Car Insurance for First Responders

On average, first responders can expect auto insurance costs of $1,820 a year, which is higher than the national average of $1,047.¹

Why Is It More Expensive?

It’s not entirely clear why first responders pay more than the rest of the population on average, but it’s a fact that only a few insurance companies offer discounts for drivers in these professions. Here are some additional reasons why certain people may pay more for car insurance:

• Age: Younger first responders and any driver under age 25 will have higher rates than adults 25 and older as they are more likely to file a claim due to their lack of driving experience.
• Car make/model: Your vehicle model could make a significant difference, as cars with higher safety ratings are cheaper to insure than cars with low safety ratings.
• Coverage: Full coverage car insurance is always more expensive than minimum coverage.
• Driving history: Someone with a bad driving history with tickets, at-fault accidents and points on their record will have higher rates compared to someone with a clean driving record.
• Gender: Most states allow insurance companies to charge men more than women due to their increased crash rates, which have been proven statistically. However, if you’re located in California, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina or Pennsylvania, your insurer can’t charge you a higher rate based on gender.
• Credit score: Drivers with bad credit will see higher rates in every state except Massachusetts, Michigan, Hawaii and California.

Rates by Provider

USAA, which covers only military members, veterans and their families, has the lowest car insurance rates for first responders, provided you also have the military connection this provider requires. On average, USAA pricing for first responders is $1,206 per year. On the other end of the spectrum is Infinity, which caters to high-risk drivers, hence its high price of $4,020.

Most auto insurance companies don’t offer discounts for first responders, be they police officers, firefighters, paramedics or EMTs. However, here are the insurers that do.

• American Family: 15 percent off
• Country Financial: 5 to 10 percent off, but must be a full-time first responder
• Liberty Mutual: In Massachusetts, 12 percent off of home and auto bundles for members of the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association
• Mercury: Discount amount not publicly listed
• National General: RV discount for current or former emergency response professionals, amount not publicly listed

Getting an employment discount isn’t your only option for lowering auto insurance costs. Here are other ways to save.

Bundle

If you’re a homeowner, bundle your home and auto insurance to save money by taking out policies from the same provider. Bundles can apply to any type of insurance, such as renters, life and more.

Lower Limits

Lowering your limits will decrease your auto insurance premiums but will also mean your insurance company will be less financially responsible for your future losses. It’s a trade-off; saving money now could mean spending more money later.

Increase Deductible

In the same vein, increasing the size of your deductible for collision/comprehensive coverage will also lower premiums but will mean you’ll owe more out of pocket for your physical damages.

Drop Coverages

You can get away with purchasing only the minimum amount of car insurance your state requires, dropping optional coverages like rental car coverage, roadside assistance and new car replacement. No state requires collision or comprehensive coverage and it’s probably not a necessity if you drive an older car.

Ask for More Discounts

Your employment discount is probably not the only discount your car insurance company has available. Ask your agent what other discounts apply to you, like rate cuts for having multiple vehicles or enrolling in online billing.

Enroll in Usage-Based Insurance

Are you a good driver who never drives distracted, drowsy or drunk? Maybe you drive very few miles because you use your work vehicle primarily or work from home. If that’s the case, consider usage-based insurance, in which you’re charged based on either your mileage only or a combination of your mileage and driving behaviors.

While dropping coverage may save you money, it could cost you more money down the line if you get into an accident or have your car stolen, for example. Whether you’re a first responder or not, we recommend full coverage insurance, which includes the following:

• Property damage coverage: Required in every state except New Hampshire and Virginia, the two states that don’t require auto insurance at all, property damage coverage pays for damages you caused outside of your car.
• Bodily injury liability coverage: Similarly, bodily injury coverage is required in every state that requires car insurance except New Jersey and Florida. It pays for injuries you cause outside of your vehicle.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): Imagine someone hit your car and was driving without insurance or without high enough limits to cover your losses. UM/UIM would kick in to make you whole again, covering all of your losses. Some states require UM/UIM, but we recommend it even if it’s not required.
• Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive coverage pays for your vehicle’s damages if it’s involved in a natural disaster like a hurricane or hail, auto theft or vandalism. No state requires comprehensive coverage or its sister, collision insurance.
• Collision coverage: Collision insurance pays for your vehicle damages regardless of fault. It’s most commonly applied when you are at fault, although you can also use it if the other party’s property damage liability limit is lower than your total loss.
• Personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage (MedPay): Depending on which fault system your state has, PIP or MedPay would cover you and your passengers’ injuries. PIP also covers lost wages and childcare costs.

While we wish more companies offered discounts to first responders, you can still find quality auto insurance that you can afford with the tips above. Learn more in our FAQ section below.