Car insurance discounts can lower your rates on average by as much as 27%, but it can be much more than that, depending on your driver profile and the insurance company. Typically, safe driver and accident-free auto insurance discounts net the most savings, followed by car insurance discounts for college students. Price breaks for auto and home bundles, those for certain types of jobs and for customer loyalty also net savings. Here we’ll provide all the car discount information you need to find the most savings.

Discount Average savings
Good/safe driver/claims-free 27%
Accident-free 26%
Student away 18%
Good student 16%
Multi-policy home 14%
Multi-policy condo 12%
Primary use farm 12%
Profession 12%
Loyalty three to 20 years 11%
New car 10%
Higher education 9%
Electronic signature 9%
Paid in full 9%
High-tech safety devices (when available) 9%
Enroll discount for usage-based 9%
Vehicle owned 9%
Daily commute less than 14 miles each way 8%
Driver training 8%
Low mileage under 7,500 8%
Married 8%
Advance purchase (seven to 10 days) 7%
Homeowner 7%
Primary use pleasure 7%
Multi-policy renter 6%
Senior defensive driver course 5%
Electronic funds transfer 5%
Low mileage 7,500 to 14,999 5%
Multi-policy life 4%
Multi-policy umbrella 4%
Paperless 4%
Anti-lock brakes 3%
Air bags 2%
Anti-theft 2%
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How to get discounts on car insurance

Here are the best ways to get a discount on car insurance:

  • Ask your agent or insurance company which discounts are available, and then have the ones you qualify for applied to your policy.
  • Keep a clean driving record, and if you have for the past three to five years, so no accidents or moving violations, you will be eligible for a “good driver,” or “safe driver” car discount
  • Buy your home or condo insurance from the same insurance company to get a bundle discount
  • If you’re a student, earn good grades for a “good student” discount
  • Check to see if your occupation qualifies for an auto discount with your insurer
  • Pay your bill in full, and sign up for paperless or electronic funds transfers
  • If possible, drive less than 10,000 miles to get a low-mileage discount
  • Take a defensive driving or training course to get a driver training discount

Types of car insurance discounts

Auto insurance discounts fall into five general categories:

  • Car insurance discounts based on your profession
  • Car insurance discounts for students
  • Car insurance discounts related to driving history
  • Car insurance discounts related to your vehicle
  • Car insurance discounts related to your policy

 

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Auto insurance discounts based on your profession

Some insurance companies offer auto insurance discounts to drivers who are teachers, firefighters, police officers, engineers, lawyers, scientists or are in the military, among other occupations. The average professional auto insurance discount is 12%, and what you pay will depend on your insurance company and your job. Below you’ll see the breakdown of discounts for various jobs.

Occupation Average rate Rate after discount Average $ savings Average % discount
Scientist $1,814 $1,582 $231 13%
Engineer $1,817 $1,592 $224 13%
Lawyer $1,814 $1,595 $220 12%
Teacher $1,775 $1,560 $215 12%
Fire Fighter $1,818 $1,611 $207 12%
Doctor $1,796 $1,590 $206 12%
Farmer $1,838 $1,637 $201 11%
Civil Servant $1,818 $1,618 $201 11%
Law Enforcement $1,797 $1,606 $191 11%

Car insurance discounts for teachers

Not all insurance companies offer professional discounts. Of those surveyed, we found the following companies offered higher than average professional discounts for firefighters, police, lawyers, engineers, scientists, civil servants, and teachers. Below you’ll see their higher than the average (12%) car insurance discount for teachers.

Company Rate before discount Rate after discount $ savings % discount
Grange $1,626 $1,256 $370 23%
Progressive $1,666 $1,297 $369 22%
Meemic $2,146 $1,859 $287 13%
Geico $1,795 $1,557 $238 13%

Military discounts

Active and retired military members as well as members of the National Guard or Reserves qualify for military auto insurance discounts, generally of about 15%. USAA applies discounts based in part on the person’s military status and rank. A special storage discount (up to 90%) is also sometimes offered to service members who are deployed or otherwise away and have their vehicle stored in a secure location. Other special discounts are available, such as allowing a temporary coverage interruption, with some insurers if a military member is deployed overseas, so be sure to ask. USAA and Geico both offer military discounts and other special services for military members.

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Car insurance discounts for college students

College students get some of the highest discounts, 16% to 18%, under certain conditions, namely if you attend school at least 100 miles away from home and if you get good grades. If you are under the age of 25, go to a college that’s at least 100 miles from home and only drive your parents’ car when home on vacations and holidays, you can earn a “student away” discount. Any student age 16 to 25 who attends school full-time who maintains a grade point average of at least a 3.0, (or other criteria such as being in top 20% of the class) can earn a good student discount.

Discounts for student away at school

A student away at school get a discount of 18%, on average, but it can be much higher. Your particular discount amount will depend on your company, driver profile and state, but you can see below which carriers offer student away discounts that are higher than average. Most insurers offer a student away car discount if your child attends college at least 100 miles away from home.

Company Rate before discount Rate after discount $ savings % discount
Geico $4,556 $2,246 $2,311 51%
New Jersey Manufacturers $3,656 $2,003 $1,653 45%
West Bend Mutual $2,949 $1,661 $1,288 44%
State Farm $2,921 $1,775 $1,146 39%
Union Mutual $3,367 $2,222 $1,146 34%
American Family $4,922 $3,259 $1,663 34%
Grange $2,471 $1,647 $824 33%
Allstate $3,962 $2,689 $1,273 32%
Westfield $3,017 $2,277 $740 25%
Owners $5,106 $3,859 $1,246 24%
Erie $4,152 $3,143 $1,009 24%
Auto Owners $2,632 $1,993 $639 24%
Amica $4,543 $3,444 $1,099 24%
Bear River $4,186 $3,249 $936 22%
Safety Insurance $2,975 $2,334 $641 22%

Discount for good students

The average driver discount for good students is 16%. Below you’ll see companies offering above the average savings for good students. How much you’ll pay will depend on your insurance company, your state and particular driver profile, but you can see that in some cases a student discount can be higher than the average. You will have to provide information to your insurer that documents your grade point average. Generally a good student discount is awarded to those who are under age 25 and maintain a 3.0 average. That means you can get a good student discount if you are still in high school.

Company Rate before discount Rate after discount $ difference % difference
West Bend $3,446 $2,458 $989 29%
Kentucky Farm Bureau $6,059 $4,599 $1,460 24%
Progressive $6,571 $5,074 $1,497 23%
Alfa $6,470 $5,004 $1,466 23%
Shelter Mutual $6,373 $5,048 $1,325 21%
Nationwide $4,458 $3,544 $914 21%
Depositors $4,724 $3,769 $955 20%
State Farm $4,793 $3,828 $966 20%
Allied $4,269 $3,413 $856 20%
Owners $4,237 $3,389 $847 20%
Cincinnati $4,330 $3,464 $866 20%
Amco $4,755 $3,819 $936 20%
Allstate $9,249 $7,529 $1,720 19%
North Star $4,708 $3,843 $865 18%
American Family $3,332 $2,725 $607 18%

Car insurance discounts by driving history

Driver discounts on your car insurance policy can be huge if you have a clean driving record and no accidents. Thankfully, discounts relating to your driving performance, typically over the past three years, are among the most common discounts.

Discount for accident-free

Drivers with no accidents for three years or five years could save an average of 26% to 30% on their car insurance premiums. The amount of time for accident-free auto insurance discounts depends on the insurance company’s criteria. Accident-free discounts may be applied in tiers, so you may get a driver discount for three-years, and then a higher one after five years. 

Insurance companies who offer a driver discount for being accident-free include:

  • Allstate
  • American Family
  • Elephant
  • Farmers
  • Geico
  • Infinity
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Nationwide
  • Progressive
  • State Farm
  • Travelers

Good driver discount for safe drivers

Good driver (safe driver, claims-free) discounts average 27%, up to 30% in some cases. A good driver discount is typically available to those who have a clean driving record and no moving violations for the past three to five years. Here is a list of insurers who offer good driver car discounts:

  • AAA
  • Allstate
  • American Family
  • Auto Club of Southern California
  • Auto-Owners
  • Country Insurance
  • CSAA Insurance Group
  • Direct General
  • Erie Insurance
  • Everest (Arrowhead)
  • Farmers
  • Geico
  • Infinity
  • Mercury
  • MetLife
  • Metromile
  • National General
  • Nationwide
  • Progressive
  • Safeco
  • State Farm
  • The General
  • Travelers
  • USAA

Discount for low mileage

Low mileage discounts average 3% to 8%, but up to about 10%. Savings for driving less depend on the amount of miles you travel. As a result, the average discount varies based on mileage as follows:

Mileage under % average discount
7,500 8%
7,500-9,999 6%
10,000-11,999 5%
12,000-14,999 3%

Below you’ll see how major carriers compare for above average low-mileage discounts

Company Rate before discount Rate after discount $ Savings % Savings
Progressive $1,327 $1,020 $307 23%
Infinity $2,423 $1,954 $469 19%
Farmers $1,065 $899 $167 16%
United Financial $1,908 $1,630 $278 15%
Allstate $2,436 $2,088 $348 14%
Norfolk & Dedham $1,587 $1,374 $214 13%
Grange $1,626 $1,411 $215 13%
Nationwide $2,285 $1,997 $288 13%
Travelers $2,292 $2,019 $273 12%
State Farm $1,488 $1,325 $163 11%
Farm Bureau $1,882 $1,680 $203 11%
Citizens $2,043 $1,839 $204 10%
CSAA Insurance Exchange $2,312 $2,090 $222 10%
Geico $1,612 $1,462 $150 9%

Discounts by car safety features, age and anti-theft device

Generally, insurers give a discount if your car is not more than three years old, has factory-installed safety devices, such as airbags or anti-lock brakes, or that have anti-theft equipment. Below are the details on what you could save on your policy.

New car auto discount

The discount you get for insuring a new car, generally, one that is under three years old, is 10%, on average, but can be up to 23%. Below are rated for top carriers for new car auto discounts.

Company Rate before discount Rate after discount $ Savings % Savings
Progressive $1,327 $1,020 $307 23%
Grange $1,626 $1,411 $215 13%
Amica $4,944 $4,413 $531 11%
Geico $1,396 $1,264 $131 10%

Discount for installing an anti-theft device

Drivers whose vehicles have an anti-theft device or a vehicle recovery system attached to it get an average of 2% off their rate, but it can be as high as 13% or even 23% in some cases, depending on your insurer. Below see the top insurers offering above-average savings for anti-theft equipment.

Company Rate before discount Rate after discount $ Savings % Savings
Progressive $1,327 $1,020 $307 23%
Grange $1,626 $1,411 $215 13%
Financial $6,168 $5,654 $514 8%
Direct General $1,233 $1,170 $64 5%
Country $1,262 $1,208 $54 4%
North Star $2,224 $2,130 $95 4%
Safe Auto $3,141 $3,012 $128 4%
Standard Fire $1,651 $1,586 $65 4%

Discount for having safety features (Airbags, ABS/anti-lock brakes)

Safety features, such as airbags and anti-lock brakes (ABS), net an average discount of 2% to 3% but can be much higher in some cases. Here’s how top carriers compare on higher than average discounts for airbags.

Company Rate before discount Rate after discount $ Savings % Savings
Progressive $1,327 $1,020 $307 23%
Grange $1,626 $1,411 $215 13%
Financial $6,168 $5,654 $514 8%
New York Central Mutual $2,993 $2,747 $246 8%
Allstate $4,961 $4,662 $299 6%
New Jersey Manufacturers $1,728 $1,637 $91 5%
United $3,780 $3,607 $174 5%
Fremont $2,617 $2,506 $111 4%
Standard Fire $1,653 $1,588 $66 4%

Defensive driving or driver training discount

Taking a driver training course could save you an average of 8%, depending on your insurance company, driver profile, and state laws. The course must be state-approved, and usually, you can take just one over a certain time period to qualify for the discount.

Other ways to get car insurance discounts

Bundling auto and home for a multi-policy discount

If you buy your home insurance from the same carrier that provides your auto coverage, you can garner an average savings of 14%, but some auto-home bundle discounts are as high as 30%. Below are higher than average discounts for bundling auto and homeowners insurance.

Company Rate before discount Rate after discount $ Savings % Savings
Vermont Mutual $1,627 $1,075 $552 34%
Grange $1,626 $1,129 $497 31%
Bristol $2,713 $1,893 $820 30%
Progressive $1,666 $1,177 $489 29%
Acuity $1,527 $1,123 $404 26%
Adirondack $2,348 $1,742 $607 26%
Memberselect $2,898 $2,163 $734 25%
Farmers $1,373 $1,026 $348 25%
Southern Farm Bureau $1,827 $1,382 $445 24%
MMG $1,039 $793 $245 24%
Mid Century $2,212 $1,692 $521 24%
Fremont $2,617 $2,007 $610 23%
American Family $1,299 $1,015 $283 22%
Allstate $4,961 $3,883 $1,078 22%
SC Farm Bureau $1,854 $1,467 $387 21%
Citizens $2,537 $2,014 $524 21%
Allmerica $4,048 $3,226 $822 20%
MetLife $2,572 $2,052 $520 20%
Patriot $1,211 $969 $242 20%
Grinnell $2,240 $1,792 $448 20%
State Farm $1,602 $1,291 $311 19%
Safety Insurance $1,186 $957 $229 19%
Oklahoma Farm Bureau $2,451 $1,982 $470 19%
Colonial $2,082 $1,684 $399 19%
Secura Supreme $1,181 $958 $224 19%
Pemco $1,271 $1,038 $233 18%
Mississippi Farm Bureau $1,863 $1,526 $338 18%
American Family $1,585 $1,299 $286 18%
North Star $2,224 $1,824 $400 18%
Hanover $5,040 $4,142 $898 18%
New York Central Mutual $2,993 $2,464 $529 18%
Quincy Mutual $1,517 $1,258 $260 17%
Auto Club Group $2,536 $2,102 $434 17%
AAA Texas $2,079 $1,737 $343 16%
Interinsurance Exchange Of The Automobile Club $2,263 $1,897 $366 16%
Citizens $6,406 $5,385 $1,021 16%
Pioneer State $2,291 $1,927 $364 16%
Palisades $1,613 $1,358 $255 16%
Depositors $1,518 $1,279 $239 16%
Allstate $3,032 $2,556 $476 16%
United Financial $1,505 $1,273 $232 15%
Travelers $2,292 $1,944 $348 15%
American Farmers & Ranchers Mutual $1,926 $1,639 $287 15%
Nationwide $1,798 $1,531 $267 15%
Oregon Mutual $1,051 $895 $156 15%

Multi-policy discount for having a renter or condo policy

You can get an average discount of 12% for a multi-policy discount, or bundling condo coverage with your auto coverage, for renters it’s half that, 6%. The major insurance company with the highest condo bundle discount was Progressive (29%) and Memberselect for renter bundles (25%). Bundling with life insurance or an umbrella policy nets an average savings of 4% for each.

Early renewal discount

Early renewal, also called advance purchase, nets a savings of 7%, but it can be up to 15%, on average. Allstate, Progressive and Grange offer early renewal discounts higher than average for those who pay to renew a policy seven to days in advance.

Loyalty discounts

Keeping your car insurance policy with the same insurer over a number of years also can help you save money by earning a price break for customer loyalty. Insurers reward customer loyalty with average driver discounts of about 11%. You may qualify by having an insurance policy with the same insurer for three, five or 10 years. Amica, State Farm, Allstate, Memberselect and Progressive are insurers who offer more than the average for loyalty discounts.

Paid-in-full discount

Paying your bill upfront, rather than monthly, can snag a 10% average price break, but it can be up to 18%, depending on your insurance company. Progressive and Grange both offer discounts for paying in full that are above average, around 18%.

Car insurance discounts by company

Each insurer has its own menu of discounts, there is no standard among companies. To get an overview of what’s offered, review the information in the chart below. You’ll learn which insurers best match your driver profile for discounts.

Company Low Mileage Multi-Policy Multi-Vehicle Paid In Full Own Home Loyalty Air Bag Anti-Lock Anti-Theft New Car Good Student Teen Driver ed Student Away Driver Training Safe Driver Accident Free Mature Driver Job Discount Transfer From Competitor Start Quote Online/Buy online Early Signing Auto Pay Paperless Affinity
AAA x x x x   x x x x x x   x x x     x x     x x x
Allstate x x x x     x x x x x x x x x x x       x x x  
American Family x x x x x x x       x   x x x x     x   x x x  
Auto Club of Southern California x x x     x         x   x x x                 x
Auto-Owners   x x x     x x x   x x x   x   x x       x x x
Country Insurance   x x     x     x x x x   x x     x            
CSAA Insurance Group   x x               x       x                  
Direct General x x x   x x x x x   x       x     x x         x
Erie Insurance x x x x   x x x x     x x x x   x         x    
Everest (Arrowhead)     x     x     x   x       x   x              
Farmers x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x   x x x x
Geico x x x x   x x x x x x x x x x x x x       x x x
Infinity x   x x x x x x x   x x     x x x   x x   x   x
Liberty Mutual x x x x x   x x x   x x x     x   x     x x x x
Mercury x x x       x x x   x x     x     x       x   x
MetLife x x x       x x x   x x   x x   x         x   x
Metromile     x           x         x x                  
National General x x x x     x   x         x x     x       x x x
Nationwide x x x   x x x   x x x   x x x x x x     x x x x
Progressive   x x x x x   x x x x   x x x x x     x   x x  
Safeco x x x x x x   x x   x x x x x   x x     x      
State Farm x x x     x x x x x x x x x x x                
The General x   x x x   x x     x x   x x   x x x       x  
The Hartford   x x x     x   x   x     x     x     x x      
Travelers   x x x x         x x   x x x x         x x   x
USAA x x x     x       x x x   x x   x x            

Car Insurance Discounts

  • Pay-per-mile policy: Check to see if you can get a low-mileage plan, for example, MetroMile, Allstate Milewise, or Nationwide SmartMiles.
  • Usage-based insurance: Check into a usage-based program such as Progressive’s Snapshot, Allstate’s Drivewise, or Nationwide SmartRide. Those are just a few examples. Most major carriers have one of these plans.
  • Low mileage discount: Ask your insurer about discounts for low mileage.