What Discounts Does PEMCO Offer for Car Insurance?

Last Updated on November 28, 2020

Founded in 1949, PEMCO (which stands for Public Employees Mutual Insurance Company) has grown from a small company to the largest local personal-lines insurer in the Pacific Northwest. While it may not be as well-known as the larger, national insurance carriers, PEMCO has noteworthy community involvement.

What Discounts Does PEMCO Offer for Car InsuranceIf you are a resident of Washington State or Oregon, you might want to consider PEMCO as your vehicle insurer because they offer a wide range of discounts that can keep great coverage within your financial reach. Keep in mind that if you need the specific details of the discounts before purchasing, you can always speak with a PEMCO representative.

You can also consult PEMCO’s website and read real customer reviews here. Customers appear to be very satisfied with PEMCO’s efficient and friendly service; calls are answered quickly by a live person, not a pre-recorded set of messages.

So, without further ado, let’s have a look at the ways PEMCO can save you money. The discounts look like they can be sorted into four groups: education-related discounts, bundling discounts, safety discounts, and other discounts.

Education-related Discounts

Educator Discount

If you’re a teacher or an employee at a school, university, or college, you’ll get this discount when you buy auto insurance with PEMCO. To sweeten the deal even more, this discount will still apply when you retire.

Good Student Discount

It’s always a great idea to study hard and excel at school. If you’re 16-24 years old and have a GPA of 3.0 (B average) or higher, you’ll also save a significant amount on your car insurance policy with PEMCO’s good student discount. Time to hit those books!

Distant Student Discount

While this concept might seem a bit strange at first, it makes perfect sense. If you have a student in your family who drives, you’ll get a discount if that student is attending school more than 75 miles from home and does not have a car at that school.

University of Washington Alumni Discount

Are you a University of Washington graduate with a bachelor’s or advanced degree?  If you are, you’ll get an alumni discount. However, if you are both a University of Washington graduate and work in a school, university or college, you’ll only get the Educator Discount.

Bundled Discounts

If you don’t qualify for the education-related discounts, don’t worry; you might be able to get a bundle-type discount.

Home Ownership Discount

This discount is easy because you just need to own your own home, condominium, townhouse, or mobile home.  Right off the bat, you save money.

Auto Plus Home Discount

If you don’t own your home, you can still get an insurance bundle. You can insure your home, even if you rent, and insure your car as well, and PEMCO will give you a discount. Along with costing less, it’s also convenient to have both insured in one place.

Safety Discounts

Other ways to keep insurance costs down while enjoying great coverage are PEMCO’s safety discounts.

Safety/Security Feature Discount

If you’ve got a car equipped with airbags and other safety features, you’ll get a discount. You’ll get even more money off your insurance bill if your car is equipped with anti-theft devices. While many theft prevention and safety devices are available on the market, you’ll have to speak with a representative to find out which ones specifically qualify for the discount.

Defensive Driver Discount

Are you a good, defensive driver?  If you’re over 55 years of age, you can qualify for this rate reduction if you successfully complete a certified defensive driving course. Call a PEMCO agent to see which courses are available in your area.

Accident Forgiveness Benefit

Safe drivers who have had their car insurance policies for more than five years with PEMCO qualify for first minor accident forgiveness.  What makes this benefit interesting is that forgiveness is extended to each driver on the policy. Safety pays!

Minor Ticket Forgiveness Benefit

Like the benefit mentioned above, if you don’t get into any accidents or get any tickets for five years, your rates won’t go up for your first minor ticket. So, following the rules also helps you save money!

Low Mileage Discount

Basically, the more time you’re off the road, the safer you are, and that should be rewarded. PEMCO will give you a discount if your mileage is less than 8000 miles annually.

Other Discounts

Loyal Auto Customer Discount

You’ll qualify for this discount after you’ve been a PEMCO customer for 12 months. For more details on this discount, talk to a representative.

Advance Purchase Discount

Here’s a discount that isn’t common with other automobile insurance agencies; if you buy your policy ahead of time, you’ll save on your premium. You’ll need to purchase your policy at least seven days in advance, and this discount is for new customers only.

New Vehicle Discount

Newer vehicles tend to have more safety and security features, which in turn means fewer accidents and fewer claims.  You’ll qualify for this discount if your vehicle is fewer than five years old.

Paid in Full Discount

Finally, like almost all car insurance companies, you’ll pay less for car insurance if you decide to pay the amount in full instead of in monthly installments. However, unlike other insurers, PEMCO offers you the choice of two six-month payments – you’ll still get the paid-in-full reduction in price.

Final Word on PEMCO’s Discounts

It’s plain to see why so many car owners in the Pacific Northwest insure their vehicles with PEMCO. The company wants to keep your insurance affordable while providing more than adequate coverage if you’re in an accident, have your car damaged, or have it stolen. Their website alone lists over 15 discounts and ways to save money and keep you safe.

While the specifics of money saved are not mentioned, you can always call a PEMCO agent who can give you the required details. At the end of the day, if you’re in Washington or Oregon, PEMCO is a strong contender in the auto insurance industry, and you should include PEMCO in your comparison shopping list.

James Shaffer
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.
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