When you hear “defensive driving course,” you’re probably thinking that it’s a consequence of having a traffic ticket and trying to salvage your driving record. Taking a defensive driving course can help you remove points on your license, but here’s something you may not know: taking a defensive driving course can actually save you money too.
Many auto insurance companies offer discounts of up to 10% off if you complete a defensive driving course. A defensive driving course (sometimes referred to as “traffic school”) covers all the fundamentals of safe driving. Your course may include:
Crash prevention techniques
State traffic laws
An overview of your vehicle’s safety equipment
General safety techniques
How to behave in the event of a crash
These courses cover many other topics that promote safe vehicle operation. Insurance companies certainly want to encourage this type of education because it helps reduce accidents.
If you’re itching to save some money on your Texas auto insurance, you should definitely consider taking a defensive driving course voluntarily (as in, you weren’t ordered by a municipal court to take it). Your wallet and your insurance company will thank you.
If you’re looking for a defensive driving course in Texas, we’ve got you covered: Aceable gives you the tools to complete a Texas online defensive driving course using your phone, laptop or any other web-enabled device. Plus, Aceable defensive driving is approved by the Texas Education Agency and all Texas courts. It’s the most convenient and hassle-free way to learn defensive driving and get Texas auto insurance discounts.
Defensive Driving Insurance Discounts From Top Insurers
Here are some defensive driving insurance discounts you can take advantage of if you’ve completed defensive driving in Texas. Please note that some of these discounts may require that you be over 50 years old.
Geico
Texas drivers can save up to 10% on their auto insurance policy by completing an approved defensive driving course. Contact an agent at (800) 861-8380 for specifics, including eligibility requirements.
Geico actually suggests that drivers take an online defensive driving course to get a defensive driving discount. They note that it’s the easiest way to learn the course material and complete the class.
Nationwide
The Nationwide defensive driving discount varies, but the average is around 5%. However, there are some eligibility requirements. You have to be 55 or older and have no at-fault car accidents for the previous 35 months.
You can double down on the safe driving savings with Nationwide’s safe driver discount. It gives you an extra 10% off your insurance when you avoid accidents for at least five years.
State Farm
You can get 5% off your State Farm auto insurance policy if you are the principle driver of a vehicle and complete a Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved defensive driving course that wasn’t the result of a ticket.
Other State Farm Texas discounts you may want to check out include:
Drive Safe & Save Discount for drivers that share driving data. The discount starts at 5% and goes up to 30%.
Driver Training Discount for families with drivers under 21 years old that complete state-approved drivers ed.
USAA
USAA not only offers some of the best insurance rates available, they also give you ways to save through discounts. In some locations, USAA offers a 5% discount for taking a defensive driving course. Usually, this is the case if you haven’t been in an at-fault accident or had a conviction in the last three years.
Don’t See Your Insurance Provider?
We’ve only listed discounts from the insurance providers with the largest customer bases. If you aren’t with any of the providers above, don’t worry! Many insurance companies will happily reward you for being a safe driver that goes above and beyond.
Call up your insurance provider and ask if they offer discounts for completing defensive driving. Also, make sure to ask about any other discounts the provider is currently offering. Insurers often give reduced rates to students, military members and first responders.
How to Claim Your Defensive Driving Discount
Once you’ve finished your Texas defensive driving course you’ll have to fax, mail or hand-deliver your certificate of completion to your insurance company. Upon receipt, they’ll process it and apply the discount to your premium. Depending on the discount policies, your insurer may apply the discount retroactively so that it is backdated to the date you completed the course.
Now it’s time to decide what you’re going to do with all the money you save!