You may think that your auto insurance bill is set in stone. Not necessarily. The good news? Your savings on coverage may just be getting started. The following tips could help you get cheaper car insurance:
Install Vehicle Safety & Security Devices
While safety features like anti-lock brakes and air bags are now required by law in the U.S. for all new cars, be sure your insurer knows if your older car has such safety devices—it could save you some cash. Security devices may also help you cut your bill. GEICO offers a discount on the comprehensive portion of premiums to customers who install anti-theft alarm systems.
Dig For Insurance Discounts
Check out the variety of discounts you could be eligible for on GEICO’s discounts page. For instance, completing a defensive driving course (or a driver’s education course for teens) could also make you eligible for premium reductions depending on your age. GEICO is proud to offer discounts to military members as well as federal employees. Call (800) 861-8380 to speak with an insurance representative about additional discounts you could be eligible for. Or, if you’re looking for a new policy, learn some tips to help you compare car insurance policies and see all of the great discounts you may be eligible for with GEICO.
Combine & Consolidate Insurance Policies
Many households with more than one vehicle maintain separate insurance policies for each, but they may be missing out on a multi-car discount of up to 25% on most coverages. Move all your vehicles to GEICO and see how much more you could save.
Depending on the state you live in, you could be eligible for a multi-policy/multi-line discount if you buy more than one type of coverage through the same insurer. Pairing auto and homeowners insurance is the most common scenario, but pairing auto insurance with renters, condo, or mobile home insurance could yield similar results. Get a fast, free quote on geico.com to see how much you could save on insurance by bundling your home and auto.
Opt For a Higher Deductible
Typically, the higher your deductible (the portion of your claim you pay out of pocket), the lower your insurance premium. Many people avoid having a high deductible because they worry that they wouldn’t be able to cover it if something happened. To put your mind at ease, try opening a separate savings account just for emergencies. Once you’ve saved enough to comfortably pay potential deductible costs, call or go online to geico.com or use GEICO’s award-winning mobile app to adjust your coverage.
Reduce Coverage on Older Cars
Reducing coverage on older cars can help lower your car insurance premiums, especially if your vehicle’s value has depreciated significantly over time. As cars age, the cost of comprehensive and collision coverage may outweigh the potential payout if your car were damaged or totaled. By opting for liability-only coverage or reducing additional protections, you can cut down on your premium costs while still protecting yourself and meeting legal insurance requirements.
Participate in a Safe Driving Program
Participating in a safe driving program, such as GEICO’s DriveEasy*, can help lower your car insurance premiums by rewarding safe driving habits with discounts. These programs use a mobile app to track driving behaviors like speed, braking, and phone usage. If you demonstrate consistent safe driving, you may qualify for reduced premiums.
Get a Car That’s Cheaper to Insure
Some vehicles—like cars with strong safety ratings, lower repair costs, and less likelihood of theft—are considered less risky than others by insurers, which can result in lower premiums. For example, family sedans, minivans, and some SUVs are often less expensive to insure than sports cars or luxury vehicles. By selecting a vehicle with these cost-saving factors in mind, you can significantly reduce your insurance expenses while still enjoying reliable coverage.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
Depending on your age and state, taking a defensive driving course can lower your car insurance premiums by proving to your insurer that you are committed to safe driving. Many insurance companies, including GEICO, offer discounts for completing an approved defensive driving program because it reduces the risk of accidents. These courses teach advanced driving techniques, hazard awareness, and how to handle unexpected situations on the road.
Avoid Small Claims
When you file frequent small claims, insurers may view you as a higher risk, which can lead to premium increases over time. Paying out of pocket for minor repairs, like dents and scratches, can help prevent rate increases and keep any applicable claims-free discounts. Although this method requires you to pay for repairs upfront, it will help you save money in the long run by keeping your car insurance rates lower.
Pay Your Premium in Full
Depending on your state, paying your car insurance premium in full can often help lower your premium because GEICO offers discounts for those that pay their premium all at once. When you pay the entire premium at once, we save on administrative costs associated with processing multiple payments, and then we pass those savings on to you. Paying in full also helps you avoid installment fees or interest charges that can add up over time.
Improve Your Driving Record
Improving your driving record can help lower your car insurance premiums by demonstrating to insurers that you are a low-risk driver. Insurance companies often charge higher rates for drivers with a history of accidents, traffic violations, or claims. However, if you maintain a clean driving record over time—free from speeding tickets, accidents, or other infractions—your insurer may reward you with lower premiums. GEICO, for example, offers a 5-year accident-free good driver discount to promote safe driving habits.
There are even more ways to help drive down auto insurance costs. Check out GEICO’s discounts page to find out more on how to maximize your savings.
By Danielle Blundell
*DriveEasy is an optional program that is not available in all states and situations. Premium rates generally will vary based on participation in the program and the driving habits logged by the app. For more information, see the GEICO Mobile User Agreement and FAQs. *Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. GEICO contracts with various membership entities and other organizations, but these entities do not underwrite the offered insurance products. Discount amount varies in some states. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction may be available. GEICO may not be involved in a formal relationship with each organization; however, you still may qualify for a special discount based on your membership, employment or affiliation with those organizations. Homeowners, renters, condo and mobile home coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. The GEICO App and site received #1 rankings according to Keynote's 2018 Mobile Insurance Scorecard.
D.P says,
I live in Florida also and it’s amazing that my insurance went up $20 + dollars because I have no fault on my policy. People don’t care about insuring their vehicles and we that do, have to pay the price. I agree with the comment of impounding that vehicle until proof of insurance and not that having to report every month to the DMV for six months straight on there covered vehicles. The only way to control this issue is to hold people accountable. This will also slow d some reckless driving . This may sound harsh. But I make enough money to take care of my responsibilities so should they.
John c. Garrett says,
I have a 1999 dodge Dakota sport and I’m 60 years old, have safe drivers, no tickets no accidents so why is my insurance 60.00 a month for 12 months 398.00 every 6 months. That’s to high for what coverings I have. I have had insurance with geico for over 8 years never missed a payment, same vehicle insured. Think it’s time to find cheaper insurance!
DeWayne says,
Ive had Geico for many years! Always been happy with them! I f I have a discount coming they usually let me know I have it coming!
Rosario Schenone says,
I have Geico now
Aparicio says,
Hello
Yes, for long time, I am payet , Geico insurance, like a mortgage three vehicles.
402,89 every month.like 4,880 dollars for years.its the time some discount .
Vedasto Cadelina says,
What’s opt higher deductible?
Ernest A Battice says,
I LOVE GEICO THEIR ROAD ASISTANCE IS GREAT HAD AAA LEFT THEM AS THEIR SERVICES FOR ROAD SIDE ASISTANCE WAIT TIME WAS VERY BAD. I AM SATISFY WITH MY COVERAGE OM OUR VEHICLE.
Laura Rodriguez says,
Can I get a lower rate from you? I’ve been with you for years. No tickets good driving record plus in a Senior.
Editor says,
Hi Laura, We’d be more than happy to review your policy. Please give us a call at 1-800-947-AUTO (2886) to speak with a licensed agent who can assist you with that. Thanks!
Walter Quave says,
I don’t drive my very much any more my wife does all the driving now
Walter Quave says,
I just don’t like driving any more
Annie e. Thomas says,
I love Geico but I may have to look around for some lower prices.
There have to be some better rates for me my income has change I only have a fixed income and it take 1/2 of that to pay my insurance can you help me out with this.
Yvonne Wilson says,
Thank you Geico, for helping drivers maintain safety on the roads. You are the best!!
Josephine Testa says,
I pay high insurance with Geico and they tell me it is because of my zip code. I feel it is not fair to me when I do a defensive driving course. What makes our insurance in Florida so high is because most drivers are not insured as they are poor. We have a high minority rate here where I live/ I use to work at the court house before retirement and most of the tickets were no insurance. The state of Florida needs to have more restricted laws as now they just show proof of insurance (paying these companies a minimal deposit), pay a reinstatement fee and get license reinstated(but never pay the insurance premiums again till the next time they are caught). What the state of Florida should do is impound their car and have prepaid insurance for a year. I checked and if I moved to NC I would pay $233 for 6 months instead of the $968 I now pay(for 6 months) so we are paying for everyone else who does not obey the law. THIS IS NOT FAIR TO US whole carry insurance. We need to do something about this as I cannot move to NC. I have already written to the governor of my state last year but never have gotten a response.
Janice says,
That is not fair at all, they need to do better than that.
DeWayne says,
Wow that’s High! I have a couple of friends live in Florida says theirs is high as well! Don’t know who they have! But not right!
J.R. Thomas says,
Have 4 vehicles and 2 drivers. Looking for a quote for liability only insurance for Alabama requirements>
sd says,
Great information! thank you for sharing this!
ELAINE MCABEE says,
I HAVE HAD GEICO INSURANCE A LONG TIME. I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR INCIDENTS IN WELL OVER 5 YEARS – HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF I AM ELEGABLE FOR A DISCOUNT ON MY PREMIUMS
Jay Fonville says,
Hi Elaine, you can call our customer service agents anytime at 1-800-841-3000 to ask about policy discounts you may now qualify for. Thanks!
Dave Anderson says,
I agree that looking for discounts is always a good way to save some money on things like insurance. Something that I have learned is if you make your plan so that you pay less on your deductible your coverage will be more expensive at the time of the accident, but if you have not been in any car accidents you will be able to avoid a lot of charges. It is risky to pay a lower deductible and it would only be beneficial if you know that you will not be getting in an accident anytime soon.
Sarah Peter says,
There is no way to know that you wont be getting into an accident anytime soon! That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read.
Luis says,
Lol
Sarah Maldonado says,
Well if you won’t be driving that vehicle for 6 months for a reason or another then you can up the deductible to save money and you know you won’t be getting into an accident in that car