Auto insurance for drivers with good records: what to know
No matter which car insurance companies you're considering, having a good driving record can save you money on your insurance premium. Because of your good driving and claims history, you’re the ideal candidate for an insurance company. Still, you’re probably paying more for auto insurance than you might like.
Let’s assess the best cheap car insurance companies for good drivers and review some ways to save.
Car insurance companies for good drivers
Even if you’re a good driver, your premium will vary depending on the company you select. Because insurance companies use different algorithms to determine your premium, there will always be some difference in price between companies.
In order to determine which is the best cheap car insurance company for a driver with a good record, we surveyed rates from major carriers across the U.S. (methodology).
INSURANCE RATES FOR DRIVERS WITH NO ACCIDENTS
| Company | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $106 |
| State Farm | $117 |
| GEICO | $142 |
| Progressive | $147 |
| Nationwide | $149 |
| Farmers | $177 |
| Allstate | $211 |
| Liberty Mutual | $215 |
Auto insurance data methodology
The auto insurance rates published in this guide are based on the results of The Zebra's State of Insurance car insurance pricing analysis. This analysis of more than 83 million insurance rates spans every U.S. ZIP code, using a sample user profile: a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord, good credit and full coverage at these levels:
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per incident for bodily injury liability
- $50,000 per incident for property damage liability
- $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage
To generate pricing for particular rating factors, we adjusted the driving profile based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies. These factors include credit score, coverage level, driving record and others.
In some instances, average rates from Liberty Mutual were derived from internally sourced sales data.
USAA and State Farm offer the cheapest car insurance rates for good drivers. However, your rates may vary from company to company. So be sure to get insurance quotes online.
Use the above data as a reference point and compare as many companies as possible to find the best price.
Compare car insurance quotes and find a policy in minutes.
Car insurance discounts for good drivers: company-by-company list
No matter how safe a driver you are, you might be paying more than you want for car insurance.
Review the below list of good driver insurance discounts from top insurance companies for a headstart on savings.
Allstate
Allstate has a couple of options for safe drivers, only one of which is available without a paid policy upgrade. The free "Allstate Rewards" program allows drivers to earn points for good driving habits, available for redemption on commercial items such as designer products, gift cards and more.
GEICO
If you’ve been collision-free for five years, GEICO offers an Accident-Free Good Driver discount. According to their website, this could amount to 26% in savings. They also offer a discount on your medical payments and personal injury protection coverages. These coverages, which are required in some states, cover medical costs after a vehicular collision for you and your passengers. This discount is also available if you have never been ticketed for driving without a seatbelt. This discount can reduce the premium on your medical payments coverage by as much as 15%.
Farmers
Farmers offers a “Safe Driver Discount,” but doesn’t specify much else. If you’re interested in a safe driving discount and you’re a Farmers customer, speak with your agent about your options.
Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual offers a good driver discount through its telematics program, RightTrack. This program, which we will discuss in more detail below, is considered a part of usage-based insurance. Through RightTrack with Liberty Mutual, safe drivers are expected to save up to 30% based solely on the way you drive.
Nationwide
Like GEICO, Nationwide rewards drivers who have been accident-free for five years with a 10% safe driving discount. In order to qualify, you must not have any accidents or major violations on your driver profile. However, it’s a little unclear what falls into the category of major violations. So, if you’re a Nationwide customer, it’s best to ask a customer service representative for more details.
Progressive
Like Liberty Mutual, Progressive’s safe driver savings option is in the form of a usage-based insurance policy. While it can vary based on many factors, Progressive advertises you could save $130 every six months.
State Farm
State Farm offers an Accident-Free Discount if you’ve been insured by State Farm for three years without a chargeable incident. The phrase, “chargeable incident,” refers to claims, violations or tickets that would increase your premium. Parking tickets would not count as a chargeable incident, but a speeding ticket, DUI conviction or claim would impact your premium.
USAA
USAA offers a discount for drivers with five years of incident-free driving. For additional details, speak with your USAA agent.
How to save on insurance: tips
Just because you’re a good driver with a clean driving record doesn't mean your insurance premiums are affordable. If you’re looking for additional ways to save as a good driver, we have some suggestions for keeping your insurance costs low.
Telematics
Telematics — or usage-based insurance — incorporates a plug-in device that monitors your driving in order to more accurately calculate your premium. Your insurance premiums are a reflection of the kind of risk you will present to your insurance company and by monitoring the way you drive, they have a better idea of who you really are behind the wheel.
Be smart with claims
By being smart with your claims, you’re basically continuing with a practice you’ve already established. Meaning, you probably consider yourself a good driver because you do not have any claims or violations on your insurance history. Still, if you do get into a situation where you’re thinking about filing a claim after a collision, consider our suggestions before you potentially lose any good driving discounts.
Take a defensive driving course
While the rate decrease may be small, car insurance companies do like to see motorists work to improve their driving skills, with many offering discounts for those who take a safe driving course. Taking a classroom or online course can help you learn better driving techniques while simultaneously working to lower your insurance rates.
You can learn safe driving tips that can help you better understand traffic laws and react defensively to the behavior of other drivers.
Compare rates
It’s important to consider the breadth of the term “good driver.” There are many rating factors that make up your driving profile, things that are and are not related to how you drive. The only true way to determine if you’re getting the absolute best rate for you is to get as many car insurance quotes as possible.
Quick tip
Choose the right coverage
Being smart with your coverage refers to the unfortunate truth that vehicles lose value over time and thus no longer need the same coverage as newer vehicles. By coverage, we aren’t referring to your state-required liability insurance but your collision and comprehensive coverages. These coverages are optional but are generally a good idea if you have a nice vehicle. If, however, you have an older model, you might be paying for coverage you don’t need.
While there is an exact science to this determination, most insurance experts recommend reevaluating your “full coverage” needs if your vehicle is worth less than $4,000. You can determine the value of your vehicle through NADA and Kelley Blue Book.
Compare quotes and find the perfect policy for you.
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
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The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
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The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
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The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
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The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.