Our top pick: Progressive
- Broad coverage
- Transparent pricing tools
- Accident forgiveness on small claims
- Stack a variety of discounts for multiple cars
The safety features on your car can do more than protect you and your family while you’re getting from point A to B. Most major insurance companies offer discounts for having safety features on your car. While it’s not always a huge chunk of change, the extra savings can make a safer model that much more appealing than a sporty one.
Among most major insurers, safety discounts can earn you a wide range of discounts. Which discounts are offered varies by insurer and location. Compare top car insurance companies that offer safety discounts.
Allstate | Standard safety features | Up to 10% |
Esurance | Standard safety features | 2%–33% |
Farmers | Antitheft protection | Discount varies |
Geico | Airbags, antilock brakes, antitheft systems and daytime running lights | 3%–40% of a portion of coverage |
Liberty Mutual | Antilock brakes, adaptive headlights and electronic stability control | Discount varies |
Progressive | Antilock brakes and standard safety features | 5%–10% |
The Hartford | Airbags and antitheft systems | Discount varies |
USAA | Standard safety features | Discount varies |
Some insurers give smaller discounts for each safety feature, such as extra airbags, antilock braking systems, blind spot sensors or above-average safety ratings. Other companies give a flat discount, typically in the range of 8% to 10%, for having any combination of safety features.
While there are plenty of opportunities to save with safety features, some can be somewhat insignificant when you compare overall rates. For example, you might only be getting a 10% discount off just one type of coverage from one insurer, while switching could save you 50% off your overall rate. Consider your total savings when comparing rates, not just savings from each discount.
First, you need to know the safety features of your car that can earn a discount with your auto insurance company. If your specific make and model comes standard with any of the safety options like seatbelts, airbags and anti-lock breaks, you’re probably in the clear.
Some insurers will take you at your word if they can confirm your car comes standard with safety features. But if certain features got installed after you purchased your vehicle from a dealer, you might have to provide documentation that your vehicle has them installed.
Your car insurance company and where you live and drive can impact which discounts are available to you — as can your level and types of coverage. If you have any combination of these features on your vehicle, you probably qualify for a discount with your car insurance company.
It’s also worth noting that not all safety features are treated the same when it comes to discounts, even if they seem like they ought to be. For example, many insurers will give policy discounts for having ABS installed — but not if it’s an aftermarket modification. This is usually because the insurer can’t put the same level of trust in your local mechanic as it can in the factories of General Motors or Mercedes-Benz.
The safety features insurers include in discounts are designed to make car accidents less likely and to minimize damages if an accident occurs. Because of this, the safety features theoretically save insurance companies some money in the long run, and part of the savings are then passed onto you as an incentive to have those features on your vehicle.
For example, antilock braking systems (ABS) can reduce stopping distances up to 30% compared with previous generations of braking systems, and it can also preserve your steering ability, even when your car is sliding on snow or ice.
All told, you can expect to save up to 10% on your car insurance policy if your insurer offers discounts for vehicle safety features. And while installing a $5,000 ABS system or similarly expensive safety feature might not make sense from the angle of insurance savings, your and your passenger’s safety should be a priority.
Talk to your insurance company about what discounts are available where you live and how they can affect your insurance rates. If your insurer doesn’t offer you the discounts you deserve, compare car insurance companies to find the best deal for you.
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