Car insurance for teachers can be a lot cheaper if you take the time to shop around and find out what discounts are available to you. A number of companies offer special car insurance discounts for teachers, including big names like Country Financial, Farmers, State Auto and Geico.
The cheapest car insurance for teachers is found at Country Financial, with Geico a close second. Below, we’ll explore cheap auto insurance for teachers, including which companies offer discounts and which even specialize in educator auto insurance.
- Teachers are considered low-risk drivers, which usually means lower rates.
- Farmers, Liberty Mutual, Country Financial, Geico, Esurance and Horace Mann are some of the insurers that offer teacher car insurance discounts.
- Membership in educator associations and groups can also earn you discounts on your car insurance.
How much is car insurance for teachers?
Teachers are considered low-risk drivers. That can lead to a 2% discount off the base rate. Couple that with an education discount — the amount varies based on degree level — and a teacher could save another $50 off their annual rate.
Below, you will see the average rates for teachers at several major car insurance companies.
| Company | Average base rate | Average teacher rate | Price difference in $ | Price difference % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas Insurance | $1,154 | $1,046 | $108 | 10.00% |
| Country Financial | $1,645 | $1,494 | $151 | 9.17% |
| Geico | $1,791 | $1,609 | $182 | 9.77% |
| Mercury Insurance | $2,276 | $2,100 | $176 | 7.72% |
| Progressive | $2,459 | $2,103 | $356 | 14.42% |
| Automobile Club MI | $2,769 | $2,557 | $212 | 6.90% |
| State Auto | $4,277 | $4,143 | $134 | 3.13% |
Of course, the rate you pay depends on the insurance. Geico has the lowest rates overall across the country based on Insurance.com’s 2022 analysis of top market-share companies for full coverage. Since Geico also has a teacher discount, it’s possible you’ll get the best rate there. Progressive’s average teacher discount is nearly 15%, which means if you have a lower base rate there than average, you’ll save more with Progressive.
Car insurance discounts for teachers
A number of insurance companies provide teacher-related discounts if you provide proof that you’re in education. Some of the insurers that offer educator discounts include:
- Farmers
- State Auto
- Plymouth Rock
- California Casualty
- Geico
- Esurance
- Horace Mann
There’s no industry-wide discount for teachers, but Megan MacBey, account executive at Eagle Insurance Group in Massachusetts, says you can get savings in other ways.
“Discounts would depend on the company. Some may have an affinity program for teachers with certain schools or universities, but there is not a general discount that applies for all teachers,” she says.
In addition to companies offering specific teacher discounts, there are other options for educators.
Educator group discounts. Membership in organizations such as state educator associations can earn you a discount on your car insurance. For example, in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) provides several discounts, including 12% off with State Auto. They also partner with Educators Insurance Agency, which is a member of the Hanover Insurance Group, for other discounts.
Alumni discounts. Many colleges and universities offer insurance discount programs for their students and alumni. Check with your alma mater.
How can teachers get cheaper car insurance rates?
The cheapest car insurance for teachers doesn’t stop at educator discounts. Ask about all of these discounts:
- Paperless billing, auto-pay or prepaid
- Homeowner
- Auto and home or renters insurance bundles
- Low mileage
- Good/safe driver
- Multi-car
- Safety and security features
And let’s not forget comparison shopping. The best insurer for one person might not be perfect for someone else, so it’s important to compare rates from several different companies.
Here are a few other ways to get cheap car insurance rates:
- Watch for rate increases prior to renewal and be ready to shop around.
- Maintain a clean driving record and good credit.
- Maintain continual auto insurance coverage as a lapse can increase rates.
- Increase your deductible.
Remember that while low rates are great, some companies offer additional perks for teachers. State Auto offers coverage for teaching supplies and a $0 deductible for school-related damage. Horace Mann is an insurance company dedicated entirely to educators. Make sure you balance the service you’re getting with the rate you’re paying.
Methodology
Insurance.com commissioned rates from Quadrant Data Services for a 40-year-old driver with a clean record and good credit, with full coverage. Base rates were compared to rates with teacher discounts from companies offering those discounts.
