Does Advanced Driving Course Lower Insurance
It can, but only if your insurer offers the discount and you give them proof you finished.
Usually, but you have to ask for it
Taking the course doesn't lower your rate by itself. Your insurer has to offer a discount for it, and you have to send them the completion certificate. Some insurers apply it automatically once you submit the paperwork. Others need you to call and ask.
Whether it helps at all depends on your state and your insurer. Some states require insurers to offer a discount for approved courses. Others leave it up to the company. Call your insurer before you sign up for a course and ask whether they recognize it and how much it's worth to your policy.
Whether your state requires the discount
Some states have a law that says insurers must offer a discount to drivers who complete an approved course. In those states, the course almost always lowers your premium by some amount, as long as the course is on the approved list.
In states without that law, the discount is up to the insurer. Some still offer it. Some don't offer it at all for your age group, even though they offer it for younger drivers taking a different kind of course.
Ask your state's department of insurance or your agent whether your state requires this discount. If it does, ask which courses qualify, because not every course on the market counts.
If your state doesn't require it, ask your own insurer directly. Don't assume the course will help just because a friend got a discount from a different company.
Sending in the certificate
Finishing the course isn't the last step. Your insurer needs the certificate before they'll apply anything to your policy. Most courses give you a certificate right after the final test, either on paper or as a download.
Send it to your insurer as soon as you get it. Some companies have a portal for this. Others want it mailed or emailed to your agent. Ask which one they use before you finish the course so you're not guessing afterward.
The discount usually isn't retroactive. If you wait months to send the certificate, you likely lose that time at the higher rate. Send it the same week you finish.
Some insurers also want the certificate renewed periodically, since the discount doesn't always last for the life of the policy. Ask your insurer whether this one is a one-time discount or something you'll need to repeat.
Questions people ask about this
How long does an advanced driving course discount last?
That depends on your insurer. Some apply the discount for a set period and then ask you to retake the course or resubmit proof. Others leave it in place as long as you stay with them. Ask your insurer directly how long the discount lasts and what renews it.
Does an online advanced driving course count for the discount?
Some insurers accept online courses and some don't. It also depends on whether your state only recognizes in-person courses for the discount. Ask your insurer which format they accept before you register for one.
Will the course discount apply if I already have a violation on my record?
The course discount and a violation are usually treated separately. The course may still lower your rate, but the violation can raise it at the same time, so the two don't cancel each other out. Ask your insurer how each one affects your premium.
Can I take the course again to renew the discount?
In many cases yes, since some insurers ask for a refresher course after a certain period. Whether retaking it renews your discount depends on your insurer's rules. Ask them directly rather than assuming the first course covers you indefinitely.
Does every insurer offer the same discount for the same course?
No. Each insurer sets its own amount, if it offers one at all, even for the same approved course. This is one of the reasons it's worth comparing quotes after you finish the course, not just before.
See which insurers give you credit for the course before you commit to one.
Call your insurer this week and ask two things: whether they offer a discount for an advanced driving course, and which courses qualify. If your state requires the discount, ask your agent to confirm that in writing. Once you pick a course, find out exactly how they want the certificate sent, portal, email, or mail, so you're not stuck guessing after you finish. Send the certificate the same week you get it rather than letting it sit. If your current insurer doesn't offer much for the course, that's worth knowing before you renew, since another insurer might value it more.
