Car insurance can be costly, but there are a number of ways you might be eligible for discounts on your insurance premiums. Insurance providers often provide additional benefits and savings to specific groups or people who have taken driving courses.
To keep more money in your pocket when you buy car insurance, all it takes is some preparation before calling for a quote and securing a policy. Or, you can have comparison shopping and broker app Jerry
do the work for you. Jerry is an app designed to find you the best coverage and discounts for your specific preferences. We'll offer you competitive quotes from several providers in under a minute, all at the touch of a button. But if you prefer to find the right discounts for you the old-fashioned way, read this guide on how to check for your eligible car insurance discounts.
Check the insurance provider’s website
Most discounts that are provided by car insurance companies are listed online, or may be selectable when you complete an online quote. Check the provider’s website for details about discounts offered.
Navigate to the online quote page on the car insurance provider’s website. Most discounts are listed during the quote process.
Fill out your personal information. That includes your full name and address, your email address and phone number, and your driver’s license number and Social Security Number if requested.
This information helps the insurance company pull up a nearly complete profile on you.
Look for radio boxes to select applicable discounts. These are check boxes, usually found near the bottom of the form.
Insurers may ask if you are military personnel or a veteran, which could qualify you for a discount from certain providers.
Fill out your driver’s profile. This information indicates your past driving history.
Your driving profile includes past accidents and traffic violations. Accuracy is required as untrue information can cause your quote to be invalid or incorrect.
A driver with little to no violations on their record is usually eligible for discounts based on safe driving history.
Fill out the vehicle information for the vehicle you want to insure. The car’s 17-digit VIN number is the simplest way to accurately input this information, although vehicle details can be selected for a quote.
Confirm the vehicle’s options if available. The safety and security equipment are particularly of interest regarding discounts.
Airbags, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stability Control, and an ignition immobilizer device are examples of equipment that can be part of a discount.
View your online quote. Check the information at the end of the quote for details on additional discounts
. There may be additional discounts you can select, if applicable, to lower your insurance premium further.
If you’ve taken a Defensive Driving course
in the past three years, for example, you may be eligible for an additional discount. You also might be eligible for a small discount if you plan to pay your insurance premiums in full rather than month-by-month. Some car insurance providers offer a discount for viewing documents electronically instead of receiving paper copies.
Call the insurance company for additional discounts
Some discounts may be advertised as time-sensitive offers or available in person only, or offered only to certain groups such as unions. To receive discounts such as these, you may be required to attend an office. Call ahead to confirm your eligibility.
Collect your identification or employment information. This is most important for special groups you belong to.
This is the documentation that proves definitively you belong to a certain organization. Examples are union ID, student identification, military ID, and medical professionals.
Call your local insurance agent with your information. It’s helpful if you’ve already completed an online quote beforehand. When talking to them, you can also inquire if there are other discounts you could apply for that aren't listed online.
This step is especially important if your carrier is a local or small business, as their discounts may not be easily accessible through online forms.
You may be required to visit the office with your identification to secure the discount.
Types of car insurance discounts
Student car insurance discounts
If you're a high school or college student under the age of 25, you may qualify for a good student discount. These are attainable by proving you have good grades to your insurance company by report card or transcript.
Military discounts
Another car insurance discount available is the military discount. This discount applies to active military members and military families, and many insurance carriers also offer discounts for inactive members or veterans.
With some carriers, currently-deployed military members can get discounts for their vehicles that aren't in use due to their deployment.
Car insurance discounts for nurses
Nurses and other health-care workers are often eligible for auto insurance discounts due to their profession, especially given their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. These discounts may be contingent on your employer, certain organizations, or more, so you'll need to ask your insurance company if you qualify.
Some carriers that offer car insurance discounts for nurses include Geico, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, and Farmers Insurance.
Teacher car insurance discounts
Teachers are another work demographic eligible for car insurance discounts based on their profession.
Not all carriers offer this discount, and the coverage and discounts offered by the various carriers differs from company to company, so you'll need to confirm with your agent what discounts you qualify for.
For instance, California Casualty's $0 deductible for teachers only applies if their vehicle is hit or vandalized while parked at school. Other carriers that offer teacher discounts include Liberty Mutual, Farmers Insurance, and Union Plus Auto Insurance.
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