How to Get Cheap Car Insurance for Safe Drivers | Tips and Discounts

Car insurance is a type of financial protection that covers you and your vehicle in case of an accident, theft, vandalism, or other mishaps. It can help you pay for medical expenses, property damage, legal fees, and other costs that may arise from a car-related incident.

Car insurance is not only important for your peace of mind, but also for your legal obligations. Most states require drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance, which covers the damages you cause to others if you are at fault in an accident. Some states also require other types of coverage, such as personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM), or collision and comprehensive.

But car insurance can also be expensive. According to Forbes Advisor’s research, the national average cost for car insurance is $1,601 annually for full coverage, which includes liability, UM/UIM, collision, and comprehensive. The cost can vary widely depending on your age, gender, location, vehicle type, driving history, credit score, and other factors.

Fortunately, being a safe driver can help you lower your car insurance costs significantly. Safe drivers are less likely to get into accidents, violations, or claims that can increase their rates. They also qualify for various discounts that reward their good driving behavior.

In this article, we will show you how to get cheap car insurance for safe drivers. We will explain how car insurance companies determine your rates, how to find the best car insurance discounts for safe drivers, and how to maintain your safe driving record and lower your car insurance costs.

How Car Insurance Companies Determine Your Rates

Car insurance companies use a complex formula to calculate your premiums based on the risk you pose as a driver. The higher the risk, the higher the rate. The lower the risk, the lower the rate.

Some of the factors that affect your car insurance premiums are:

• Age: Younger drivers are more likely to get into accidents than older drivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens ages 16–19 than among any other age group. As a result, younger drivers pay more for car insurance than older drivers. For example, Forbes Advisor’s research shows that the average cost of car insurance for 16-year-old drivers with their own policy is $8,765 per year. The average cost drops to $6,829 for 17-year-olds and $4,472 for 20-year-olds.
• Gender: Men tend to drive more miles and engage in more risky driving behaviors than women. They also have higher rates of fatal crashes and DUIs than women. Therefore, men usually pay more for car insurance than women. However, some states prohibit gender-based pricing in car insurance.
• Location: Where you live and drive can affect your car insurance rates significantly. Different states have different laws and regulations regarding car insurance requirements and claims. Some states also have higher rates of accidents, thefts, vandalism, natural disasters, or lawsuits than others. These factors can influence the cost and availability of car insurance in your area. For example, Forbes Advisor’s research shows that Florida is the most expensive state for full coverage car insurance with an average annual cost of $3,301. Vermont is the cheapest state with an average annual cost of $1,066.
• Vehicle type: The type of vehicle you drive can also impact your car insurance rates. Some vehicles are more expensive to repair or replace than others. Some vehicles are more likely to be stolen or vandalized than others. Some vehicles have more safety features or better crash test ratings than others. These factors can affect how much you pay for collision and comprehensive coverage, which cover your own vehicle in case of damage or loss. For example, Forbes Advisor’s research shows that minivans are the least expensive vehicle type to insure with an average annual rate of $2,041. Coupes (two-door sports cars) are the most expensive vehicle type to insure with an average annual rate of $3,894.
• Driving history: Your driving record is one of the most important factors that affect your car insurance rates. If you have a history of accidents, violations, or claims on your record, you are considered a high-risk driver by car insurance companies. High-risk drivers pay more for car insurance than safe drivers because they are more likely to file a claim in the future. For example, according to Forbes Advisor’s research, a driver with a DUI can pay $3,114 more per year for car insurance than a driver with a clean record. A driver with a speeding ticket can pay $494 more per year than a driver with a clean record.

• Credit score: Your credit score is a measure of your financial responsibility and trustworthiness. Car insurance companies use your credit score to predict how likely you are to file a claim or pay your premiums on time. Drivers with poor credit tend to pay more for car insurance than drivers with good credit. For example, Forbes Advisor’s research shows that drivers with poor credit can pay $1,513 more per year for car insurance than drivers with excellent credit.
• Coverage options: The amount and type of coverage you choose can also affect your car insurance rates. The more coverage you have, the more you will pay. For example, full coverage car insurance costs $1,601 per year on average, while minimum coverage car insurance costs $565 per year on average. However, having more coverage can also save you money in the long run if you have an accident or a claim.

As you can see, being a safe driver can help you lower your car insurance rates by avoiding or reducing some of the factors that increase your risk and cost. But being a safe driver can also help you get cheap car insurance by qualifying for various discounts that reward your good driving behavior.

How to Find the Best Car Insurance Discounts for Safe Drivers

Car insurance discounts are reductions in your premiums that you can get for meeting certain criteria or conditions set by your car insurance company. Car insurance discounts can vary by company, state, and policy, but they generally fall into three categories: policy discounts, driver behavior discounts, and vehicle-based discounts.

Policy discounts are discounts that apply to your car insurance policy as a whole. They are usually based on how you buy, pay, or manage your policy. Some of the common policy discounts are:

• Multi-policy discount: This discount applies when you buy car insurance plus other policies from the same company, such as home, renters, life, or motorcycle insurance. This is also called bundling or multi-line discount. Bundling car insurance and home insurance is usually one of the biggest discounts you can score, often between 5% to 25% off.
• Multi-car discount: This discount applies when you insure more than one car with the same company. Typical discounts advertised are up to 8% to 25%.
• Loyalty discount: This discount applies when you stay with the same company for a certain period of time, usually at least one year. Typical discounts advertised are up to 5% to 10%.
• Paid-in-full discount: This discount applies when you pay your full policy term up front instead of breaking your insurance bill into monthly payments. Typical discounts advertised are up to 6% to 14%.

Driver behavior discounts are discounts that apply to your driving habits and record. They are usually based on how you drive, how often you drive, or how well you drive. Some of the common driver behavior discounts are:

• Good driver discount: This discount applies when you have a clean driving record with no accidents, violations, or claims for a certain period of time, usually at least three years. Typical discounts advertised are up to 10% to 40%.
• Accident-free discount: This discount applies when you have no at-fault accidents on your record for a certain period of time, usually at least three years. Typical discounts advertised are up to 5% to 10%.
• Defensive driving course discount: This discount applies when you complete an approved defensive driving course that teaches you how to avoid accidents and drive safely. Typical discounts advertised are up to 5% to 15%.

• Low mileage discount: This discount applies when you drive less than a certain number of miles per year, usually between 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Typical discounts advertised are up to 5% to 15%.
• Telematics discount: This discount applies when you use a device or an app that tracks your driving behavior, such as speed, braking, acceleration, mileage, and time of day. The device or app sends the data to your car insurance company, which then adjusts your rates based on your performance. Typical discounts advertised are up to 5% to 50%.

Vehicle-based discounts are discounts that apply to your vehicle features and equipment. They are usually based on how safe, secure, or eco-friendly your vehicle is. Some of the common vehicle-based discounts are:

• Safety equipment discount: This discount applies when your vehicle has safety features that can prevent or reduce injuries in an accident, such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, seat belts, daytime running lights, etc. Typical discounts advertised are up to 5% to 40%.
• Anti-theft device discount: This discount applies when your vehicle has security features that can deter or prevent theft or vandalism, such as alarms, locks, tracking systems, etc. Typical discounts advertised are up to 5% to 25%.
• Green vehicle discount: This discount applies when your vehicle is environmentally friendly and uses alternative fuel sources, such as hybrid, electric, or natural gas vehicles. Typical discounts advertised are up to 5% to 10%.

To find the best car insurance discounts for safe drivers, you need to do some research and comparison shopping. Here are some tips on how to do that:

• Check your current policy and see what discounts you are already getting and what discounts you may be eligible for but not receiving. Contact your agent or company and ask them to review your policy and apply any missing discounts.
• Shop around and get quotes from different car insurance companies. Compare the rates and the discounts they offer for safe drivers. You can use online tools or brokers to help you find the best deals.
• Negotiate with your current or potential car insurance company and see if they can match or beat the rates and discounts offered by their competitors. You can also ask them if they have any loyalty programs or special offers for safe drivers.

By following these tips, you can find the best car insurance discounts for safe drivers and save money on your premiums.

How to Maintain Your Safe Driving Record and Lower Your Car Insurance Costs

Finding the best car insurance discounts for safe drivers is not enough. You also need to maintain your safe driving record and lower your car insurance costs over time. Here are some ways to do that:

• Keep your driving record clean and avoid accidents, violations, or claims. Drive defensively and follow the traffic rules. Be courteous and respectful to other drivers and pedestrians. Avoid distractions and impairments while driving. Check your driving record periodically and correct any errors or discrepancies.
• Improve your driving skills and habits. Take a refresher course or a defensive driving course to sharpen your skills and knowledge. Use a telematics device or app to monitor your driving behavior and get feedback on how to improve it. Follow the best practices for safe driving, such as adjusting your speed, keeping a safe distance, scanning the road ahead, etc.
• Review your car insurance policy regularly and update your information if needed. Check if there are any changes in your personal or vehicle details that may affect your rates or discounts. For example, if you move to a safer area, drive less miles per year, or install a new anti-theft device on your vehicle, you may qualify for lower rates or higher discounts.
• Adjust your coverage options according to your needs and budget. Consider increasing your deductibles or dropping some optional coverages if you have an older or less valuable vehicle. However, make sure you have enough coverage to protect yourself and others in case of an accident.

By following these ways, you can maintain your safe driving record and lower your car insurance costs over time.

Conclusion

Being a safe driver is not only good for your safety but also for your wallet. You can get cheap car insurance for safe drivers by avoiding or reducing some of the factors that increase your risk and cost, by finding and applying for various discounts that reward your good driving behavior, and by maintaining your safe driving record and lowering your car insurance costs over time.

If you want to learn more about how to get cheap car insurance for safe drivers, contact us today for a free quote. We will help you find the best car insurance policy that suits your needs and budget.