Updated: January 18, 2026
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Defensive driver discounts save most drivers $50 to $200 per year. With courses costing $20 to $100, you'll break even within 6 months.
Defensive driver discounts range from 5 to 15 percent and last 3 years before you'll need to retake the course. Eligibility and discount amounts vary by company and state.
A defensive driving discount reduces your car insurance cost after you complete a state-approved safety course. The discount rewards you for voluntarily taking a course that teaches safe driving techniques and helps you avoid accidents.
Most major car insurers offer a defensive driver discount, but the specifics vary by company and state. We reviewed official insurance company websites to give you defensive driver discount amounts, age requirements, and eligibility rules.
Allstate | 5 to 10% | Varies by state | Does not advertise percentage publicly; typical range estimated |
American Family | 5 to 10% | 55+ in qualifying states | Available in select states only; varies by location |
Amica | 5 to 10% | Varies by state | Partnered with DriveSafe and National Safety Council |
GEICO | 10 to 15% | 50+ (varies by state) | Minnesota offers 12%, Idaho and Arizona offer 10%; varies by state |
Liberty Mutual | 5 to 10% | Varies by state | Offers accident prevention course discount; varies by state |
Progressive | 5 to 15% | Varies by state | Available in 34 states and Washington D.C.; often combines with Snapshot telematics program |
State Farm | 5 to 15% | All ages | Varies significantly by state; NY is 10%, Minnesota is 10%, Washington is 5% |
The Hartford | Up to 5% | All ages | Often used for AARP Auto Insurance programs; consistent across states |
Travelers | 5 to 10% | Varies by state | Driver training discount available; estimated range based on industry data |
Important note about defensive driver discount ranges: Many insurers don't publish exact discount percentages by state, so the ranges shown represent typical savings based on available information and may vary. Some companies like USAA focus on alternative programs such as telematics instead of traditional defensive driver discounts.
Defensive driver courses cover traffic laws, hazard recognition, safe following distances, collision avoidance techniques, distracted driving risks, and vehicle safety features. Most courses take 4 to 8 hours to complete and can be taken online or in person. You'll need to pass a final test, usually requiring a score of 70 to 80 percent depending on the course, to earn your certificate.
The actual dollar savings of your defensive driver discount depends on two factors: your current policy cost and your insurer's discount percentage. Here are real examples of how much you can save:
Example 1: $1,500 annual car insurance cost with 10% discount
Example 2: $2,000 annual car insurance cost with 15% discount
Drivers save enough to offset their defensive driver course cost within about 6 months. The remaining 2.5 years of the discount period is pure savings on your car insurance.
Call your insurer or check your account to confirm they offer the discount and learn their specific requirements.
Visit your state's DMV website to find approved providers. Popular courses that qualify for defensive driver discounts include:
Call your insurer to confirm they'll accept the specific course before you enroll.
Online defensive driver courses cost $20 to $50 and take 4 to 8 hours to complete at your own pace from home. Most are mobile-friendly and available 24/7, so you can stop and resume as needed.
In-person defensive driver courses cost $50 to $100 and are typically completed in a single day with face-to-face instruction. You'll need to schedule around specific class times and locations.
Submit your certificate of completion along with a discount application form and driver's license information to your insurance company. The discount appears within 2 to 4 weeks.
Defensive discounts remain active for 3 years for most insurers. To keep your savings, set a calendar reminder 2 to 3 months before expiration, retake the approved course before your discount expires, avoid accidents and traffic violations, and submit your new certificate promptly after completion.
If you do not qualify for a defensive driving discount, there are other discounts automatically applied to safe drivers such as a three year safe driver discount and accident free discount. Most Insurance companies will apply these automatically to the insurance policy after running the Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), if it comes back clean.
Other driving programs that can lead to extra savings are the programs such as SnapShot, Intelli Drive, Dynamic Drive, etc. Insurance companies are starting to push for drivers to use these driving apps to help personalize their insurance premiums and save additional money on their car insurance. The initial step in the program saves you 10% off of the premium and at your renewal offer you could earn up to 30% off depending on how well you did. These programs are the most beneficial, and money saving programs that Insurance companies are offering very great discounts for completing.
Ask a question, it’s free
Ask an expertMoneyGeek answers common questions to help you better understand defensive driving courses and discounts.
No. Insurers require that you take the course voluntarily, not as a result of a court order or traffic ticket. If you need to take a course for legal reasons, you'll need to take a separate voluntary course to earn the insurance discount.
Being a defensive driver can save you money and save lives. The following resources can help you learn more about driver safety, the best insurance coverage, how to avoid road dangers and more.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
