Ever wondered if there is special auto insurance for healthcare workers? If so, then you have come to the right place. Want to jump right in to searching for car insurance quotes from first-rate insurers? Feel free to try our comparison tool below.
In our guide, we discuss what car insurance discounts are available to nurses and other healthcare professionals. We also outline how your occupation and education level can impact car insurance rates in various states. Our goal is to help you find an excellent auto insurance policy and save money.
As part of that mission, we have reviewed the top insurance companies in the nation so that you can find the perfect provider for your driving needs. We ranked the best insurance providers like GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, Nationwide and more.
What to Expect: Auto Insurance Rates for Healthcare Workers
As mentioned above, your occupation will impact insurance premiums. However, the auto insurance rates for healthcare workers of different education levels will vary. For instance, some auto insurance providers offer healthcare worker discounts specifically for registered nurses and “frontline” employees, such as paramedics.
Remember, car insurance companies base quotes and pricing on a risk assessment. These organizations invest a lot of time in researching every aspect of a driver’s life to make wise business decisions. As part of this research, insurers track which careers have a higher risk of being involved in a traffic accident.
For example, a traveling healthcare worker that drives their vehicle to make home visits may not be eligible for auto insurance discounts. This is because extra time on the road substantially increases the risks of being involved in a crash.
Are Healthcare Workers Considered Safe Drivers?
When it comes to obtaining auto insurance for healthcare workers, it is essential to keep in mind that risk is evaluated based on specific occupations within the industry. Insurers do not offer a blanket healthcare worker discount that is equal for all fields. A driver’s risk varies depending on their specific role within the healthcare industry.
For example, nurses are one of the lowest risk healthcare workers. On the other hand, doctors are considered higher risk than nurses. This makes sense, as doctors often have “on-call” assignments and pull 24-hour shifts at hospitals or surgical centers. Driving while sleep-deprived or at odd hours is unsafe and increases the chances of a doctor being involved in a traffic crash.
In addition, nurses are naturally considered to be more careful drivers by insurance companies. While nurses are still subject to working overnight shifts, they typically have better schedules than doctors. Nursing is also thought to be slightly less stressful than physician work, which insurance companies believe contributes to risk.
Does Education Level Affect Auto Insurance Rates?
As mentioned earlier, your education level will affect your ability to obtain cheaper auto insurance for healthcare workers. Most of the time, insurers only offer discounts to healthcare workers with a college degree. However, some states have banned the use of education-related information when determining insurance rates.
Insurance companies believe that drivers with higher education levels are at a lower risk of filing a claim. In contrast, drivers with only a high school education are deemed “high risk” by some insurance providers. Insurers will also assess your driving history and credit score when providing you with a quote.
Discounts on Auto Insurance for Healthcare Workers
Many of the top insurance providers in the United States offer occupation-based discounts for healthcare workers and other professionals. However, this is not always the case.
When you are shopping for a policy, verify that the company you are considering offers these discounts. You should also compare multiple insurance quotes before making your final decision to ensure that you save as much money as possible on your new policy. Once you have settled on a provider, you can complete your purchase online in a few easy steps.
If you are a member of a national healthcare association like the American Nurses Association or Health Care Administrators Association, you may be eligible for group insurance rates. These group rates open the door to even more savings.
It is also crucial to keep in mind that many insurers have expanded their discount programs to include all healthcare workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Be sure to do your research so that you get the most out of your new policy.
You can also obtain discounts in other ways, like opting for a multi-policy insurance plan. You can do this by bundling your homeowner’s coverage and life insurance with your car insurance policy. You can also bundle renters and auto insurance if you do not own a home. Bundling is a great way to obtain lower rates.
How Do Auto Insurance Companies Monitor Your Driving?
When requesting a quote for a new policy, auto insurance companies will collect various information about your driving habits. This information will include things like:
- Average miles driven
- What your vehicle is used for (business or personal)
- Your zip code
- Your place of employment (may be required for healthcare worker discounts)
All of the information mentioned above is used to conduct a risk assessment based on your driving habits. Some providers may also offer additional discounts for using a tracking app or monitoring device. Typically, providers require you to use these devices for no less than three months to be eligible for safe driver discounts.
Our Recommendations for Auto Insurance
Now that we have taken a comprehensive look at insurance costs for healthcare professionals, it is time to help you find reliable car insurance coverage. Our experts have reviewed some of the largest companies in the insurance industry so that you can find the perfect provider to meet your needs.
If you would like to learn more, try our free rate comparison tool below and obtain quotes from USAA and GEICO providers.
USAA: Best for Military Families
Whether you need a full coverage policy or basic bodily injury and liability insurance, USAA has plenty of options to choose from.
USAA only offers coverage to members of the armed forces and their immediate families. If you are a healthcare worker and happen to have a close relative in the military, then you might want to check out USAA’s auto insurance options.
GEICO: Best Overall
During our review of the best car insurance companies in the nation, our experts named GEICO as the Best Overall provider. The insurance giant earned a top score of 9.5 out of 10.0 overall. It also received a score of 9.5 for industry reputation and a 9.0 for cost, customer experience and coverage.
GEICO offers a ton of discounts and affordable auto insurance for healthcare workers. It also provides rideshare insurance and mechanical breakdown coverage.
FAQ: Auto Insurance for Healthcare Workers
Do Doctors Pay Less for Car Insurance?
Doctors will qualify for healthcare worker discounts. They are also likely to drive newer cars with modern safety features, which will lead to further savings. However, it is important to note that someone will not automatically have extremely cheap car insurance rates simply because they are a doctor.
Does GEICO Offer Discounts for Nurses?
Yes, GEICO is one of many car insurance companies that offer discounts for nurses. In addition, it provides safe driver and multi-car discounts to help you save even more money.
How Does My Commute Impact My Insurance Rates?
When requesting auto insurance quotes, most companies ask how many miles you drive on average. If you have a longer commute, your rates may be a bit higher. This is because additional time on the road increases your chances of being involved in an accident.
Where Can You Get Auto Insurance Discounts as a Healthcare Worker?
A variety of insurers offer coverage discounts to healthcare workers. Once you have done some research and found an affordable auto policy, reach out to an insurance agent. They will be able to detail specific discounts with you and help you save money.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car insurance provider to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Our in-depth rating system considers market share, coverage, auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, customer satisfaction, and ratings from industry experts. Each insurer receives a weighted score in four categories and an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto insurance companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
