Most California drivers qualify for more discounts than they’re getting. Insurers don’t always apply them automatically, so it pays to ask about each one. As a broker, we check every discount with every carrier we quote.
The Good Driver Discount (at least 20%)
Under Proposition 103, California insurers must give qualifying good drivers a discount of at least 20%. In general you qualify if you:
- have been licensed for at least the past three years,
- have no more than one violation point on your record in the past three years,
- weren’t principally at fault in an accident that injured or killed someone in the past three years, and
- have no DUI conviction in the past ten years.
It’s the single biggest discount available, so make sure your quote reflects it if you qualify.
Discounts most carriers offer
- Multi-car: insure two or more vehicles on the same policy.
- Bundling: pair your auto policy with home, condo or renters insurance.
- Good student: full-time students with a B average or better often qualify.
- Low mileage: annual mileage is one of the three main rating factors in California, so driving less can lower your rate.
- Mature driver course: drivers 55 and older who complete a DMV-approved mature driver course can earn a discount.
- Anti-theft and safety features: alarms, tracking devices and newer safety equipment can lower your premium.
- Pay in full or autopay: many carriers discount a paid-in-full policy or automatic payments.
What California insurers can’t use
California doesn’t allow auto insurers to use your credit score or your gender to set your rate. Your driving record, annual mileage and years of experience matter most, followed by optional factors like your ZIP code, vehicle and coverage choices.
Discounts vary by carrier
Not every carrier offers every discount, and the size of each discount differs from company to company. That’s why comparing several carriers at once usually finds a lower price than shopping one company at a time.