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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
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Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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Table of contents
If you have a clean driving record, you’re in a great spot to save on car insurance. Your safe driving will qualify you for lower rates than high-risk drivers pay.[1] And many companies offer good driver discounts that can cut your premiums even more.
You can save further by combining discounts with telematics programs, bundling policies, and other offers. This guide explains the best car insurance options for good drivers, what makes you eligible, how much you can save, and how to get the most out of your good driving rewards.
Certain insurers offer stand-alone safe driver discounts of up to 30% for accident-free policyholders.
Drivers with clean records pay hundreds less per year than drivers with tickets or at-fault accidents.
Telematics programs can pile additional savings on top of a good driver discount.
Cheapest car insurance for good drivers
The rates shown below are average monthly quotes for full coverage, including collision and comprehensive insurance, for safe drivers with clean records and average or better credit. Good driver discounts and other savings can further lower these rates.
In our sample, COUNTRY Financial offers the lowest full-coverage price for good drivers.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $83 |
| COUNTRY Financial | $85 |
| NJM | $93 |
| USAA | $100 |
| State Farm | $107 |
| Mile Auto | $120 |
| Erie | $122 |
| Safeco | $139 |
| GEICO | $142 |
| Allstate | $144 |
| Direct Auto | $145 |
| Root | $151 |
| American Family | $153 |
| Progressive | $157 |
| Mercury | $160 |
| Elephant | $169 |
| National General | $169 |
| Anchor | $179 |
| The General | $179 |
| Nationwide | $183 |
| Travelers | $187 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $187 |
| CSAA | $195 |
| Clearcover | $198 |
| Bristol West | $203 |
| Liberty Mutual | $208 |
| Farmers | $210 |
| Plymouth Rock | $211 |
| GAINSCO | $214 |
| Chubb | $216 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $218 |
| Dairyland | $224 |
| Shelter | $231 |
| 21st Century | $242 |
| The Hartford | $243 |
| State Auto | $274 |
| Amica | $432 |
How much does car insurance cost for good drivers?
People with a clean driving record consistently pay less for car insurance than drivers with incidents. On average, good drivers save 20% to 35% compared to drivers with recent violations.
Even a single speeding ticket can raise your rates, and a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction or having to file an SR-22 certificate can further increase costs. Drivers with clean records pay less each month for both liability and full coverage — especially if they qualify for good driver discounts.
The following table compares the average cost of car insurance for clean drivers versus people with incidents on their driving records.
Driving Record | Average Liability-Only Quote | Average Full-Coverage Quote | % Difference vs. Clean Driving Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $99 | $174 | N/A |
| Has incident | $120 | $210 | +21% |
| Has speeding ticket | $128 | $225 | +29% |
| Has at-fault accident | $132 | $232 | +33% |
| Has DUI/DWI | $146 | $257 | +48% |
| Has SR-22 | $124 | $218 | +25% |
Find Cheap Car Insurance for Good Drivers
Rates start as low as $83/mo. for full coverage
How credit affects insurance rates for good drivers
Insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores to predict how likely you may be to file a claim. Insurers use these scores to evaluate risk and charge policyholders rates that closely align with that risk.[2]
Even if you drive safely, poor credit can make your car insurance more expensive. A good driver with low credit may pay more than someone with good credit but a less-than-perfect driving record.
The cheapest car insurance rates go to drivers with both a clean record and strong credit. Improving your credit and staying accident-free are two of the most effective ways to lower your car insurance costs over time.[2]
Best car insurance companies for good drivers
Here’s a closer look at some of Insurify’s top picks for insurers that reward good drivers. We looked at rates, discounts, financial strength, and customer satisfaction to find the best car insurance for good drivers.
Auto-Owners: Best for cheap rates
| User Reviews | 4.3 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.2 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $47/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $83/mo |
Customers appreciate the friendly service and quick claims process but dislike the constant rate increases and perceived inflexibility in pricing.
Customers appreciate the friendly service and quick claims process but dislike the constant rate increases and perceived inflexibility in pricing.
Auto-Owners has been around for more than a century and offers a wide range of discounts and some of the most affordable rates — especially for good drivers. The company has great scores from third-party reviewers, like the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power, and AM Best. It doesn’t offer as many discounts as its competitors, but you can save by bundling, making on-time payments, or having certain safety features, like airbags.
Lower rates than the national average
Offers gap coverage
Multiple types of policies
Available in only 26 states
Negative customer reviews
Available only through independent insurance agents
Travelers: Best for telematics
| User Reviews | 4.6 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.5 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $99/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $187/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s communicative customer service and efficient claims process. But they’re dissatisfied with the consistent and sometimes significant price increases, even for those with clean driving records.
Customers appreciate the insurer’s communicative customer service and efficient claims process. But they’re dissatisfied with the consistent and sometimes significant price increases, even for those with clean driving records.
Travelers is available in most of the U.S. and offers drivers many ways to save, particularly for good driving. Travelers Intellidrive, an optional telematics program that records driving habits, can help you save up to 30%. Plus, you can get discounts for driver training, safe driving, bundling policies, early quotes, homeownership, being a good student, and more.
Lots of discounts for safe driving
Scores well for financial strength with AM Best
Offers many types of insurance products
High number of complaints
Below-average J.D. Power claim satisfaction rating
Telematics program not available in all states
State Farm: Best for customer satisfaction
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $55/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $107/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
State Farm is the largest auto and home insurance company in the U.S. by market share, and it consistently scores high for customer and claims satisfaction with J.D. Power. State Farm has competitive rates and many types of discounts for good drivers, including its Drive Safe & Save program and Steer Clear (for drivers younger than 25), which can help you save up to 30% on your premiums.
Long-standing history in auto insurance
Competitive rates
Widely available (all states except Massachusetts and Rhode Island)
Low customer satisfaction ratings
No gap insurance
Not as many discounts as competitors
GEICO: Best for discounts
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.2 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $86/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $142/mo |
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
GEICO offers more discounts than some of its competitors, including a good driver discount that can help safe drivers save up to 22% when they go five years without an accident. The company also offers discounts that reward loyalty, safety features, and affiliations, like 12% off for federal employees and 15% off for military members. GEICO usually completes the claim process in just 48 hours, making it one of the fastest turnaround times in the industry.
Fast claim processing
Numerous discounts
24/7 customer service
Rideshare and gap insurance not available
Doesn’t offer life insurance bundling
Limited agent network
Nationwide: Best for credibility
| User Reviews | 4.2 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $96/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $183/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.
Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.
Nationwide has been around for almost a century and is one of the largest insurance companies by market share. The company offers many types of discounts for good drivers, including its SmartRide program, defensive driving discount, accident forgiveness, and vanishing deductible.
Credible name in the industry
Many available discounts
Wide range of optional coverages
Customer reviews could be better
Not available in every state
Some features and discounts not available in certain states
Good driver insurance discounts by company
Most insurance companies offer good driver or safe driver car insurance discounts, but eligibility requirements and savings vary by company. Some insurers require you to go three years without an accident, while others look at your driving habits through telematics.
Since every company has its own definition of a “good driver,” it’s smart to compare quotes to find the best deal. You can also combine these discounts with other car insurance savings.[3]
Insurance Company | Discount Name | Savings Amount | Eligibility Period | Telematics Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers | Safe driver | Unspecified | Three years without an accident | With Signal by Farmers app |
| GEICO | DriveEasy | Up to 22% | One year without an accident | Yes |
| Progressive | Snapshot | $260 per year, on average | N/A | Yes |
| Liberty Mutual | RightTrack | Up to 30% | N/A | Yes |
| State Farm | Drive Safe & Save | Up to 30% | Three years without an accident or moving violation | Yes |
| Travelers | Safe Driver Discount | 9%-18% | Three to five years without an accident | With IntelliDrive |
| USAA | USAA SafePilot | 10%-30% | No | Yes |
Does accident forgiveness protect your good driver discount?
Accident forgiveness can prevent your premium from increasing after your first at-fault accident, but it doesn’t always preserve your good driver discount. Some insurers still remove safe driver savings after a claim.
If you’re in this situation, ask your insurer how forgiveness affects eligibility, and compare quotes. Another insurer may price your policy more favorably after one incident.
What qualifies you as a good driver?
A “good driver” is usually someone with no at-fault accidents, no moving violations such as speeding tickets, and no DUI or DWI convictions in the last three to five years. Some insurers also check your claims history and how often you have minor incidents. Others reward steady, safe driving tracked by telematics programs that measure things like speed, braking, and mileage.
Eligibility varies by insurance company, so one insurer may consider you accident-free after three years, while another requires five.
California car insurance is unique in that state law requires a good driver discount for qualifying drivers, which affects pricing statewide.[4]
How to maximize your good driver savings
Most insurers offer a variety of ways to save money on your auto insurance premiums, and combining different programs can earn you significant savings.
Enroll in a telematics or usage-based program
Telematics programs track safe driving and mileage through a mobile app or device. Programs like Progressive Snapshot, Nationwide SmartRide/SmartMiles, and Allstate Drivewise reward cautious driving habits with lower insurance costs. For low-mileage, safe drivers, pay-per-mile and usage-based plans can greatly reduce premiums.
Take a defensive driving course
Many insurance companies give discounts of 5% to 10% if you finish an approved defensive driving course. These courses usually cost $20 to $50, take a few hours to complete online, and are valid for two to three years. Eligibility can depend on your age or recent violations, but even safe drivers can get ongoing discounts and brush up on their driving skills.[5]
Bundle policies and stack discounts
Bundling auto insurance with renters, homeowners, or umbrella coverage can unlock multi-policy savings. Good drivers can also stack safe driver discounts with low-mileage, multi-car, paperless-billing, and anti-theft discounts.
Review all available car insurance discounts annually to ensure you’re not leaving savings on the table.
Compare quotes from multiple companies
Even if you have a clean record, insurance prices can be very different from one company to another. Compare car insurance quotes from at least three to five companies to help you find the best deal for good drivers in your state.
Each insurer looks at your driving record, credit, location, and car risk in its own way, so the cheapest choice now might not be the cheapest next year.
Find Better Coverage for Good Drivers
Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies
Good driver insurance rates by state
Good driver insurance rates vary by state because of different minimum coverage requirements, population density, accident frequency, and vehicle vandalism and theft rates. In California, insurers must offer a good driver discount by law, but in other states, companies set their own discount rules.
Here’s how much full-coverage car insurance costs for good drivers in every state and Washington, D.C.
State | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $77 |
| North Carolina | $89 |
| Iowa | $91 |
| Wyoming | $96 |
| Idaho | $98 |
| North Dakota | $104 |
| Wisconsin | $109 |
| Alaska | $113 |
| Ohio | $116 |
| Hawaii | $119 |
| Montana | $120 |
| New Mexico | $122 |
| Indiana | $123 |
| Nebraska | $127 |
| Tennessee | $128 |
| Vermont | $128 |
| Alabama | $128 |
| Maine | $130 |
| South Dakota | $133 |
| Mississippi | $133 |
| Kansas | $134 |
| West Virginia | $136 |
| Utah | $137 |
| Oregon | $140 |
| Arkansas | $143 |
| Pennsylvania | $147 |
| Illinois | $149 |
| Minnesota | $152 |
| Massachusetts | $153 |
| Oklahoma | $154 |
| Arizona | $159 |
| Washington | $161 |
| Missouri | $169 |
| New York | $170 |
| Virginia | $173 |
| Louisiana | $179 |
| Kentucky | $183 |
| Colorado | $189 |
| California | $190 |
| Florida | $204 |
| Delaware | $207 |
| Texas | $208 |
| Rhode Island | $209 |
| Michigan | $211 |
| Connecticut | $224 |
| South Carolina | $227 |
| Nevada | $235 |
| Georgia | $239 |
| New Jersey | $255 |
| Maryland | $260 |
| Washington D.C. | $299 |
Good driver car insurance FAQs
Here are some quick answers to common questions about good driver insurance, who qualifies, and how much safe drivers can save with a clean record.
How much can a good driver discount save you?
A good driver discount can lower your car insurance premiums by 10%–40%. The exact amount depends on the company’s rules, who qualifies, and if you combine discounts with telematics or bundling.
What is the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a clean record?
Liability-only car insurance is generally the cheapest type of policy. COUNTRY Financial, Auto-Owners, and USAA have the cheapest car insurance rates, according to Insurify data.
But the cheapest car insurance for good drivers depends on your state and personal details. Regional insurance companies and usage-based plans often offer lower prices than big national companies for drivers with clean records.
When do you qualify again for a good driving discount after a ticket or accident?
Most insurance companies require three to five years without incidents to regain good driver status, but the exact time frame depends on the company and your state.
How long do you need a clean record to qualify for a safe driver discount?
You usually need three to five years of incident-free driving to qualify, and the rules are stricter if you have a major violation, like a DUI.
Can a single ticket disqualify you from a good-driver discount?
Yes. One speeding ticket can temporarily make you ineligible, but minor violations usually disappear from your record after about three years.
Does accident forgiveness protect your good driver discount?
Not always. Accident forgiveness might stop your rates from going up, but you could still lose your safe driver discount, depending on the company’s rules.
Is a good driver discount the same as a safe driver discount?
Typically, yes. Good driver insurance and safe driver discounts usually mean the same thing. They both reward you for keeping a clean driving record.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Average Cost of Car Insurance
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "Credit-Based Insurance Scores."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Good Driver Discounts."
- California Senate. "Proposition 103: What is it and why do we care?."
- AAA Foundation. "Good Driver Discounts."
)
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
)
)
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Featured in
)
)
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Featured in