Are Defensive Driving Courses Worth It?

Even the best drivers need to brush up on their skills. Defensive driving courses are designed to improve your driving skills and knowledge. Likewise, they are known for lowering your auto insurance by 5-10%. That cut in costs is especially helpful for drivers on a tight budget. 

With that said, are defensive driving courses actually worth it?

While saving money is hard to beat, taking a defensive driving course costs you time and money. You may even have to ask yourself, can I really go back to Drivers Ed? 

Find out whether a defensive driving course is worth it and whether you should invest in one now. 

What does a defensive driving course teach you?

Imagine driving back in time (literally) all the way back to your first Driver’s Education class. For some, that sounds more like a burden than a help. For others, it’s the first step of many towards a cleaner driving record. 

Here’s what you’ll learn in a defensive driving course:

• How to prevent automobile accidents
• Important qualities of a defensive driver
• Techniques for better driving (lane changing, warning signals, etc.)
• How to detect impaired drivers

Some defensive driving courses can take anywhere from four to six hours so it’s important to set aside enough time in your busy schedule. The good news is, most traffic schools are online and let you login or logout at your own pace. Hence, you don’t have to be glued to a computer screen for hours on end. 

So are defensive driving courses worth the cost?

There are certain scenarios that make this course worth your while. Due to time consumption and many insurance companies offering the lowest auto rates nationwide, we wouldn’t suggest it for everyone. Check out who benefits from this program:

Mature drivers

Once retirement sets in, you find yourself with more time on your hands. It is the perfect opportunity to refresh your driving skills, while earning a discount on your auto insurance.  

Find a mature defensive driver course near you. Most traffic schools offer online courses or a classroom setting for attendees. Choose the option that works best for you. 

Accident-prone drivers 

For accident-prone drivers, a defensive driving course is like getting a second shot at having a clean driving record. By completing this intensive course, drivers can earn back some of their street credit and hopefully, in time, lower their auto insurance premium. 

Our suggestion

If you are a driver who is looking for a discount on auto insurance but are not interested in taking a defensive driving course, then look into some of the awesome discount programs that Geico, Allstate, and State Farm offer. 

For example, Drivewise from Allstate allows drivers to earn cash back for safe driving every six months. Just download the Allstate app, and it will track your driving speeds and safe driving to help you lower your auto insurance. 

Even Jake from State Farm knows their Drive Safe & Save™ program is hard to pass up. Some State Farm drivers get up to 30% off their auto insurance rate through this program. 

Unless you are a driver desperately in need of defensive lessons, these highly-rated discount programs offer the best bang for your buck. Plus, they won’t take up too much of your time.