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Passive restraint car insurance discounts
If your car has airbags, you could save 30% or more on your coverage.
A passive restraint discount is an insurance discount given to cars with airbags or automatic-locking seat belts installed. Your insurance company should apply this discount automatically when you start your policy or switch to a different car.
How do I get a passive restraint discount?
To receive a passive restraint discount, simply:
- Start your quote, if you’re applying for a new policy. For existing policies, you can update or add a car through your customer account or by contacting a representative.
- Once you reach the car’s information page, enter your VIN or make and model. You may also need to checkmark whether your car has specific passive restraints.
- To see your discount applied, view the breakdown of your quote on the final cost page. Then, you can finalize details and start your policy.
- If you’re updating an existing policy, you might see the savings applied to a specific discounts section of your payment or account information.
How much can I save with a passive restraint discount?
Many car insurance companies offer passive restraint discounts between 20% to 40% off your premium. If your annual premium is $1,300, that means a 30% discount could save $32.50 per month when applied to your premium as a whole or around $6 per month when applied to PIP coverage.
As you can see, the exact discount can vary based on how the company applies it to your premium. Some providers apply the discount to your total premium, while others apply it to the cost of medical-related coverage like personal injury protection. In this case, you might save 30% off your PIP coverage, as opposed to a total percent off your total premiums. That’s because your insurer is assuming a safer car will reduce your future medical claims.
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What is a passive restraint system?
A passive restraint is any car safety feature designed to keep drivers or passengers safe from harmful movement during an accident. A restraint doesn’t prevent accidents. Instead, it’s constantly in use when you’re driving, ready to protect during a collision.
The two most common passive restraint systems are airbags and seat belts. However, you might need more than simple seat belts to qualify you for this discount. Most insurers want to see the automatic-locking seat belts to qualify.
What’s the difference between active restraints vs passive restraints?
Passive restraints are features that protect passengers automatically without any extra effort on their part, such as your car’s airbags. On the other hand, active restraints require a person to perform some action to get protection, like putting on a seat belt properly.
Both systems shield passengers from severe injuries during an accident. Because these restraints help everyone in the car stay safe, many companies offer separate discounts for each that you could qualify for.
Compare car insurance policies with safety discounts
Is the passive restraint discount worth it?
Yes, especially since you don’t have to do much to get it. The passive restraint discount is often applied automatically if you have a newer car.
If you have an older car, it’s likely not cost-effective to add a passive restraint system for the discount, however. For instance, installing airbags in a vehicle that doesn’t already have them will cost more than you can save with the discount.
Does my car qualify for the passive restraint discount?
If your car is newer than a 2000 model, it likely comes with at least front airbags. When your agent inputs your car’s VIN into the quoting system, the insurer’s system may select the discount for you. If you drive an older car with passive restraint systems, notify your agent or select the appropriate restraint system online.
If your car has advanced restraint systems, however, the system may not automatically reveal that. Either tell your agent about the advanced safety features or manually select them when inputting information about your car into the company’s online quoting system.
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How do insurance companies apply discounts to my rates?
Car insurance companies offer many discounts based on different categories. Most people are eligible for numerous discounts, but companies set a limit for how much you can save.
However, the maximum you can have applied varies with each company. Insurance companies use rating systems based on things such as location, age, gender, driving history, type of vehicle and credit score. They then factor in different discounts and come out with a rate, but the final rate will still result in a premium of at least a few hundred dollars.
Bottom line
The passive restraint discount can save you a significant amount on your insurance premium–as much as 30% with some companies. Many offer this discount alongside other safety feature discounts you might be eligible for, like active restraints when using seat belts properly.
Looking for the highest savings for the coverage you need? Compare multiple providers to make sure you’re getting the best value.
Frequently asked questions about passive restraint discounts
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