What's the best car insurance for police officers?
Being a police officer can be a difficult, thankless job. You’re often overlooked and criticized, and sometimes underpaid. But whether you know it or not, being a police officer comes with some perks — one of them being saving on car insurance. Let’s explore how police officers can find the best rate.
How much is car insurance for police officers?
We gathered average annual insurance premiums based on occupation. Those who work in law enforcement paid 2% less ($1,512 per year) for auto insurance than the national average. Below are insurance rates for law enforcement officers from some of the most popular insurance companies in the nation.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | $1,142 |
| State Farm | $1,314 |
| USAA | $1,320 |
| Progressive | $1,334 |
| GEICO | $1,383 |
| Farmers | $1,790 |
| Allstate | $1,980 |
With an average monthly rate of $95, Nationwide was the cheapest insurer for police officers. If you're one of the many law enforcement officers with military experience, USAA could be a great option with low rates.
If you don't qualify for USAA, consider starting your search with State Farm, which is about $15 more per month. Use the data above as a jumping-off point in your search, and remember that our driver profile likely does not match yours exactly.
Dynamic auto insurance data methodology
Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.
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Which companies offer discounts for police officers?
Companies offer discounts for police officers — alongside other professions — for what they see as a decreased risk. As a police officer, there’s no one who knows the laws and rules of the road like you. So car insurance companies consider you less likely to file a claim or receive a citation — thus making you a less-risky customer, which is reflected in more affordable rates. Here are some companies offering car insurance discounts for police officers:
- Farmers
- Nationwide
- California Casualty*
- Liberty Mutual
- Country Financial
- USAA
- Travelers
- Allstate
- GEICO
There are a couple of things you should consider about these discounts. First, because insurance is state-regulated, an insurance company might not offer a discount in one state while it does in another. Second, your insurance company will require proof of your profession. Sometimes it requires association membership (with an organization such as the Fraternal Order of Police) or other documentation in order to qualify.
Special offers for spouses of police officers
California Casualty offers a unique coverage option. Known as Fallen Officer/Fallen Hero Survivor Benefit, premiums for the remaining calendar year, and the year following, will be waived for your surviving spouse or partner. Some states (Texas, Georgia, Montana, New Hampshire, and Tennessee) do not participate in this program.
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What are other ways to save?
In any case, you should consider alternative ways to save on auto insurance that exist beyond your profession. Let’s break down some cost-cutting solutions.
Drive safely
As a cop, you should follow the rules of the road regardless of a discount. But, as you can estimate, violations like speeding or DUIs can have major impacts on your insurance premium. So, if you want to stay in the good graces of your employer and your car insurance company, mind the road.
| Accident/violation | Monthly Premium Increase |
|---|---|
| None | -- |
| Speeding 11-15 MPH over limit | $28 |
| Speeding 16 - 20 MPH Over Limit | $32 |
| Speeding 21 - 25 MPH Over Limit | $38 |
| At-fault accident | $64 |
| Reckless Driving | $87 |
| Racing | $94 |
| DUI | $92 |
Bundle all insurance policies
If you own a home or rent an apartment, you should bundle your policy with your auto in order to get what's called a multi-policy discount. This discount, which affects both your home/renters and auto, can save you an average of $79-$149 a year on your car insurance. If you have other forms of insurance, such as motorcycle, life insurance, or umbrella, you can also get a discount by bundling them as well.
Pay smart
How you pay can have a big impact on your car insurance premium. If you pay all of your premium upfront versus monthly payments in installments, you reduce the number of processing fees your insurance company will charge you. Furthermore, if you pay for your auto insurance via electronic funds transfer (EFT) rather than a credit or debit card, you can see some savings as well. On average, policyholders who pay in full save $85 annually, and those who use EFT average $24 in savings.
Consider telematics
Telematics is something insurance companies are starting to embrace. Basically, using an in-car device, insurance companies track the way you drive in order to more accurately determine your premium. Rather than using things like your location or credit score as indicators, this method allows for insurance companies to more accurately price your rate.
Here are some companies that have these programs, as well as potential savings. Consider, however, that your state might not participate in these programs, even if your company is listed below.
| Company | Estimated Savings |
|---|---|
| Progressive SnapShot | Average of $130 |
| Allstate Drivewise | Average of 10-25% |
| State Farm's Drive Safe and Save | Up to 15% |
| Esurance's DriveSense | Varies |
| Nationwide's SmartRide | Up to 40% |
| Liberty Mutual's RightTrack | Average of 5-30% |
| GEICO DriveEasy | Varies |
| Metromile | Varies |
| Root | Varies |
Be smart with your coverages
As an officer of the law, you understand that the only coverage level you're required to have is your liability coverage (unless you have a lien or lease on the vehicle). So, if your vehicle is paid off and the value of your car has depreciated significantly, consider if having comprehensive and collision coverage is financially worth it. If you don't want to lose those physical coverages, consider raising your deductible. Here are our tips regarding if you should reduce coverage:
- First, determine the estimated fair market value of your vehicle using Kelley Blue Book and NADA guides.
- Assess the difference in price between full coverage (comprehensive and collision) and liability-only. If the amount of money you save in premium from losing full coverage is not enough to cover or replace your vehicle (which you determined from step one), keep full coverage.
- If by step two you determine that you need full coverage, consider raising your deductible. By raising your deductible, you can lower your premium. However, by raising your deductible, you lower the payout you would receive if your vehicle is totaled.
Shop around
It’s important to consider that just because a company offers a discount based on your profession, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get a better deal elsewhere. You should shop around for car insurance with as many companies as possible in order to make sure you find the best possible rate. Enter your ZIP code below to get started comparison shopping for car insurance quotes from companies across the US.
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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.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- 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.