Best car insurance discounts
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Car insurance is a legal requirement in almost every state, but for many drivers, the cost of car insurance can be expensive. Car insurance rates are personalized to each driver based on unique factors, like ZIP code, age, credit score, claim history and even gender (although some states limit or restrict certain factors). However, there are many ways for drivers to save money on their car insurance policy by taking advantage of insurer discounts.
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Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Types of car insurance discounts
Auto insurance discounts typically fall under a few categories. Depending on what each car insurance company offers, you could earn a discount based on your individual profile, driving history or your car’s features.
Because discount eligibility and amounts vary for every insurance company, it’s important to shop around with different carriers when looking for cheap car insurance. After receiving quotes back, review the discounts and their impact on your insurance rates, and check if you might be missing any of the discount opportunities below.
Driver-based discounts
Some car insurance discounts are based on a driver’s characteristics, such as their age group, profession or membership in an affiliated group. While certain discounts may be applied automatically, it never hurts to ask if you don’t see it.
| Discount type | Potential savings | Who the discount is for |
|---|---|---|
| Young driver discounts | Varies by program | Young drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 |
| Student discounts | Varies by school level and GPA | Currently enrolled high school and college students |
| Military discounts | *Up to 15% | Active and retired military members, and some qualified family members |
| Professionals discounts | Varies by industry | Individuals who are in qualified industries, such as education or health care |
| Organizational based discounts | *Up to 12% | Individuals who are members of or employed by partner organizations |
*This is the highest discount based on our research of top providers in the market. Your actual savings may vary.
Driving-based discounts
Having a clean driving record is generally the best way to qualify for many safe driving discounts, as it indicates to insurance companies that you are less likely to file claims. However, even without a spotless record, there are still many driving-based discounts you could qualify to earn savings for your driving.
| Discount type | Potential savings | Who the discount is for |
|---|---|---|
| Safe driver discounts | *Up to 40%, if using a telematics program and performing well | Safe drivers who have not been in an at-fault accident or received a moving violation conviction. More savings may be earned by participating in a telematics program |
| Low-mileage discounts | Varies based on miles driven | Drivers who do not commute daily and drive very infrequently |
| Defensive driving course discounts | *Up to 5% | For people who are looking to improve their driving skills and reaction times |
*This is the highest discount based on our research of top providers in the market. Your actual savings may vary.
Vehicle-based discounts
Your car’s installed features, such as anti-lock brakes, adaptive cruise control, daytime running lights and safety features, may make driving safer and help you to avoid accidents. Depending on your car insurance carrier, you may earn a discount for these features due to your lower risk.
| Discount type | Potential savings | Who the discount is for |
|---|---|---|
| Safety features discounts | *Up to 5% | Vehicles that have specific safety features outlined by the insurance carrier |
| Anti-theft discounts | *Up to 23% | Vehicles that have anti-theft features outlined by the insurance carrier |
*This is the highest discount based on our research of top providers in the market. Your actual savings may vary.
Loyalty-based discounts
Once you have found a company that works for you, you may earn additional discounts for being insured with the company, especially if you bundle your car insurance with home, life, boat or another type of insurance.
| Discount type | Potential savings | Who the discount is for |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-car discounts | *Up to 25% | Drivers who insure more than one registered vehicle at their household |
| Multi-policy discounts | *Up to 13% | Policyholders who bundle two or more policies with a single carrier |
| Continuous policyholder discount | Varies by company and length of being insured | Policyholders who have maintained coverage either on their own or with the same carrier for several years |
*This is the highest discount based on our research of top providers in the market. Your actual savings may vary.
Other car insurance discounts
We’ve covered the most common car insurance discounts, but more opportunities to save on car insurance may be available. Below are some discounts that all insurers may not offer, but they are worth asking about to see if you can include them.
New policyholder discount
To incentivize drivers considering switching their car insurance companies, some carriers may offer a new policyholder discount. This additional discount may be applicable for the first period of the new policy and eventually fall off.
Married discount
Compared to single drivers, car insurance for married drivers may be cheaper. Based on our analysis of average premium data from Quadrant Information Services, single drivers pay an average of $1,771 per year for full coverage car insurance, while married drivers pay around $1,668 per year.
Homeowner discount
As homeowners are generally more financially stable than renters, they may be able to receive a discount on their car insurance due to having a lower likelihood of needing to file claims. If your insurance company doesn’t offer home insurance, making a multiple policy discount unavailable, you can ask if a homeowner discount is available.
Billing discounts
Depending on your billing and payment method, you may be able to earn more discounts on your policy. The most commonly seen are paperless billing, automatic billing and paid-in-full discount, but check with your insurance agent to see if there may be anything unique to your company that you can participate in.
How to find the best car insurance discounts
Shopping for car insurance can be an involved process. You may be considering how much car insurance you need, what coverage options to include and which carrier will give you the most competitive premium. Knowing the available discount opportunities and taking advantage of them could make a huge difference in finding the best car insurance policy within your budget. Below are some tips on finding car insurance discounts:
- Research a carrier website. This could be the easiest way to get an idea of what discount opportunities are available and if any could apply to you.
- Ask a licensed agent. Because most websites for large insurance companies provide general information, there may be additional discounts specific to your state. A licensed agent will be your best resource in this case.
- Talk to friends or family: Referrals are a great way to find an insurance company that offers generous discounts. Ask your friends and family if they are able to take advantage of discounts through their insurance company to see if that provider might be a good option for you.
