Defensive Driving Schools?

**jonbeling** · 12-09-2003, 01:02 AM

Now that I have to claim another major accident in less then a

my insurance will skyrocket like it did after my first. Does defensive

driving schools really lower your premium? I guess this would be

directed towards anyone who actually has experienced or who is

an insurance company worker.

**madazskunk** · 12-09-2003, 02:46 AM

Yes it does lower your premium. Somebody told me that an insurance company has to give you a discount if you take defensive driving in Texas. I don`t know if that was true but I got a 10% discount for three years with Allstate.

**jonbeling** · 12-09-2003, 02:57 AM

I have USAA (United States Automotive Association) and I wont

find out how much i get off until i take it. What kind of costs are

in taking the course?

**madazskunk** · 12-09-2003, 03:23 AM

The class is only like $25-$35 but it`s like 6-8 hours long.

**medic** · 12-09-2003, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by jonbeling

I have USAA (United States Automotive Association) and I wont

find out how much i get off until i take it. What kind of costs are

in taking the course?

why can`t they tell you, your agent should be able to run a quote for you similar to if you were switching cars and wanted to know the insurance costs

**tomstin** · 12-09-2003, 03:48 PM

I was fortunate enough to take an evasive driving school sponsored by the NJ State Police that was basically what they teach the police minus pursuit. Saved my butt three times. There are lots of good training around. Took my daughter to Decisive Driving sponsored out of the Washington DC area. GREAT training for anyone but REALLY helps the teenagers.

Don`t take the training for insurance purposes, take it to save your life. It did for me! We all need training and regular refreshers. Nothing like an expert sitting next to you to point out stuff you never thought of! We all think we are the best drivers out there, but there is always room for improvement!

Now that I`m teaching my kids to drive it`s remarkable how much we do without thinking. Also, you think you know something until you try to teach it. It`s funny what you see from the passenger seat going down the highway at 70 mph with your 15 year old behind the wheel! What`s that? Another gray hair?????

**jchetty** · 12-11-2003, 12:11 AM

Originally posted by tomstin

I was fortunate enough to take an evasive driving school sponsored by the NJ State Police that was basically what they teach the police minus pursuit.

is this in jersey, cuz i would like to look into that:nixweiss

**Scottwax** · 12-11-2003, 01:34 AM

Defensive driving classes can lower your premium, but probably not enough to offset accident surcharges. Still, its better than nothing.

**tomstin** · 12-11-2003, 07:22 PM

jchetty, it was part of the training offered to volunteer firemen to many years ago to count (20 at least). We attended a 4 hour class room session one night, then the next weekend we beat the heck out of a dodge monaco for 8 hours, skid pad, emergency lane changing, obstacle avoidance etc. at one of the old WW2 airfields in Cape May. We had a blast, and learned a lot at the same time.

The class offered by the Car Guys http://www.carguys.com/ is well worth the time. I took my daughter and when my son has about a year under his belt we`ll travel up and do it again. All their driving is in YOUR car, so you see how your car reacts in the demos. A bit more controled than my experience but worth the time and money! I`ve been to more than my fair share of accidents, patched up quite a few and carried a few away. Gets your attention!!!!!