Best Car Insurance for First Responders

  • First responders pay an average of $1,252 for a 6-month auto insurance policy.
  • Occupation typically has little effect on car insurance rating, though some companies offer special perks.
  • Liberty Mutual, Country Financial and California Casualty offer discounts between 5-15% to first responders.

Use The Zebra to get the best cheap car insurance for first responders from GEICO, Progressive, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and Allstate (+100 other companies)

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The Zebra partners with some of the companies we write about. However, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of editors and licensed agents. Reference our data methodology and learn more about how we make money.

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Senior Insurance Specialist

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as a licensed insurance professional and content strategis…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5 years of experience in the insurance industry
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Insurance Analyst

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…

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  • Associate in Insurance (AINS)
  • Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
  • Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
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Kristine joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer, with a property and casualty insurance license. Before joining The Ze…

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What’s the best car insurance for first responders?

Insurance companies know that a job as a first responder comes with immense responsibility— that's why many provide discounts and perks for auto insurance for people in this field. Liberty Mutual, Country Financial, and California Casualty are the best car insurance companies for first responders, offering discounts for firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs and more. 

Below is how you can find cheap car insurance as a first responder.

Liberty Mutual logo
Best Overall

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual offers dedicated discounts to first responders (up to 12%), thanks to partnerships with the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Fraternal Order of Police.[1,2]

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Best Regional

Country Financial

Serving 19 states, Country Financial rewards first responders— including police, firefighters, EMS, and paramedics— with a 5-10% discount on car insurance.

Cal Casualty logo
Best for Extra Perks

California Casualty

California Casualty offers many benefits for firefighters and EMS/rescue workers specifically. First responders receive special offers on auto, home, renters insurance and more. 

First responder auto insurance benefits at California Casualty:
Extra $500 of coverage for non-electronic personal property damaged in a collision or stolen from the vehicle
Offers an extra $2,000 of coverage for custom furnishings, lights, and sirens on pickups and vans
If your car is damaged or vandalized while parked on or within 500 feet of the fire station where you work, your deductible will be reduced.
If a firefighter dies in the line of duty, their spouse or partner won’t have to pay premiums for the rest of the current policy year or the following policy year.

Compare quotes and find savings on car insurance as a first responder.

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How much is auto insurance for first responders?

Occupation is not often a rating factor in car insurance, but sometimes insurance companies consider your job status and type. On average, first responders pay $1,252 for a 6-month auto insurance policy.[3] See the table below to compare average premiums from top insurance companies. 

🏆 While discounts for first responders are not advertised, Travelers, USAA and GEICO offer the cheapest rates. Please note that only members of the military and their families are eligible for USAA coverage. 

Average Insurance Premiums for first responders by Company

Updating data...

CompanyAvg. 6 Mo. Premium
Travelers $874
USAA $921
GEICO $1,021
Progressive $1,083
Cal Casualty $1,117
Nationwide $1,272
State Farm $1,336
Farmers $1,390
Country $1,447
Allstate $1,733

Source: The Zebra

The Zebra’s auto insurance data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

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Agent insight: Do I need to prove my occupation to qualify for the first responder discount?

"While an insurance company has the right to request proof of any discount qualification, it's not often that they make documentation of your occupation a requirement. If your insurance company is asking for proof to enroll in a first responder discount, a pay stub, credentials, or other identification card should suffice."

Blake Trew — Sales Manager at The Zebra


How to save on car insurance as a first responder

While the insurance companies listed here are a great place to start, there are other ways first responders can find the lowest premiums on auto insurance. An important note: some more insurance companies may offer a first responder discount but do not advertise it— your best bet is to speak with an insurance agent to confirm discount availability. 

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Compare quotes

Comparing quotes from multiple companies is the best way to guarantee you get the best deal on your car insurance. Shopping around at every renewal period is also good practice.

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Bundle your policies

Most insurance companies have multi-policy discounts that apply to your policy when you bundle two or more insurance products under one provider. 

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Consider coverages, deductibles, and discounts

Altering your policy limits, forgoing unused coverage options and increasing your deductible can make car insurance rates more affordable. 

Accessing your first responder perks and discounts:

  • To make the most of potential savings, mention that you’re a first responder when comparing quotes and applying for a policy.
  • Be ready to verify your eligibility. Insurance companies may have specific requirements for first responder discounts and may ask for proof of employment.
  • Ask about other discounts, too. You may qualify for additional savings that can help lower your premium even more

Insider knowledge, trusted guidance.

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Sales Manager

Erick began his insurance career at The Zebra in 2020, starting in an unlicensed role assisting customers before earning his Property & Casualty lice…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
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Digital Manager of Agency

With a 10-year career in the insurance industry, Jordan brings a wealth of experience in property and casualty insurance. He has experience in both c…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Life, Health and Variable Annuities
  • 10+ insurance experience
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Sales Manager

Johnny’s insurance experience began when he joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent, supporting the sales team by servicing policies …

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5 years experience in property & casualty insurance

Frequently asked questions

Why do insurance companies give discounts to first responders? Chevron down icon

Insurance companies see first responders as low-maintenance customers. Police officers' acute knowledge of the rules of the road makes them prime customers for car insurance companies, and they see firefighters as less likely to cause an accident or file a claim while operating a car.

What car insurance companies do first responder discounts? Chevron down icon

Liberty Mutual, Country Financial and California Casualty offer a dedicated first responder discount, ranging from 5-15%

Can first responders get USAA coverage? Chevron down icon

Unfortunately, first responders do not qualify for USAA based on this occupation alone. USAA specifically caters to members of the military and their families. If you are a first responder with a military background, you may explore coverage at USAA.

What is considered a first responder for discounts? Chevron down icon

First responders refer to police officers, sheriffs, firefighters, correctional officers, EMS/EMTs or paramedics.[4] Exact specifications may vary by insurer.

Does GEICO do first responder discounts? Chevron down icon

GEICO advertises discounts for federal employees, military, and professional membership organizations. First responders may sometimes qualify for one or more of these savings opportunities.

Compare car insurance quotes in just a few minutes.

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Sources:
  1. Insurance Archives. Fraternal Order of Police

    Insurance Archives. Fraternal Order of Police

  2. What benefits and discounts are available to IAFF members? IAFF.org

    What benefits and discounts are available to IAFF members? IAFF.org

  3. Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool

  4. First Responder FAQ. Texas Department of Insurance

    First Responder FAQ. Texas Department of Insurance

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 editorial 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.