How Do I Get the USAA Defensive Driving Course Discount?

Last Updated on November 14, 2023

USAA offers a defensive driving course discount that could help you save over $100 per year on car insurance.

In many cases, you can spend just $40, take an online class, and save money on car insurance for the next five to ten years, thanks to USAA’s defensive driving course discount.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the USAA defensive driving course discount and how it works.

Key Takeaways:

  1. USAA offers a defensive driving course discount that can save policyholders over $100 per year on car insurance, with courses often costing as low as $40.
  2. The discount is available in 34 states and the District of Columbia, and it’s generally targeted at drivers over the age of 55 who meet certain state-specific requirements.
  3. In addition to older drivers, USAA also provides a separate “basic driver training course” discount for younger drivers under 25.
  4. Completing a state-approved defensive driving course offers immediate savings and can prevent future rate increases, especially for older adults.

USAA Offers a Defensive Driving Course Discount in Most States

If you’re a USAA member, then you could qualify for a defensive driving course discount.

34 states and the District of Columbia require insurers to offer defensive driving course discounts to drivers of a certain age.

If your state requires a defensive driving course discount, then USAA offers a discount in your area. You complete a course (either online or in-classroom), provide proof of completion to USAA, and receive your discount.

Who Qualifies for USAA’s Defensive Driving Course?

If you’re a driver over 55, you could qualify for USAA’s defensive driving course discount. Requirements vary from state to state, but most states require insurers to offer defensive driving course discounts to drivers over 55 or 65.

Here are some of the requirements you may need to meet to qualify for a defensive driving course discount, depending on your state:

  • Age 55 or older
  • Clean driving record
  • Completing course voluntarily (not required by court order)
  • Other requirements from your state

If you meet these requirements and complete a state-licensed defensive driving course, you should qualify for USAA’s defensive driving course discount.

USAA Driver Education Course Discount for Teen Drivers vs. Defensive Driving Course Discount

When we talk about a “defensive driving course discount,” we’re typically referring to discounts for older drivers who complete an approved defensive driving course.

However, USAA also offers discounts for younger drivers who complete a driver’s education course. Although the two courses may sound similar, insurers tend to treat them differently:

  • Defensive driving courses improve existing driving skills and are designed for older drivers who want to save money on insurance, refresh driving skills, or become safer drivers. They reduce your chances of being involved in an accident, fix bad habits you’ve accumulated over time, and help you be a safer driver. Drivers of all ages can take a defensive driving course, although USAA offers specific discounts to drivers over a certain age in some states.
  • Driver’s education courses teach new drivers how to drive. Drivers under 25 could get a small discount on car insurance after learning the rules of the road. USAA calls it a “basic driver training course.” As long as you complete a course approved by your state, you should qualify for USAA’s basic driver training course discount.

USAA distinguishes between the two courses on its auto insurance discounts page. Older drivers can complete a defensive driving course to save money on car insurance, while younger drivers can complete a basic driver training course to save money.

How Much Can You Save with USAA’s Defensive Driving Course Discount?

USAA tends to offer savings of around 5% for completing a defensive driving course.

As long as you complete a state-approved defensive driving course and meet other requirements, you should qualify for the USAA defensive driving course discount.

The average USAA policyholder pays around $1,450 annually for full coverage car insurance. If you save 5% with USAA’s defensive driving course discount, then you’ll save around $72.50 per year on car insurance.

Typically, your defensive driving course remains active for around five years. After five years, you can re-take the course to re-apply your discount.

That may not seem significant. However, taking a defensive driving course could also prevent rate increases – say, if your risk increases with age. Some states require insurers to allow older adults to complete defensive driving courses to avoid age-related insurance increases.

Of course, a defensive driving course can easily save you thousands: if you avoid a single at-fault accident because of something you learned during your course, then you could avoid thousands of dollars in higher insurance premiums and other penalties.

What to Expect with a Defensive Driving Course

USAA allows you to take any authorized defensive driving course in your state to qualify for the defensive driving course discount.

Typically, here’s how a defensive driving course works:

  • You sign up for a defensive driving course in your state. It must be a licensed and state-approved course to qualify for the discount.
  • Typically, courses cost $25 to $200. In many cases, they cost under $50 and can be completed online in under four hours. In other cases, it may take eight to 12 hours to complete a course, or a course may include classroom and in-vehicle instruction.
  • Once you complete the course and meet all requirements, you submit proof of completion to USAA, and USAA adds the discount to your account. Typically, this discount saves you around 5% on car insurance for the next five years.
  • You can repeat the defensive driving course at any point to re-apply the discount.

Final Word

USAA, like all insurers, offers defensive driving course discounts in states where they are legally required.

If you’re a driver over 55 with a clean record who voluntarily completed a defensive driving course, then you could save 5% or more per year on car insurance via the USAA defensive driving course discount.

To learn more about USAA’s defensive driving course discount program and how it works or to sign up today, contact USAA. Requirements vary from state to state, and the program may or may not be available in your state.

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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