Car insurance for teachers

Public and private school teachers work long hours during the week, both on-site at schools and virtually to facilitate remote learning. Many education models still rely on some portion of time in a physical classroom, and teachers in the U.S. largely rely on private transportation to get to and from work. Choosing the right car insurance policy can ensure the best coverage at a competitive price.

Best car insurance for teachers

A teacher might want specialized coverage for their auto policy. When their vehicle is parked on school property or at a school function, additional coverage options or limits could help to provide a more well-rounded insurance policy for their unique needs.

California Casualty

California Casualty offers auto policies specifically for educators in almost all states despite its name. In some states, the educators policy allows for a $0 deductible if a teacher or administrator’s car is vandalized or hit while on school property or at an administrative office. A summer pay skip option can also help to meet the unique budget restraints of a teacher’s pay schedule.

California Casualty includes other benefits in its auto policy, including identity theft restoration, if you fall victim to fraudulent activity. Additionally, policy coverage automatically extends to anyone who drives your car, as long as you have given permission. The policies even include up to $3,000 in personal property coverage with no deductible, which can cover such losses as technology or lesson plans kept in the vehicle.

Learn more: California Casualty Insurance review

Horace Mann

Horace Mann is another carrier offering policies for educators. The Educator Advantage® provides benefits such as transportation reimbursement up to $35 if you feel you can not drive home safely. Reimbursement is also provided to teachers for the cost of a replacement car if your new car is declared a total loss by the carrier.

Like some other carriers, the educator’s policy with Horace Mann has a $0 deductible if your car is vandalized, stolen or in a collision while on school property or at a school-sponsored activity. The company offers additional coverage like emergency road service and liability coverage when transporting students in your insured car.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual offers auto insurance savings designed specifically for teachers. A policy with these features added includes several additional coverage options a teacher might find beneficial, including vandalism loss protection, personal property coverage and $0 collision deductible for damage that occurs while driving for school-related activities or business. Similarly, vandalism loss protection offers a $0 deductible for vandalism claims resulting from incidents on school property or at school-related events. Liberty Mutual’s personal property coverage offers up to a $2,500 reimbursement per occurrence if your teaching materials or school-owned property is damaged or stolen while in your vehicle.

Learn more: Liberty Mutual Insurance review

Cheapest car insurance for teachers

Like most people, many teachers want to find the cheapest possible rates for good auto insurance. A solid insurance policy is important for teachers, who need to be able to get to school events as well as drive to school every morning, rain or shine.

Almost every state — with the exception of New Hampshire and Virginia — has minimum insurance requirements. Teachers may want to consider getting full coverage, which also includes collision and comprehensive coverage. This more robust policy will pay for damages to your vehicle up to your policy limits in the event of a covered claim, whereas liability insurance only covers damage and injury you cause to others.

Although your rate will vary depending on personal factors and the insurer you choose, below is a comparison of average full coverage insurance rates based on data from Quadrant Information Services for some of the cheapest U.S. insurers. Keep in mind that the national average for a full coverage annual premium runs about $2,014.

*Only available to active military, veterans and their eligible family members

Car insurance discounts for teachers

As an educator, you work hard for your earnings and you want them to stretch as far as possible. This means not overpaying for your auto insurance. Fortunately, there are multiple auto insurance discounts for teachers, even if you do not have an educator-specific policy.

• Education affinity discount: Some carriers offer discounts if you are affiliated with educator and educational groups. You can often find additional discounts if you are a member of educator organizations such as the Association of American Educators or Association of Teacher Educators.
• Loyalty discount: Most carriers offer additional savings when you remain loyal and renew your policy year after year. You may be able to save even more by signing up for auto-renewal and going paperless with your statements.
• Bundling discount: Almost all carriers offer a bundling discount if you purchase both your auto and home, renters or condo insurance together.

Tips for finding the best car insurance as a teacher

As a teacher, you want the best car insurance coverage for your needs so that you have the right financial protection in case the unexpected happens while behind the wheel. Here are a few ways to get the best coverage at the cheapest price.

• Shop around: Don’t assume that the first quote you receive is the lowest possible one, or that the lowest quote will be the right coverage amount for your scenario. Each insurer has a slightly different method of determining premiums, so you may find a better price with the right coverage by collecting several quotes.
• Consider mileage: Many teachers drive long miles to work and school activities, while others have short commutes or none at all if they are teaching virtually. If your daily commute is less of a factor, consider pay-per-mile insurance rather than traditional coverage, since low-mileage drivers could save significantly on premium costs.
• Reward good behavior: Teachers who are safe, responsible drivers can typically find additional savings. Usage-based insurance uses telematics technology to monitor your driving in real time. If you prove to be a good driver, your insurer can reward you with safe driving discounts on your premium.
• Get the right optional coverages: As a teacher, maintaining the right levels of coverage to drive your car is important in staying financially protected. Consider optional coverage such as roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement, so you can get to school even if your car can’t.

Frequently asked questions

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.