How To Get a Defensive Driving Course Discount

At The Hartford, we believe in rewarding safe drivers. In fact, you can get a defensive driving discount of up to 5% on your car insurance by completing an approved course.
Author:
Lily DiGregorio
Lily DiGregorio,Staff copywriter
Lily DiGregorio
Staff copywriter specializing in auto and home insurance for The Hartford.
Reviewed By:
Ben Ewbank
Ben Ewbank,Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing
Ben Ewbank
Head of Personal Lines State Product and Pricing at The Hartford.
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Updated: 06/16/2025
Read Time: 3 minutes
man pleased with defensive driving course discount from The Hartford
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Key Takeaways

  • AARP® Auto Insurance from The Hartford1 offers car insurance discounts and exclusive benefits for being responsible on the road, like a defensive driving course discount.
  • If you complete an approved defensive driving course online or in-person, you can enjoy a discount of up to 5% on your car insurance with The Hartford for the next three years.
  • In addition to potential savings, defensive driving courses are also beneficial because they help to keep you and others safe on the road.

What Are Defensive Driving Courses?

Whether it’s traffic tickets or collisions, unexpected accidents happen to drivers every day. That’s why it’s important to be as prepared as possible. A defensive driver course, sometimes referred to as an insurance reduction class, teaches important driving skills and techniques designed to prevent car accidents and keep your driving record clean. You’ll not only learn the newest techniques on safe driving, but you may be able to receive car auto insurance discounts if your course is approved by your insurer.
 

Getting a Defensive Driving Course Discount

The Hartford makes it simple to get car insurance discounts for your safe driving habits. If you complete an approved defensive driving course, like the AARP Smart Driver™ course, you can enjoy savings of up to 5% on your car insurance. You can take courses online or locally, but approval may vary by state.
Tip:
Not all courses count – check before you enroll. To ensure your time and effort lead to savings, call The Hartford at 888-546-9099 before signing up to make sure your defensive driving course is eligible for a discount.

Do States Require Defensive Driver Course Discounts?

States don’t typically require drivers to take defensive driving courses. Depending on where you live, you may have different defensive driver courses available. You may also have different requirements from both the class provider and your insurer. The best way to be sure is to call your provider directly.
 
No matter what state you’re located in, taking a defensive driver course never hurts. Refreshing your skills on the road can:
 
  • Provide peace of mind knowing you’re staying vigilant
  • Help to avoid accidents or violations
  • Result in savings, whether you qualify for a defensive driving discount or if your safe driving habits help to reduce your premium overtime

How Does the Defensive Driver Discount Work?

Defensive driving insurance discounts work by reducing your car insurance premium after successful completion of an approved course. At The Hartford, a discount will be applied to your car insurance for the next three years after you send us a copy of your certificate. Then, we’ll apply the savings from your completed defensive driving course to lower your insurance premium directly.
 

Additional Discounts From The Hartford

With AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford, safe drivers can take advantage of car insurance discounts designed to help you save money, including:
 
  • Bundle insurance savings: You can save over $800 when you bundle policies and combine your auto and home insurance with The Hartford.**
  • Payment discounts: You can save up to 10% just for paying your bill on time. And, if you pay your bill in full instead of making monthly payments, you can receive extra savings.
  • Vehicle safety discounts: Having certain safety features in your car, like anti-lock brakes, can save you money.
  • Safe driver discount: To qualify for a safe driver discount, you’ll need to maintain a clean driving record for five years. Then, you can save up to 10% on your auto insurance policy.
driver pleased with defensive driving insurance discount from The Hartford

Get a Car Insurance Quote From The Hartford

Since 1984, AARP Auto Insurance from The Hartford has been protecting drivers and their families on the road. To learn more about The Hartford’s defensive driver discount and other benefits to help you stay safe and save, get a car insurance quote online or call us at 888-546-9099.

Frequently Asked Questions About Defensive Driving Course Discount

If you’ve completed an approved defensive driving course, you can enjoy a discount of up to 5% on your car insurance for the next three years. To learn more, call The Hartford at 888-546-9099.
You can find in-person or online defensive driving courses. Either way, you’ll want to make sure the course is approved by your insurance company. Call 888-546-9099 to speak to The Hartford’s representatives about getting an insurance discount for defensive driving courses.
Usually there are no age eligibility requirements to qualify for defensive driving discounts. These safe driving courses benefit drivers of all ages by sharpening their skills on the road, resulting in car insurance premium savings. To see how you can receive a credit on your car insurance, call The Hartford at 888-546-9099.
Most car insurance companies offer some sort of discount for safe drivers. To learn more about qualifying for a safety driving course insurance discount, along with other benefits and savings from The Hartford, call us at 888-546-9099.
Defensive driving courses can cost anywhere from $15 to $100. Before enrolling, take time to review the course format, eligibility and refund policy to ensure it meets your needs and your insurance provider’s requirements.
There may be some no-cost defensive driving courses, but you’ll want to make sure they provide enough education to keep you safe on the road and meet the discount requirements of your insurer.

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** Average savings amounts based on information reported by customers who switched to The Hartford from other carriers between 9/1/22 and 8/31/23. Your savings may vary. Average auto insurance savings is $577 and average home insurance savings is $236. Rate differences for AARP members and non-members vary by state and AARP membership tenure. Auto/Home discount is available only to policyholders who have both their auto and home (or condo or renters) insurance through the AARP Auto & Home Insurance program from The Hartford. The Hartford does not write new business in all areas, including the states of CA and FL.
 
§ Availability of RecoverCare benefit and benefit levels vary by state. The Hartford RecoverCare Advantage® is a registered mark of The Hartford.
 
§§ Terms and conditions apply.
 
‡ Terms and conditions apply. Accident Forgiveness and the Disappearing Deductible are not available to CA policyholders.
 
‡‡ Terms and conditions apply. Availability varies by state.
 
‡‡‡ Based on one car and driver; individual rate/premium/savings will vary based on actual coverage selections and characteristics of vehicle(s)/driver(s).
 
Additional disclosures below.
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Summaries of coverages and policy features are for informational purposes only. In the event of loss, the actual terms and conditions set forth in your policy will determine your coverage.
 
AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states.
 
The AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA, by Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company; in WA, by Hartford Casualty Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company and Twin City Fire Insurance Company. The AARP Home Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. It is underwritten in AZ, MI and MN by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast; in CA by Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford; in WA, by Trumbull Insurance Company; in MA, by Trumbull Insurance Company, Sentinel Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company; and in PA, by Nutmeg Insurance Company. Home product is not available in all areas, including the state of FL. Savings, benefits and coverages may vary and some applicants may not qualify. The Program is currently unavailable in Canada and U.S. Territories or possessions.
 
1 In Texas, the Auto Program is underwritten by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company through Hartford of the Southeast General Agency, Inc. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by Redpoint County Mutual Insurance Company. The Home Program is underwritten by Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.