Florida auto insurance discounts?

[bopat]

Am I reading this right, FL law requires auto insurers to give people 55 years old or older a discount if we complete a safety course? Anybody know where we can do a safety course?

Chapter 627 Section 0652 - 2024 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0627.0652)

[retiredguy123]

What a stupid law. It doesn't state the amount of the discount. And with rates changing every 6 months, how do you know that you are even getting a discount?

[MarshBendLover]

You should be able to ask your insurance company. But generally the way it worked in my state was any licensed course (dui/accident/young driver) is all it took. Just a 8 hour class watching video reminders of how to drive safely. We then told them when and where attended and USAA gave a discount.

All violators and us life experienced persons are rolled into one group. So you may sit in a room with 8 other people who clearly look like they just got their first ticket at age 17 or are trying to keep there license active after alcohol or drug stop. So it's kinda a slap in the face, everyone looks at you like you can't hear or see anymore and that's why you are there. But on a serious note, I have never known them to require a driving course or eye/ear/reaction test. Just videos.

[UsuallyLurking]

[QUOTE=bopat;2401212]Am I reading this right, FL law requires auto insurers to give people 55 years old or older a discount if we complete a safety course? Anybody know where we can do a safety course?

AARP offers four driver safety classes a month. At the end of the class you get a certificate which you can get to your insurance agent. From an ad in the POA bulletin:

AARP now offers a Free 60–90-minute Smart Driver Technology workshop for those thinking of either leasing, purchasing or just upgrading to a newer vehicle.
...
AARP Driver Safety now offers a 6 hour “Smart Driver”course for seniors; it is designed for those 50 and older. All available courses are listed at AARP.org/findacourse or call (877) 846-3299.

In The Villages, there are at least 4 classes each month. The classes are either two days, 9 AM to Noon or one day* 9 AM - 4 PM. Fee is $20 for AARP members, $25 for non-members.

[Bill14564]

What a stupid law. It doesn't state the amount of the discount. And with rates changing every 6 months, how do you know that you are even getting a discount?

You read the law but for others who have not....
Any discount used by an insurer is presumed to be appropriate unless credible data demonstrates otherwise.

So unless you can provide credible data that demonstrates a $5 discount is not appropriate, that may be all that you get.

[Topspinmo]

I don’t need no safety course, i hundreds of scams around. Beside if was get discount I doubt it would more than 2% and next it will just go up triple that anyway all while you get feel good with discounts. Another jump through hoops scam. Besides the insurance industry knows if you are safe driver anyway due to sharing your personal information.

[gorillarick]

I got a $50/6-month discount after completing the course. Learned a lot. Most of us assume Florida law is the same as what we learned 50 years ago - many states away.

There are plenty of on-line course available. Just search. AAA comes to mind.
I'd prefer the on-line. Sitting in a classroom with teacher trying to be cute for hours doesn't seem productive to me.

- - -
I also signed up for vehicle monitoring with my insurance company recently. They do watch for excessive speed, but more important is jerky motion, and using cell phone while driving.
Jerky motion - you will drive jerky if playing with your dang cellphone.
But more important, heavy braking because your are tail-gating ! Stupid Stupid Stupid

I get a grade after every drive. Don't have to look at it, but says I'll get a 15% discount on my next renewal.
Sounds good to me!
And I like driving like a responsible senior. Not in a big hurry to get to Walmart, nor my next stop in life.

[CFrance]

I got a $50/6-month discount after completing the course. Learned a lot. Most of us assume Florida law is the same as what we learned 50 years ago - many states away.

There are plenty of on-line course available. Just search. AAA comes to mind.
I'd prefer the on-line. Sitting in a classroom with teacher trying to be cute for hours doesn't seem productive to me.

- - -
I also signed up for vehicle monitoring with my insurance company recently. They do watch for excessive speed, but more important is jerky motion, and using cell phone while driving.
Jerky motion - you will drive jerky if playing with your dang cellphone.
But more important, heavy braking because your are tail-gating ! Stupid Stupid Stupid

I get a grade after every drive. Don't have to look at it, but says I'll get a 15% discount on my next renewal.
Sounds good to me!
And I like driving like a responsible senior. Not in a big hurry to get to Walmart, nor my next stop in life.
Would you please say where the course was and what insurance company is giving you the discount?

[LoisR]

My wife and I recently complered an online auto safety course. We contacted our insurance agent and was told a discount of about $2 (yes $2, not a typo) was available.

[westernrider75]

Would you please say where the course was and what insurance company is giving you the discount?

My State Farm agent told me they give a 5% discount once you complete the course and get the certificate and forward to them.

[bmcgowan13]

My wife and I recently complered an online auto safety course. We contacted our insurance agent and was told a discount of about $2 (yes $2, not a typo) was available.

From my agent. Sent 1/14/25.

"The cost of the class is more than the discount you would receive. They offer a $7 discount per year, (which is not per driver). If you’d like to take it you sure can and I will just need the certificate of completion. But if the sole purpose is to save money it isn’t worth it."

You can google "safe driver course insurance discount".

[gorillarick]

Would you please say where the course was and what insurance company is giving you the discount?
ASI Mature Driving Course ASIcourse.com American Safety Institute
I paid $14.95 for it in 2023.
Researched several others, and thought this was the most credible - really wanting to do some good vs. making a quick buck. Would assume most others are based on this one.

My insurance company is USAA, members only.

[ffresh]

What a stupid law. It doesn't state the amount of the discount. And with rates changing every 6 months, how do you know that you are even getting a discount?

In some states, you must attend, in person, a class on safety = no big deal. After that, you can complete the obligatory requirement online. The discount is listed, usually, on the back of the first page of your coverage - the "decs" page, where each of the discounts are enumerated. If you don't receive a paper copy of your insurance statement, then you'll have to go online to retrieve it.

FredF

[MarvM]

Am I reading this right, FL law requires auto insurers to give people 55 years old or older a discount if we complete a safety course? Anybody know where we can do a safety course?

Chapter 627 Section 0652 - 2024 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0627.0652)

If you take the AARP Drivers Safety course, which can be one online, you will get a perentage discount on one of the items on your insurance. I think it is the Collision. The course is good for 3 years and is good for anyone needing a refresher in Defensive Driving techniques. Something that is very important in TV.

[Mlundberg]

If you have a moving violation, some insurance companies will deny you the drivers safety course discount for three years .

[TinaBlitz]

ASI Mature Driving Course ASIcourse.com American Safety Institute
I paid $14.95 for it in 2023.
Researched several others, and thought this was the most credible - really wanting to do some good vs. making a quick buck. Would assume most others are based on this one.

My insurance company is USAA, members only.

How much did USAA give you as a discount?

[Cliff Fr]

Would the cost of the course exceed the discount?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I got a $50/6-month discount after completing the course. Learned a lot. Most of us assume Florida law is the same as what we learned 50 years ago - many states away.

There are plenty of on-line course available. Just search. AAA comes to mind.
I'd prefer the on-line. Sitting in a classroom with teacher trying to be cute for hours doesn't seem productive to me.

- - -
I also signed up for vehicle monitoring with my insurance company recently. They do watch for excessive speed, but more important is jerky motion, and using cell phone while driving.
Jerky motion - you will drive jerky if playing with your dang cellphone.
But more important, heavy braking because your are tail-gating ! Stupid Stupid Stupid

I get a grade after every drive. Don't have to look at it, but says I'll get a 15% discount on my next renewal.
Sounds good to me!
And I like driving like a responsible senior. Not in a big hurry to get to Walmart, nor my next stop in life.

Yup. I'm cashing my $16.84 check for safe driving this month. Usually it'd be applied to my premium but I already paid it. I get a whole bunch of discounts already.

[Rainger99]

My wife and I recently completed an online auto safety course. We contacted our insurance agent and was told a discount of about $2 (yes $2, not a typo) was available.

That is what my insurance company told me. The course costs more than the discount!!

[gorillarick]

I hope people take the course for more than just the discount. I learned a few facepalm items like;
There is no " but I had the right-of-way " in Florida. If you cause an accident because you claim you had the right-of-way, you caused the accident.

That was a neck-stretcher, but makes sense. Yeah, some people could abuse this one -> reckless drivers.

- - -

I've lived in six states, and one foreign country. This is a freakin' dangerous place compared to all of them.

[Normal]

We live in a”No Fault” state. That is what makes insurance rates astronomical in Florida. Insurance lapses aren’t enforced unless a driver is pulled over and people can register their cars 2 years in advance which doesn’t require proof if done by mail. There are a ton of loops that create the uninsured driver and make your rates high. Probably one of the biggest causes is illegal immigration’s impact and the uninsured. All of these create problems that legislators and law enforcement could fix, but won’t.



This brings me to what you can do. Let’s say you own a five year old car that’s only has a replacement value of 15 to 20 K. Florida Law states you only need 10,000 PIP and 10,000 PDL coverage. Change your policy to do the minimums. Most sold policies will have these items cranked way up to 250,000 or even 500,000 for property. Adjust your policy and save.

[Bill14564]

....

This brings me to what you can do. Let’s say you own a five year old car that’s only has a replacement value of 15 to 20 K. Florida Law states you only need 10,000 per vehicle and 10,000 for bodily injury coverage. Change your policy to do the minimums. Most sold policies will have these items cranked way up to 250,000 or even 500,000 for property. Adjust your policy and save.

Be careful giving out insurance advice when you don't understand what the insurance requirements are.

[Normal]

Be careful giving out insurance advice when you don't understand what the insurance requirements are.

Thank You

Clarified… straight from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Any vehicle with a current Florida registration must:

Be insured with PIP and PDL insurance at the time of vehicle registration.
have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL.

Vehicles registered as taxis must carry bodily injury liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence and $50,000 for (PDL) coverage.

Have continuous coverage even if the vehicle is not being driven or is inoperable. Surrender the license plate/tag BEFORE cancelling your insurance.

Purchase the policy from an insurance carrier licensed to do business in Florida. (If you are new to the state, you may ask your agent to transfer your current insurance to a Florida policy.)

Maintain Florida insurance coverage continuously throughout the registration period regardless of the vehicle’s location. (Military members stationed out-of-state/country may be exempt. Visit our military page for more information.)

Florida Insurance Requirements - Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/)

[Bill14564]

Clarified… straight from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Any vehicle with a current Florida registration must:

Be insured with PIP and PDL insurance at the time of vehicle registration.
have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL.

...

Yes, you must carry car insurance in Florida, those are the minimums, and you have the skills to cut and paste from a website.

Perhaps I misunderstood your recommendation above. It seems to imply that since your vehicle has a low value, the minimum PDL would suffice. However, the $10,000 PDL does not apply to your vehicle, it covers damages caused to someone else's property:
PDL coverage pays for damage to another person’s property caused by you or someone else driving your insured vehicle.

So unless you are careful to only have an accident with another five year old car with a replacement value of $10,000 or less, the minimum coverage would not be sufficient and could lead to an uncomfortable situation.

Personally, I like the idea of a higher PIP available too in case I ever need it.

[Sully2023]

Am I reading this right, FL law requires auto insurers to give people 55 years old or older a discount if we complete a safety course? Anybody know where we can do a safety course?

Chapter 627 Section 0652 - 2024 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0627.0652)

I signed up for the safe pilot app for my Usaa car insurance. The app tracks your phone usage - texting, talking, internet (any phone use) and braking hard when driving. It’s changed the way I drive. I no longer look at my phone at all when driving. I keep my distance from drivers in front of me and learned how to enter circles without braking hard. I save 30 percent each year based on my 91 out of 100 score.

I have to admit I was not happy with the app when I first started. I’ve grown use to it and it makes me a better driver.

[jjombrello]

We recently took the excellent AARP Drivers Course and turned in our certificate to AAA Insurance to get our discount. The cost of the course for the two of us was $40.00. The discount on our auto insurance was, as I recall, $25.00.

[Pairadocs]

My wife and I recently complered an online auto safety course. We contacted our insurance agent and was told a discount of about $2 (yes $2, not a typo) was available.

Which company was that ? Hope not ours (Progressive) LOL ~!

[DAVES]

Am I reading this right, FL law requires auto insurers to give people 55 years old or older a discount if we complete a safety course? Anybody know where we can do a safety course?

Chapter 627 Section 0652 - 2024 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2024/0627.0652)

I regularly wonder why ask here. Call your insurance company. Ex New Yorker. They had a program where you would take a course, several hours movies etc and you would get if I recall 10% off comprehensive and 10% off collision, The discount was good for three years and you would need to do it again. You could also take the course to remove points from your license. Would be groups of around 50. Truth a bit scary to discover what some people THINK? is proper driving.

POLITE? We have some INTERESTING drivers, walkers etc around here.

[DAVES]

Be careful giving out insurance advice when you don't understand what the insurance requirements are.

I would say the same about any advice. Imagine stopped by a cop or whatever. Excuse but xxxxxx
on TALK OF THE VILLAGES said it was OK. Books on that are very amusing.

[gorillarick]

replying to: I signed up for the safe pilot app for my Usaa car insurance. The app tracks:

Yeah, and my gas mileage has gone up !

[DAVES]

Yes, you must carry car insurance in Florida, those are the minimums, and you have the skills to cut and paste from a website.

Perhaps I misunderstood your recommendation above. It seems to imply that since your vehicle has a low value, the minimum PDL would suffice. However, the $10,000 PDL does not apply to your vehicle, it covers damages caused to someone else's property:
PDL coverage pays for damage to another person’s property caused by you or someone else driving your insured vehicle.

So unless you are careful to only have an accident with another five year old car with a replacement value of $10,000 or less, the minimum coverage would not be sufficient and could lead to an uncomfortable situation.

Personally, I like the idea of a higher PIP available too in case I ever need it.

REALITY. People do not understand insurance.. You pay a premium to a company to share or pay the entire cost for loss. It is a numbers game. They pull out their tables and attempt to understand what the risk is. It is interesting. HUH? A low credit score is higher risk. Share the risk? You pay less with a higher deductible. You are self insuring whatever the deductible amount is

If, you have nothing other than ethics, you do not need insurance. They have not cut off body parts for not paying bills for quite a while.

Auto insurance the law is you must have minimal coverage to have a licensed vehicle-plates. Endless POSTS re: golf carts. If, you decide just to buy the minimum required insurance-IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU CANNOT BE SUED FOR MORE THAN YOUR INSURANCE..

Uninsured motorist insurance. Wise to have, fairly inexpensive but see the outrage.
YOU are paying insurance so, fairly common, someone with no insurance or little insurance damages your property.

[retiredguy123]

REALITY. People do not understand insurance.. You pay a premium to a company to share or pay the entire cost for loss. It is a numbers game. They pull out their tables and attempt to understand what the risk is. It is interesting. HUH? A low credit score is higher risk. Share the risk? You pay less with a higher deductible. You are self insuring whatever the deductible amount is

If, you have nothing other than ethics, you do not need insurance. They have not cut off body parts for not paying bills for quite a while.

Auto insurance the law is you must have minimal coverage to have a licensed vehicle-plates. Endless POSTS re: golf carts. If, you decide just to buy the minimum required insurance-IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU CANNOT BE SUED FOR MORE THAN YOUR INSURANCE..

Uninsured motorist insurance. Wise to have, fairly inexpensive but see the outrage.
YOU are paying insurance so, fairly common, someone with no insurance or little insurance damages your property.
To clarify, if you have adequate collision insurance and medical insurance, you do not need uninsured motorist insurance. I have no UM insurance. I have liability, collision, comprehensive, and the mandatory PIP insurance only.

[Salty Dog]

To clarify, if you have adequate collision insurance and medical insurance, you do not need uninsured motorist insurance. I have no UM insurance. I have liability, collision, comprehensive, and the mandatory PIP insurance only.

Same here. I've never had UM.

I have USAA with the App that keeps track of cell phone use and breaking sharply. I save nearly $500 a year.