huge impact on your car insurance rates. While most companies let you bundle multiple discounts for the most savings, chances are that you won’t be able to qualify for all of them.
Continue reading as we break down the three main categories of car insurance discounts.
How can you get discount car insurance based on your personal factors?
The first way you can obtain deals on auto insurance is based on your driving record. You can save on discount car insurance rates simply according to your performance.
These are some examples of discounts that you can acquire:
- Good driver discount – Every company will have different requirements, but most will reward you for not getting tickets or causing an accident for a certain number of years. The savings are usually between 10%-40%, but discounts will vary by company.
- Student driver discount – Students with at least a B average can qualify for a good student discount of up to 25%, depending on the company. Students will typically need to provide a report card or a transcript to acquire the discount.
- Veterans discount – Active duty military and veterans are offered discounts from numerous car insurance companies. Some insurers, such as USAA, only offer coverage to members of the military.
- Occupational discount – Discounts for certain occupations are offered by some car insurance companies. Some common examples include a health care workers discount, a first responders discount, and an educators discount.
If you use telematics and your insurance company offers usage-based coverage, you may be able to receive a discount for safe driving and low mileage.
Every car insurance company offers its own list of discounts. Although some of these discounts may not be proffered by every company, you can shop around to find the cheapest discount car insurance quotes.
What discount car insurance is based on your vehicle?
According to MyCarDoesWhat.org, many newer vehicle safety features are standard. And many discounts are offered based on these safety features, since these features are more likely to save your insurance company money.
These common discounts are based on your vehicle:
- New car discount – If your car is only a few years old, it is more likely to have accident avoidance systems, such as cameras, to lower accident rates.
- Vehicle safety discounts – Safety systems such as anti-lock brakes, restraint systems, and air bags help reduce bodily injuries and maintain low rates.
- Anti-theft discount – An alarm helps prevent your car from being stolen; therefore, companies won’t have to replace your hijacked vehicle.
Keep in mind that, if you have an expensive or custom vehicle, your initial rates will be much higher since it will be more costly to repair. In fact, if you have a classic or custom car, you will need extra coverage to replace those expensive parts.
Which car insurance discounts are based on your policy?
Your policy itself can also help you save.
Car insurance discounts based on your policy include the following:
- Multi-policy discount – This discount is for bundling different types of policies, such as home, auto, and boat.
- Multi-car discount – You can receive a discount for maintaining all of your vehicles on the same policy.
- Continuous coverage – Allowing your insurance to lapse can result in huge headaches and fees because insurance companies want to know that you are continuously covered.
- Paid-in-full – This discount is applied if you pay for your entire policy up front.
Simply electing to use one insurance company for all of your coverage needs — and paying in advance — can offer big savings.
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What discount car insurance tips do you need to know?
Car insurance discounts can have a significant impact on your rates. However, there are some things to know before expecting a drastic decrease in your coverage amount.
First, not all car insurance companies offer the same discounts. Even though your current company may offer a discount, it doesn’t mean that a new company will as well. Check to determine which discounts are available before switching to a new company.
Second, not all discount amounts are the same. Even if a new company offers the same discount, the amount of the reduction may be dissimilar. Some discounts can be misleading because they consist of a maximum amount. For example, if a discount is up to 30%, you may only qualify for a 15% reduction.
Next, some discounts are only offered on specific coverages, not on the whole policy. For example, your anti-theft discount will likely only be applied to your comprehensive coverage which covers theft.
Case Studies: Discount Car Insurance
Case Study 1: The Multi-Policy Saver
Lisa was looking for ways to save on her car insurance premiums. She decided to bundle her car insurance with her home insurance policy from the same insurance company. By taking advantage of the multi-policy discount, Lisa was able to save 15% on her car insurance premiums. This allowed her to enjoy the convenience of having both policies with one insurer while also reducing her overall insurance costs.
Case Study 2: The Good Student Advantage
Jake, a high school student with good grades, was thrilled to discover that he qualified for a good student discount on his car insurance. By maintaining a B average or higher, Jake was able to secure a discount of 10% on his premiums. This discount not only rewarded his academic achievements but also helped him save money on his car insurance, making it more affordable for him as a young driver.
Case Study 3: The Safe Driver Reward
Sarah had a clean driving record with no accidents or traffic violations. When she shopped around for car insurance, she made sure to inquire about discounts for safe drivers. Sarah found an insurer that offered a safe driver discount, which reduced her premiums by 20%. This discount recognized her responsible driving behavior and rewarded her with lower rates, making her car insurance more affordable.
Discount Car Insurance: The Bottom Line
Car insurance discounts are offered for a variety of reasons according to whether or not you are a safe driver, the types of features on your vehicle, and how many policies you possess. Most car insurance companies offer a multitude of discounts that you can bundle for maxiumum savings.
However, not all discounts are available from every car insurance company, and the discount amounts can also vary. Ensure that you ask questions before you assume that the reductions are similar everywhere.
Before you purchase discount car insurance, compare multiple companies to find the most affordable rates with the best car insurance discounts available to you.
Now that you know how to get discounts on car insurance, enter your ZIP code to compare free quotes from car insurance companies near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there discounts for senior drivers?
Yes, many insurers offer discounts based on factors like age, driving experience, or completion of defensive driving courses.
Can I get discounts with a less-than-perfect driving record?
Some discounts may require a clean record, but others consider factors like occupation or vehicle safety features.
Do I need to switch insurers for the best discounts?
Not necessarily. Compare quotes from different insurers to find the best rates and discounts without switching.
Can safety features in my vehicle earn me a discount?
Yes, installing safety features like anti-lock brakes or anti-theft devices can result in lower insurance premiums.
Are there discounts for hybrid or electric vehicles?
Many insurers offer discounts for eco-friendly vehicles, encouraging lower rates or green vehicle discounts.
Can I get a discount for being a homeowner?
Yes, owning a home can qualify you for a discount as it indicates stability and responsibility.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.