Good Driver Discount is probably the most well known discount from auto insurers. While car insurance companies do have many different car insurance discounts few can save as much money on car insurance premiums as the Good Driver Discount (GDD).
Drivers convicted of speeding violations, DUI charges and other reckless traffic violations get higher car insurance rates but good drivers are always rewarded with lower premiums … but what exactly is a good driver?
The Good Driver Discount
Car insurance companies base premiums on risk and the formula for assessing risk (a driver’s potential risk to file a future claim) is heavily based on personal driving records. Drivers with a clean record will automatically get lower rates while high risk drivers will see increased premiums and possibly even be denied coverage.
“A good driver discount is usually applied when an applicant has a three (3) year accident and ticket free driving history”
Parking tickets do not count but any type of speeding ticket, running a red light, driving with no insurance or other type of moving traffic violation will certainly count negatively towards your profile. Some car insurance companies do allow a single event in a three year period however this single exclusion is usually limited to speeding tickets where the speed was not considered excessive and to existing customers.
If you are shopping around for new car insurance and have had a ticket or other kind of “bad driver” spot on your driving record in the last 3 years then the only places you might still get a good driver discount is your present auto insurance company and a limited number of other providers.
The Preferred Risk Driver
Good Drivers actually have a formal label in the auto insurance industry defined as “preferred risk drivers”. The ideal profile for a preferred risk driver is:
Over 25: Drivers over 25 with a driving license for more than 5 yearsSpotless Driving Record (3 Years): Driving record free of car accidents, tickets and moving violations for at least the past three or more yearsGreat Credit: Credit scores higher than the national average for your zip codeGood Citizens: Drivers with no convictions for vehicle related crimesDefensive Drivers Course*: Depends on the car insurance companyHow much are Good Driver Discounts?
This will depend entirely on your car insurer but many consumers report savings between 10-20% off standard car insurance premiums with the GDD discount. In fact, when a driver loses a good driver discount its only then they realize how much standard car insurance rates really are.
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