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Laura Longero
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Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
Question: Will Geico provide me a safe driver discount if I complete the AARP driver safety program? I previously attended the course given by the AAA. And, if Geico does acknowledge and accept AARP’s course, will the level of discount be the same as that of AAA?
Answer: You can only get one discount for taking a driver improvement course or defensive driving class with Geico or other car insurance companies. Insurance companies’ discounts vary, so you likely won’t get the exact same discount among different insurers.
If the discount period for taking an AAA driver improvement course is over and you want to retain that discount, then you will need to check with your Geico agent to see if the AARP driver safety program is accepted for a discount in your state. The driver improvement courses accepted by Geico for a discount vary by state.
Geico discounts for defensive driver classes
Geico generally offers discounts to policyholders who successfully complete a driver improvement or defensive driver class and meet certain other requirements. In most states, you must be 50 or 55 years of age before the discount can be applied for taking a driver safety class.
Geico accepts AAA and AARP courses in some states for a discount. They are listed differently on the Geico application as there are different qualifications to comply with for the discounts.
Geico will apply a safe driver discount to your car insurance policy in many states if you meet all criteria required and successfully complete a driver improvement course. Here are a few examples from various states of the types of classes accepted and the discount you can get:
- If you live in California, Geico says you could save up to 5% on applicable coverages by taking a defensive driving course. In California, to be eligible for this discount, you must have voluntarily completed a defensive driving course meeting the standards established by the National Safety Council (NSC).
- Florida drivers can save up to 10% on applicable coverages by voluntarily completing a defensive driving course that meets the standards established by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Online defensive driving courses offered by the National Safety Council and the American Safety Council (United Safety Council) will work in Florida.
- In Texas, you can save up to 10% if you have voluntarily completed a Defensive Driver Course, Professional Driver Course, or Instructor’s Course approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), including the State Board of Education or the Commissioner of Education, the National Safety Council and/or the American Safety Council.
- In Pennsylvania, to get up to a 10% discount, you have to voluntarily complete a defensive driving course meeting the standards established by the PA Department of Transportation.
Many auto insurance companies also offer a good driver discount that you might qualify for.
— Michelle Megna contributed to this story.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
Geico. “Defensive driver discount by state.” Accessed January 2023.
Florida Car Insurance Rates by ZIP Code
Enter ZIP for average rate. Then enter Age, Gender and Coverage Level for customized rate.
State Minimum: Required liability coverage to drive legally in your state; some states mandate additional coverage, such as personal injury protection, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist. Liability Only 50/100/50: $50,000 per person/$100,000 maximum per accident for bodily injury; $50,000 for property damage. Liability pays for injuries/damage you cause others. Full Coverage 100/300/100: $100,000 per person/$300,000 maximum per accident for bodily injury; $100,000 for property damage; comprehensive and collision coverage with $500 deductible. Liability pays for injuries/damage you cause others. Comprehensive and collision pay for damage to your car.
33315 Fort Lauderdale
For 30 Year Old Male (Type: Liability - Minimum )
Average Monthly Premium
$91
Highest Rate $129/mo.
Lowest Rate $47/mo.
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MOST & LEAST EXPENSIVE ZIP CODES in Florida
| MOST EXPENSIVE PER MONTH |
|---|
| 33012 - Hialeah: $128 |
| 33135 - Miami: $128 |
| 33013 - Hialeah: $128 |
| 33125 - Miami: $127 |
| LEAST EXPENSIVE PER MONTH |
|---|
| 32425 - Bonifay: $53 |
| 32440 - Graceville: $53 |
| 32431 - Cottondale: $53 |
| 32428 - Chipley: $53 |
Methodology
How we researched it?
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to provide a report of average auto insurance rates for a 2017 Honda Accord for nearly every ZIP code in the United States. We calculated rates using data for up to six large carriers. Averages for the default result are based monthly insurance for a male driver, age 30, for state minimum required liability coverage. Averages for customized rates are based on drivers’ ages and gender for the following coverage levels: state minimum liability, liability of 50/100/50 and 100/300/100 with $500 deductible on comprehensive and collision. These hypothetical drivers have clean records and good credit. Average rates are for comparative purposes. Your own rate will depend on your personal factors and vehicle.
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Laura Longero
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Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
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Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
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Learn more about defensive driving
- How can I find out when I last took a defensive driving course?
- Will traffic school get me a discount?
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Prachi Singh
Contributing Writer
Prachi is an insurance writer with a master’s degree in business administration. Through her writing, she hopes to help readers make smart and informed decisions about their finances. She loves to travel and write poetry.
