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Why is defensive driving important?

My uncle mentioned in passing that he’s going to be taking a defensive driving course to get a car insurance discount. I only thought of those courses as consequences for tickets. Why is defensive driving important to insurance companies?

avatar
Kaitlin May · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You’re not alone in your thinking! While most people associate defensive driving with traffic tickets, courses can be beneficial for honing driving skills, refreshing driving knowledge, and qualifying for
lower insurance premiums
.
A more widely known benefit of enrolling in a defensive driving course is to
reduce points
on your driving record. Some drivers are ordered by the court to take the course, which can be an alternative to steeper penalties like jail time.
These are some of the lesser-known perks of completing a defensive driving course:
  • Helps you ward off potential hazards
  • Prevents you from taking risks on the road
  • Helps you avoid collisions and accidents
  • Reduces your risk for tickets and traffic violations
  • Saves money on vehicle maintenance
A
defensive driving course
adds undeniable value to your safety behind the wheel. It can also serve your wallet well. If you take a page from your uncle’s book and complete a defensive driving course, you may be eligible for a
discount
through your insurance company.
If not, shop for better car insurnace at a better rate through
Jerry
. Jerry is an insurance comparison app that shops for low prices with over 50 insurance companies for free. You will get quotes in seconds, and if you ever have any questions, agents are just a text away. The average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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