If you simply can't find the time to take a defensive driving course in person, then you may choose to take a flexible online defensive driving course. Unlike courses that you must attend on a schedule, online courses gives you the option of working around your schedule. Plus, you can take courses from a variety of schools across the United States that you would not have access to in person.

If you need a course that is approved by the courts for ticket dismissal, then you must find out from the courts which courses they will accept before you register. The same is true if you are taking it for a reduction in auto insurance premiums. Many auto insurance companies provide an insurance discount for successful completion of a defensive driving course, but it depends on your insurance company's guidelines as to who will qualify for a discount and which courses they will accept.

Since there are no instructors needed to teach defensive driving online, you have a larger choice of courses to choose from at lower prices. You can find many good online defensive driving courses for as little as $25. If your goal is to learn as much as you can about driving more safely, you won't have to pay more to get the best information.

Many employers who hire drivers of commercial vehicles now require employees to take a defensive driving course before they are employed. They often have their employees take a course online at the employer's expense so that they can save money by hiring safer drivers. This has been shown to save employers as much as 30% on loss of vehicles and time off for employees with accident related injuries. It also helps employers save on their company's insurance premiums. Not only do these employees have fewer accidents on the clock, but their likelihood of an injury or fatality from an accident in their personal vehicle is reduced as well. If you have had to take defensive driving online for your employer, check with your insurance company to see if this also qualifies you for a discount on your own auto insurance premiums.

Defensive driving online usually requires a short number of hours to complete a course and it is at your own leisure. Once completed, many defensive driving courses will provide you with a certificate by the next day. You can take an online defensive driving course in a few hours that will help you drive more safely for years.

The amount of traffic on the highways continues to increase.  The number of accidents causing death and injury increase along with the rising number of vehicles.  When accidents occur, auto insurance has to pay to have vehicles fixed or replaced.  That leads to an increase of auto insurance premiums for everyone and especially for those drivers who have been involved in an accident.

Many large insurance companies have started giving an auto insurance discount for defensive driving course completion.  These defensive driving courses are so effective in preventing accidents that the insurance companies know they will only improve their finances by encouraging drivers to participate in these courses.  An auto insurance discount for a defensive driving course only serves as incentive for drivers to enroll.  A typical discount is usually a ten percent reduction on auto insurance premiums.

How Can I Get An Auto Insurance Discount for a Defensive Driving Course?

The first thing to do is to check with your auto insurance company to see if they offer the discount.  If they do, you will want to know what their requirements are.  Some insurance companies only offer the discount to drivers in certain age groups which they consider to be high risk.  If your company does offer an auto insurance discount, then you need to know what courses they accept.  Also find out what they need for verification, how long the discount applies, and how often they may repeat the course for a discount.

Once you are ready to find a course, you may be surprised at the number of options you have.  Courses are available in almost any area and are also available online.  If you have a hectic schedule and you don't want to have to get away for classes, the online option will let you complete the course at your own pace.  Most will print out a certificate of completion when you finish so if all that is required for verification of completion to get your insurance discount, a defensive driving course online may be the ideal course for you.

Can I Get More Than An Insurance Discount From a Defensive Driving Course?

Although getting an auto insurance discount for a defensive driving course is certainly a good way to save money, it isn't the only reason and should not be the most important reason for taking a defensive driving course.  These courses turn novice drivers into safe drivers that have the skills to prevent accidents from occurring as a result of their own actions or those of other drivers.  Any time a program that lasts for only a few hours can be given credit for saving hundreds of lives, then it is worth more than just a discount. 

Many drivers think they are already such good drivers that their skills can't be improved upon and they would never consider taking a course in defensive driving if it were not for the insurance discount.  Defensive driving courses will teach you to be a better driver no matter what your incentive was for taking a course in the first place.