Texas drivers pay an average of $3,500 per year for full-coverage auto insurance. That’s a lot of money! Taking an online defensive driving course in Texas can deliver an insurance discount of up to 10%. Upon completion, you’ll pay lower premiums over a three-year period.
How Much Will My Insurance Go Down After Defensive Driving?
In Texas, defensive driving discounts are valid for up to three years and vary between 2% and 10%, depending on the insurance carrier.
Let’s assume you pay $3,600 per year for full coverage. Below are some estimates of what you can expect to save by completing a defensive driving course in Texas.
| Discount Percentage | Annual Savings | Annual Premium After Discount | Savings Over a 3-Year Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | $72 | $3,528 | $216 |
| 5% | $180 | $3,420 | $540 |
| 10% | $360 | $3,240 | $1,080 |
And yes, there is a cost to defensive driving too. Texas driver safety schools are legally required to charge at least $25 for defensive driving courses. It’s a small price to pay compared to the savings on your insurance costs.
Our defensive driving course costs only $27 and could save you $72 to $360 per year. This fee covers the course materials, unlimited retakes, and other services. And you don’t pay until you pass!
What Is an Online Texas Defensive Driving Course?
Online defensive driving courses are training programs aimed at helping drivers anticipate and react to potential hazards, such as adverse weather conditions and pedestrians crossing unexpectedly. They also cover the rules of the road and related topics like:
- Texas traffic laws and regulations
- Distracted driving
- DUI/DWI awareness
- Accident prevention
- Traffic signs and signals
These courses promote safe driving practices with the goal of reducing traffic violations. They take approximately six hours and can be completed online or in a classroom setting.
To qualify for auto insurance discounts, you must take the course voluntarily – not as part of a court order. The course must be approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and taught in its entirety.
Which Insurers Provide Discounts for Completing Defensive Driving Courses?
All major insurance carriers offer defensive driving discounts, but their requirements vary. For example, some companies may set an age limit or require a clean driving record.
That said, let’s take a look at the discount rates and eligibility criteria of the top insurance providers in Texas.
AAA Defensive Driving Discount
The American Automobile Association (AAA) will lower your rates by up to 5% if you complete an approved defensive driving course. The organization offers a defensive driving program, but you can choose a different one as long as it’s approved by the TDLR. AAA offers a Mature Driver Discount as well.
State Farm Defensive Driving Discount
Texas drivers insured with State Farm can save 5% on auto insurance coverage following the completion of a defensive driving program. The course must be approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). State Farm also provides a Mature Driver Discount.
GEICO Defensive Driving Discount
If you’re insured with GEICO and take a defensive driving course, you’ll get a discount of up to 10%. This offer is available to drivers aged 50 or older and only applies if the course is taken on a voluntary basis, not as a result of a court order. Geico also provides a Mature Driver Discount.
Nationwide Defensive Driving Discount
Texas residents age 55+ can apply for a 5% discount after completing defensive driver training. You may not request the discount if you’ve had any at-fault accidents in the last 35 months. Nationwide also provides a Mature Driver Discount.
USAA Defensive Driving Discount
The insurance carrier may lower your premiums if you complete a state-approved course and have had no accidents or convictions in the past three years. How much you can save depends on your type of coverage, among other factors; contact a USAA agent to request more information.
Travelers Defensive Driving Discount
Similar to other major insurers, Travelers offers discounts for completing driver training, including defensive driving courses. The company doesn’t specify the discount amount, but you can ask your insurance agent about it.
The Hartford Defensive Driving Discount
Save up to 5% on auto insurance from The Hartford by completing defensive driver training in Texas. Like other insurers, The Hartford requires applicants to take an approved course and submit proof of completion.
How Does Defensive Driving Work?
Completing defensive driver training to save on insurance is quite simple. You don’t need court approval. Just make sure the course meets your insurer’s requirements and sign up!
Below are the steps you can take to qualify for a defensive discount:
1. Contact Your Insurance Company
Confirm with your insurance carrier that they offer defensive driving discounts. Inquire about their eligibility criteria and other aspects, such as the discount percentage and how long the savings will remain in effect.
Also, ask whether they prefer specific course providers or accept any state-approved course.
2. Choose a Course Provider
Look for driver safety schools, driving schools, or other organizations offering defensive driving courses in Texas. Make sure they are licensed by the TDLR or TEA.
Our defensive driving program is approved by the TDLR and accepted by all Texas courts. Therefore, you can take the course to save on auto insurance or get a traffic ticket dismissed.
If you receive a speeding ticket, you can complete defensive driver training to keep the citation off your record. But, in such cases, you won’t be eligible for a defensive driving discount. To get the discount, drivers must take the course voluntarily.
3. Decide How You Want to Study
Defensive driving courses are available both online and in-person, with the former offering greater flexibility and convenience.
Either option requires six hours of study, but online courses allow you to go through the lessons at your own pace.
Our learning platform is compatible with all devices, including smartphones, and will save your progress automatically. You can take breaks as needed and continue where you left off.
4. Submit Your Certificate of Completion to the Insurance Carrier
The course provider will issue a completion certificate in electronic or paper format after you finish the program.
If you receive an electronic certificate, print it on white paper and then send it to your insurance carrier by mail, fax, or in person. Most insurers also accept electronic copies by email.
At Traffic Safety Institute, we’ll issue an electronic certificate copy for free as soon as you complete our course. There’s also the option to request a physical copy for an additional $10.99.
How Often Can You Take a Defensive Driving Course?
If your goal is to pay less auto insurance, you can take defensive driving courses every three years.
Things are different if you’re dealing with a traffic citation. Under Texas law, you can complete a defensive driving program for ticket dismissal no more than once every 12 months.
Final Thoughts
Depending on your needs, you can take an online defensive driving course in Texas for an insurance discount or ticket dismissal. Its content and format will be the same, except that, in the latter case, you must check with the court before enrollment.
Our defensive driving course includes 12 user-friendly modules and several short quizzes designed to test your knowledge. There is no final exam, and you can take the course as many times as needed without paying additional fees.
In fact, you don’t have to pay anything until you finish the course. When you’re done, we’ll charge you a flat fee of only $27, which covers the study materials, audio read-alongs, and an electronic certificate copy. Plus, you can chat live with our team around the clock.
We also offer free same-day submission to the court and Texas DPS for students who take our course to get a ticket dismissed. This aspect alone can save you time and reduce the hassle of dealing with a citation.
Need one reason to join Traffic Safety Institute? Our school has thousands of positive reviews from drivers in Texas and beyond.
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FAQs about Online Defensive Driving Courses and Insurance
Is there anything else you want to know about online defensive driving courses? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is the $25 driving course in Texas?
A “$25 driving course” refers to the lowest price allowed for defensive driver training in the Texas. Under Texas law, driving schools and other institutions must charge no less than $25 for defensive driving courses.
How many points does defensive driving take off in Texas?
Texas doesn’t use a point system for traffic offenses. However, you can complete defensive driver training to get a ticket dismissed – depending on the severity of your violation.
Does defensive driving reduce ticket costs in Texas?
Completing the course will not reduce the fine amount, but it will keep the citation off your record. As a result, your insurance rates won’t increase after an accident or other traffic violations. If you want to get your ticket dismissed, you can sign up for defensive driver training after pleading guilty and paying the fine.
In some cases. a driver may not be eligible for these courses (e.g., the violation took place in a construction zone). However, the court may agree to reduce the fine (or other penalties) if the defendant completes defensive driver training.
