You may think that your auto insurance bill is set in stone. Not necessarily. The good news? Your savings on coverage may just be getting started. The following tips could help you get cheaper car insurance:
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Learn More1. Install Vehicle Safety & Security Devices
While safety features like anti-lock brakes and air bags are now required by law in the U.S. for all new cars, be sure your insurer knows if your older car has such safety devices—it could save you some cash. Security devices may also help you cut your bill. GEICO offers a discount on the comprehensive portion of premiums to customers who install anti-theft alarm systems.
2. Dig For Insurance Discounts
Check out the variety of discounts you could be eligible for on GEICO’s discounts page. For instance, completing a defensive driving course (or a driver’s education course for teens) could also make you eligible for premium reductions depending on your age. GEICO is proud to offer discounts to military members as well as federal employees. Call (800) 861-8380 to speak with an insurance representative about additional discounts you could be eligible for. Or, if you’re looking for a new policy, learn some tips to help you compare car insurance policies and see all of the great discounts you may be eligible for with GEICO.
3. Combine & Consolidate Insurance Policies
Many households with more than one vehicle maintain separate insurance policies for each, but they may be missing out on a multi-car discount of up to 25% on most coverages. Move all your vehicles to GEICO and see how much more you could save.
Depending on the state you live in, you could be eligible for a multi-policy/multi-line discount if you buy more than one type of coverage through the same insurer. Pairing auto and homeowners insurance is the most common scenario, but pairing auto insurance with renters, condo, or mobile home insurance could yield similar results. Get a fast, free quote on geico.com to see how much you could save on insurance by bundling your home and auto.
4. Opt For a Higher Deductible
Typically, the higher your deductible (the portion of your claim you pay out of pocket), the lower your insurance premium. Many people avoid having a high deductible because they worry that they wouldn’t be able to cover it if something happened. To put your mind at ease, try opening a separate savings account just for emergencies. Once you’ve saved enough to comfortably pay potential deductible costs, call or go online to geico.com or use GEICO’s award-winning mobile app to adjust your coverage.
5. Reduce Coverage on Older Cars
Reducing coverage on older cars can help lower your car insurance premiums, especially if your vehicle’s value has depreciated significantly over time. As cars age, the cost of comprehensive and collision coverage may outweigh the potential payout if your car were damaged or totaled. By opting for liability-only coverage or reducing additional protections, you can cut down on your premium costs while still protecting yourself and meeting legal insurance requirements.
6. Participate in a Safe Driving Program
Participating in a safe driving program, such as GEICO’s DriveEasy*, can help lower your car insurance premiums by rewarding safe driving habits with discounts. These programs use a mobile app to track driving behaviors like speed, braking, and phone usage. If you demonstrate consistent safe driving, you may qualify for reduced premiums.
7. Get a Car That’s Cheaper to Insure
Some vehicles—like cars with strong safety ratings, lower repair costs, and less likelihood of theft—are considered less risky than others by insurers, which can result in lower premiums. For example, family sedans, minivans, and some SUVs are often less expensive to insure than sports cars or luxury vehicles. By selecting a vehicle with these cost-saving factors in mind, you can significantly reduce your insurance expenses while still enjoying reliable coverage.
8. Take a Defensive Driving Course
Depending on your age and state, taking a defensive driving course can lower your car insurance premiums by proving to your insurer that you are committed to safe driving. Many insurance companies, including GEICO, offer discounts for completing an approved defensive driving program because it reduces the risk of accidents. These courses teach advanced driving techniques, hazard awareness, and how to handle unexpected situations on the road.
9. Avoid Small Claims
When you file frequent small claims, insurers may view you as a higher risk, which can lead to premium increases over time. Paying out of pocket for minor repairs, like dents and scratches, can help prevent rate increases and keep any applicable claims-free discounts. Although this method requires you to pay for repairs upfront, it will help you save money in the long run by keeping your car insurance rates lower.
10. Pay Your Premium in Full
Depending on your state, paying your car insurance premium in full can often help lower your premium because GEICO offers discounts for those that pay their premium all at once. When you pay the entire premium at once, we save on administrative costs associated with processing multiple payments, and then we pass those savings on to you. Paying in full also helps you avoid installment fees or interest charges that can add up over time.
11. Improve Your Driving Record
Improving your driving record can help lower your car insurance premiums by demonstrating to insurers that you are a low-risk driver. Insurance companies often charge higher rates for drivers with a history of accidents, traffic violations, or claims. However, if you maintain a clean driving record over time—free from speeding tickets, accidents, or other infractions—your insurer may reward you with lower premiums. GEICO, for example, offers a 5-year accident-free good driver discount to promote safe driving habits.
There are even more ways to help drive down auto insurance costs. Check out GEICO’s discounts page to find out more on how to maximize your savings.
*DriveEasy is an optional program that is not available in all states and situations. Premium rates generally will vary based on participation in the program and the driving habits logged by the app. For more information, see the GEICO Mobile User Agreement and FAQs.
*Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. GEICO contracts with various membership entities and other organizations, but these entities do not underwrite the offered insurance products. Discount amount varies in some states. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction may be available. GEICO may not be involved in a formal relationship with each organization; however, you still may qualify for a special discount based on your membership, employment or affiliation with those organizations. Homeowners, renters, condo and mobile home coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. The GEICO App and site received #1 rankings according to Keynote's 2018 Mobile Insurance Scorecard.