Can Safe-Driver Classes Lower Insurance Premiums?

Safe-driver classes, such as defensive driving and driving improvement, are designed to improve your skills behind the wheel and reduce the potential for a traffic accident. They teach you how to react faster, spot dangerous situations, and assess road conditions. But can they also lower insurance premiums?

Defensive Driving

Most people take defensive driving after they've been given a traffic citation. It can be used in place of paying the ticket itself, which might reduce the number of points placed on your license. So, in an indirect way, these safe-driver classes will lower insurance premiums.

In some cases, they might be more directly helpful. You can take defensive driving even if you haven't received a traffic ticket, in which case your insurance agent might be able to offer you a discount.

Intensive Driver Courses

There are several different types of intensive driver courses, some of which are available only to law enforcement officers. Others, however, are offered to the public, both to new and veteran drivers. They are similar to defensive driving except they focus more on the practical aspects of staying safe behind the wheel.

In some cases, intensive driver courses might lower insurance premiums, but these safe-driver classes are not as popular or as well known as defensive driving. Make sure you talk to your insurance agent prior to signing up if your primary motivation is reducing insurance rates.

Driving School

It took me three weeks to complete driving school when I took the course, and it was one of the most boring three weeks of my entire life. However, some companies will lower insurance premiums if you take your initial driving school through an accredited organization.

This is an incentive to attend actual driving school rather than taking an at-home course with a parent or other adult. It's a great way to lower insurance premiums if you've got a teenage driver about to earn his or her license, especially since teens often incur high rates.

Senior Driving Classes

As we get older, our senses and our reflexes sometimes weaken to the point where we are not as effective behind the wheel. Senior safe-driver classes help senior citizens develop effective skills for preventing collisions, and can sometimes lower insurance premiums.

In Washington state, for example, seniors who take safe-driver classes can qualify for lower car insurance rates. However, they must take their classes through Department of Licensing-approved schools. If you're going to take this type of class, check with your insurance agent to find out where you can take these courses.

Source:

Washington State Department of Licensing