Can I Get a Car Insurance Discount as a First Responder?
Last Updated on December 18, 2020
First responders deal with tough situations. Many businesses now give discounts to first responders, but can you really get a car insurance discount as a first responder?
Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about auto insurance discounts for paramedics, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders.
Yes, Many Insurance Companies Give Discounts to First Responders
Many of America’s largest car insurance companies give discounts to first responders. Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, EMTs, and other first responders may qualify for discounts of anywhere from 2.5% to 20% by choosing the right insurer.
Typically, first responders are categorized as:
- Firefighters
- Police Officers
- EMTs and Paramedics
Doctors and nurses may also qualify for their own car insurance discounts even if insurers don’t consider them to be ‘first responders’.
How Much of a Discount Can I Receive?
Discounts vary widely between insurance companies. Some insurance companies offer discounts of up to 20% for first responders. Others offer discounts as low as 2.5%. Many offer no special discounts for first responders at all.
Additionally, not all insurance companies offer discounts to all first responders. Some insurance companies only offer discounts to members of the military, for example. Others only extend discounts to firefighters and police officers and not to EMTs or paramedics.
The Best Car Insurance Discounts for Firefighters
Many car insurance companies give discounts to firefighters. If you are able to prove your affiliation with a local firefighting team, then you may be able to get a car insurance discount of 3% to 12%.
Some of the best-known car insurance companies offering discounts to firefighters include:
Check with smaller insurance companies in your area. The companies above are some of the largest insurers in America. However, many smaller, regional insurance companies also offer auto insurance discounts for firefighters.
The Best Car Insurance Discounts for Police Officers
Police officers have excellent knowledge of road rules, and many insurance companies view police officers are prime customers. They tend to drive more safely. Many police officers go through additional training to learn how to drive safely at high speeds. Because of this, many insurance companies are happy to give discounts to police officers.
Some of the insurance companies known to offer discounts to police officers include:
- Farmers
- Nationwide
- California Casualty
- Liberty Mutual
- Country Financial
As mentioned above, we recommend checking with local insurers as well to ensure you get the best deal on car insurance.
The Best Car Insurance Discounts for EMTs and Paramedics
EMTs and paramedics may not qualify for the same discounts as police officers and firefighters. However, a growing number of insurance companies now offer discounts to EMTs, paramedics, and other types of first responders. The prevalence of these discounts varies state by state.
Some of the insurance companies known to offer car insurance discounts to EMTs and paramedics include:
- Farmers
- AAA
- Nationwide
- California Casualty
Check with smaller, local insurers to see if they offer their own first responder discounts.
Why Do First Responders Get a Discount?
There are two general reasons why insurance companies give discounts to first responders:
To Recognize Their Value: First responders are valued members of every community in which they serve. Some insurance companies give discounts purely to recognize the value of first responders and to reward them for their service.
Because They’re Less Risky: Some statistics also show that police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs are less risky to insure. They’re safer drivers who are less likely to make a claim.
Police officers, for example, know the rules of the road better than anyone. Some police officers also spend a significant number of their work hours driving. Because of this, police officers tend to have lower claims rates than people who aren’t police officers. Firefighters and paramedics may be less risky to insure for similar reasons.
Furthermore, many first responders are employed by government organizations or reputable corporations. They have safe, steady jobs and can get hired anywhere, which makes them ideal low-risk customers for insurance companies.
Additional Auto Insurance Discounts for First Responders
Depending on insurance needs, first responders may qualify for additional car insurance discounts, including:
Mileage Discounts: If you drive fewer than 8,000 miles per year, then you may qualify for low mileage discounts.
Non-Rush Hour Driving Discounts: First responders may not work a 9 to 5 shift. That could mean they drive to work during non-rush hours, which typically means a lower risk of accidents. Some insurance companies give discounts for driving outside of rush hour.
Age Discounts: As you get older, your car insurance premiums should decrease.
Marital Status Discounts: Married drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than single drivers.
Safe Driving Record Discounts: First responders with a clean driving record will pay significantly less for car insurance.
Credit Score Discounts: The higher your credit score, the cheaper your auto insurance premiums will be.
Bundling Discounts: Bundle multiple insurance policies together to save money.
It’s important to remember that first responders are often protected from liability while responding to calls in work vehicles, which means they cannot be found at-fault for certain accidents. If a paramedic is responding to a call, for example, and gets into a car accident while driving the ambulance to the scene, then the paramedic may not be considered at-fault for the accident.
Final Word
First responders are some of the bravest members in any community. Today, many of America’s largest insurance companies recognize first responders’ contributions with a small car insurance discount.
Shop around and compare car insurance quotes online today to ensure you’re paying the best rates for car insurance as a first responder.
