Are There Auto Insurance Discounts for Teachers in New York?

Last Updated on September 15, 2021

Many car insurance companies will cater to customers of a certain profession, and this can often mean significant discounts. If you’re a teacher in the state of New York, there are plenty of car insurance companies that offer discounts for you. Here’s what you should know about teacher discounts in New York, as well as how to find a great car insurance policy that fits your needs.

Why Do Car Insurance Companies Offer Discounts for Teachers?

Car insurance companies typically offer discounts for people who are statistically less likely to get into accidents and file claims. They pull from data that they’ve collected over decades to see which types of people are the most likely to get into accidents. Statistically, teachers and other people who work in the education field are less likely to get into accidents than the general public.

Additionally, many car insurance companies will offer teacher discounts in order to gain more business. The education field employs millions of people throughout the US, and offering discounts to teachers is an effective way for these insurance companies to gain more customers.

Which Insurance Companies Offer Discounts for Teachers?

There are a few major insurance companies that offer discounts for teachers. However, this isn’t a standard discount across all insurance companies. This is why it’s so important to compare policies from multiple companies before making a final decision about your car insurance. By comparison shopping, you might find discounts and other perks that you didn’t expect.

Liberty Mutual is one of the best car insurance companies for teachers. They offer a significant discount of up to 12 percent on your annual premium. Additionally, they offer a $0 deductible if you are driving your car for business or if your car is vandalized on school property. Finally, they offer up to $2,500 in coverage for stolen or damaged school property in your car.

The other major insurance companies that offer discounts for teachers are Farmers and GEICO. Farmers offers up to 4 percent discounts for educators in many circumstances. GEICO offers a variable discount for members of certain educational organizations.

Smaller insurers might also offer certain perks for teachers and educators. Horace Mann is an auto insurance company that specializes in selling insurance policies to teachers. If you qualify for Horace Mann insurance, you will be given discounted auto insurance rates as well as free insurance policy add-ons (like free total loss replacement coverage and liability insurance for students riding in your car).

Other auto insurance providers that also provide discounted rates for teachers are Meemic and California Casualty. Unfortunately, these two providers currently are not available in New York State.

How Can Teachers Find the Best Car Insurance Policies in New York?

With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to find the best car insurance policy for your needs in the state of New York.

Here are some strategies that teachers can use to find coverage that works best for them:

• Comparison shop – This is one of the most important things you can do when looking for a car insurance company. Each company uses its own methodology when it comes to determining premiums. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for your premiums to vary significantly between companies. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to get quotes from car insurance companies online before buying, so you can determine which one is the best for you. If you’re struggling to compare car insurance companies, you can also work with an independent car insurance agent to find the best option for you.
• Consider bundling your coverage – Many companies offer discounts if you bundle your car insurance coverage with home insurance, renters insurance, or other popular types of coverage. Not only will doing this save you money, but it can also make it much easier to manage your insurance policies. You’ll just have one insurance bill to pay each month, and all of the information about your car insurance policy will be in the same place.
• Keep your driving record as clean as possible – This is one of the first things that car insurance companies look at when determining your rates. By driving safely and avoiding speeding tickets and accidents, you can keep your rates low and potentially earn even more discounts from your car insurance company. In New York State, you can earn discounts for taking an approved defensive driving class.
• Avoid filing claims when possible – Obviously, there are times when this is unavoidable – if you are in a serious accident, for example, you’ll need to file a claim in order to get the financial benefits. However, if you are in a minor accident with no injuries, you may want to consider paying for repairs out of pocket to avoid filing a claim and having your rates go up. Some companies even offer a special claims-free discount for drivers that go a certain period of time without making a claim.
• Keep your car in good condition – This is also something that can help keep your rates down. Many car insurance companies offer discounts for cars that use safety devices, anti-theft devices, or energy-efficient technology. On the other hand, if your car has flashy custom parts, your insurer may consider it a higher theft risk and charge you more to insure it.
• Maintain a good credit score – Auto insurance companies in New York are allowed to run a credit check on you before issuing an auto insurance policy. Insurance providers found that policyholders with low credit scores are more likely to get into accidents and less likely to pay bills on time. Therefore, customers that maintain high credit scores are rewarded with lower auto insurance rates.

Final Word on Car Insurance for Teachers

If you’re an educator, be sure to ask about car insurance discounts in New York. Some companies do offer significant benefits for teachers, which can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. As a teacher, it’s important for you to comparison shop so that you’ll always be paying competitive rates.