What is included in the GEICO defensive driving course?
The GEICO defensive driving course is available online and can be completed all at one time or over a period of time. While drivers can save up to 15% with the course discount, the savings amount depends on your state.
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Licensed Agent for 15 Years
Rachael Brennan has been working in the insurance industry since 2006 when she began working as a licensed insurance representative for 21st Century Insurance, during which time she earned her Property and Casualty license in all 50 states. After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. She has worked for small health insuran...
Rachael Brennan
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Chris Harrigan has an economic degree from Limestone College and an MBA from Clemson University. He previously managed auto insurance claims for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Currently, he is using his business and insurance expertise to provide insurance data analysis and visualizations to enhance the user experience.
Chris Harrigan
Updated June 2022
- The GEICO defensive driving course is online, takes four to six hours to complete, and can be done at your own pace
- The GEICO defensive driving course discount is up to 15% for three years after completing the course
- Some states accept the GEICO online course to remove points from your driver’s license
Drivers with GEICO car insurance can take an online defensive driving course to lower rates by up to 15%. However, the discount amount, length of the course, and the ability to remove points from your license are determined by your state.
In addition, GEICO offers many other discounts that drivers can use to lower rates not based on your driving record. For example, drivers may be eligible for multi-policy, good student, or safety feature discounts.
GEICO car insurance rates are some of the lowest out there, and adding discounts increases savings significantly. Not to mention, a defensive driving class reinforces valuable safe driving skills.
Keep reading to learn more about the GEICO defensive driving course and other available discounts. But, keep in mind that many car insurance companies offer similar discounts and other ways to save.
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What is the GEICO defensive driving course?
GEICO offers an online class that earns up to a 15% defensive driver car insurance discount, depending on your state. In addition, some states allow you to use the same class to remove points from your driver’s license.
This course is available to anyone. For example, there isn’t a separate GEICO defensive driving course for seniors or teens. It’s one size fits all. However, your state determines any discount restrictions, such as age.
Drivers sign up for the course online through various websites. Once you’ve created your GEICO defensive driving course login, you complete the course at your own pace.
The course can take up to six hours to complete, depending on your state. While you can complete the course all at one time, you can also break it up as you need. The course saves your progress, and you pick up where you left off when you log in again.
GEICO receives notification after the course is complete, and your discount is applied for three years. If your state allows the course for point reduction, submit your completed paperwork.
Although this isn’t a free defensive driving course, costs are minimal. In fact, many different websites offer the course, and you may be able to find a promo code for GEICO defensive driving courses.
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What does the GEICO defensive driving course teach?
The GEICO defensive driving course is approved by the National Safety Council but isn’t available in Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, and Vermont.
Topics discussed include safe driver skills such as:
- Maintaining the proper distance between cars
- Always wearing a seat belt
- Avoiding road rage
- Correcting if you lose control of your vehicle
- Driving in bad weather
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
Safe driving is essential, not only to save you money but also to keep you safe. Unfortunately, the National Safety Council estimates that over 46,000 people were killed in car accidents in 2021.
The skills and information you learn in a defensive driving course help you to practice safe driving and avoid accidents. In turn, your car insurance rates stay low.
How does your driving record affect car insurance rates?
Many different factors affect car insurance rates. For example, your driving record, age, vehicle, credit score, and ZIP code are used to calculate rates.
While other factors are used to calculate rates, your driving record is the most significant. This is because your driving record shows car insurance companies if you are a risky driver. Since risky drivers are more likely to cost the insurance company money, they see higher rates.
This table shows average car insurance rates based on driving records from top companies, including GEICO. Drivers with a clean record get the lowest rates.
| Company | Average Annual Rates with Clean Record | Average Annual Rates with 1 Accident | Average Annual Rates with 1 DUI | Average Annual Rates with 1 Speeding Violation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $3,819.90 | $4,987.68 | $6,260.73 | $4,483.51 |
| American Family | $2,693.61 | $3,722.75 | $4,330.24 | $3,025.74 |
| Farmers | $3,460.60 | $4,518.73 | $4,718.75 | $4,079.01 |
| GEICO | $2,145.96 | $3,192.77 | $4,875.87 | $2,645.43 |
| Liberty Mutual | $4,774.30 | $6,204.78 | $7,613.48 | $5,701.26 |
| Nationwide | $2,746.18 | $3,396.95 | $4,543.20 | $3,113.68 |
| Progressive | $3,393.09 | $4,777.04 | $3,969.65 | $4,002.28 |
| State Farm | $2,821.18 | $3,396.01 | $3,636.80 | $3,186.01 |
| Travelers | $3,447.69 | $4,289.74 | $5,741.40 | $4,260.80 |
| USAA | $1,933.68 | $2,516.24 | $3,506.03 | $2,193.25 |
Although GEICO offers some of the cheapest car insurance rates regardless of your driving history, accidents, tickets, and DUIs still increase your rates. In addition, car insurance rates skyrocket for drivers with multiple infractions.
One of the best ways to lower car insurance rates is to avoid dings on your driving record. If you’ve already gotten infractions, the GEICO defensive driving course earns you a discount and may remove driver’s license points in some states.
What are other ways to save on GEICO car insurance?
If your driving record is less than stellar, there are ways to lower rates. While the defensive driving course from GEICO is an excellent place to start, making other changes will also help cut costs.
First, take advantage of car insurance discounts to significantly lower rates. GEICO offers multiple discounts even if you don’t have a great driving record. Look for other savings, including multi-car, multi-policy, and good student discounts.
This table lists GEICO discounts that may be available to you. The savings amount is listed if available.
| Car Insurance Discounts | GEICO (%) |
|---|---|
| Anti-lock Brakes | 5 |
| Anti-Theft | 25 |
| Claim Free | 26 |
| Continuous Coverage | x |
| Daytime Running Lights | 1 |
| Defensive Driver | x |
| Distant Student | x |
| Driver's Ed | x |
| Driving Device/App | x |
| Early Signing | x |
| Emergency Deployment | 25 |
| Family Legacy | x |
| Farm Vehicle | x |
| Federal Employee | 8 |
| Full Payment | x |
| Further Education | x |
| Good Student | 15 |
| Homeowner | x |
| Low Mileage | x |
| Loyalty | x |
| Membership/Group | x |
| Military | 15 |
| Multiple Policies | 10 |
| Multiple Vehicles | 25 |
| Newer Vehicle | x |
| Occupation | x |
| Passive Restraint | 40 |
| Safe Driver | 15 |
| Seat Belt Use | 15 |
| Students & Alumni | x |
| Utility Vehicle | x |
| Vehicle Recovery | 15 |
Next, reduce coverage amounts and raise deductibles to lower car insurance rates. However, remember that you will have to pay more out of pocket if your car is damaged.
Finally, shop around for coverage. Although GEICO car insurance rates are typically low, each insurance company evaluates your personal factors differently. Therefore, compare multiple companies to find great coverage with low rates.
GEICO Defensive Driving Course: The Bottom Line
The GEICO defensive driving course is offered online and earns a car insurance discount of up to 15%. While the class isn’t available everywhere, many states allow drivers to use it to reduce driver’s license points.
Drivers learn safe driving skills, such as wearing a seat belt and how to drive in bad weather. Although it takes up to six hours to complete, you can tackle it in one sitting or over a period of time.
In addition to the defensive driving course discount, GEICO drivers can also take advantage of other discounts. Discounts not based on your driving record include multi-policy, multi-car, good student, and discounts based on your car’s safety features.
While GEICO offers low rates and various discounts, other car insurance companies offer similar discounts. So shop around to find the best deal for you.
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