Best Car Insurance for Teachers

What's the best auto insurance for a teacher?

Being employed as a teacher earns drivers a discount of $17 per six-month policy period, compared to the average American driver. The average six-month auto insurance rate for a teacher is $757 — or about $126 per month. We've outlined below the cheapest car insurance companies for teachers, as well as some other ways to save.

Cheapest insurance providers for teachers

Nationwide offers the cheapest car insurance for teachers. At $1,142 for an annual policy, a Nationwide policy costs just $95 per month (methodology). The next cheapest insurance company for teachers is State Farm. At $1,291, State Farm costs $12 more per month than USAA for teachers. Both companies ranked highly in the car insurers section of The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Bear in mind, this data is an average of rates gathered from across the country. If you’re looking for personalized insurance quotes for your driving profile, enter your ZIP code below.

Occupation-based auto insurance discounts

Insurance companies offer occupational discounts for teachers as a way to give back to the community and reward teachers' hard work, and because educators are viewed as less-risky drivers. Those in fields that are proven to employ less risky drivers enjoy lower rates.

Occupation — like credit score, age, and driving history — is used as a predictor of how dependable a client will be for an insurance company.

Car insurance discounts for teachers

It's no guarantee that every state and insurance company will offer a discount for teachers. With that in mind, let's break down some additional ways to save on auto insurance.

Multi-policy discounts

If you own a home or rent an apartment, you probably have a renters or homeowners insurance policy. If that's the case, you can save money by grouping your policies in what's called a bundle. See below for projected savings via bundling auto with home or renters insurance.

If you don't have a renters or home insurance policy, consider it. They're relatively inexpensive and offer protection for your assets in the event of a major loss, or if you are found legally responsible for damages occurring on your property.

Be smart with your coverage

Unlike a home, a vehicle doesn't gain value over time. Instead, it depreciates in value. If you own a vehicle and the cost of keeping comprehensive and collision insurance is more expensive than the payout you'd receive in the event of a claim, consider dropping these coverages. Determine the value of your vehicle by using Kelley Blue Book or NADA.

If your vehicle is worth less than $4,000, you may not need physical protection. If you need these coverages but are still looking to lower your premium, consider raising your deductible. By raising your deductible, you lower your premium by taking on more financial responsibility.

Be smart with your claims

Another benefit of raising your deductible is that it can discourage you from using it. Insurance experts believe you should only use your collision coverage if your vehicle is significantly damaged. This is because of how your rates can charge after filing a claim.

Most insurance companies will charge you for three years after an at-fault accident or violation. Here's how to determine if you should file a claim or not:

1. Get an estimate of the damage prior to speaking with your insurance company. This is what you would pay out-of-pocket.
2. Consult our State of Insurance analysis to see how much at-fault accidents increased rates in your state.
3. Multiply the rate of increase by three (for the years during which you will be charged). Add this to your deductible.
4. Compare the costs and choose the least expensive option.

Shop around

The best thing you can do as a teacher — or an insurance client in any occupation — is to shop around often for car insurance. Because a “teacher discount” is somewhat rare, you shouldn’t consider only companies offering this perk. A company that doesn’t offer this discount might end up being a more affordable option.

It’s important to consider as many different companies as possible when looking for auto insurance. Only with The Zebra can you search hundreds of different companies — including those offering discounts for teachers.