As a firefighter, you know the importance of being prepared for anything. That’s why auto insurance for firefighters is critical since the unexpected can happen when you’re on the road. While there’s no specific car insurance for this group, firefighters can often qualify for discounts on their coverage.
We’ve ranked the best auto insurance for firefighters and have come up with the options that fit drivers’ coverage and budget needs well. The simplest way to find top choices is by comparing free quotes from various providers as you navigate the insurance market.
How Much Do Firefighters Pay for Car Insurance?
Firefighters receive a lot of defensive driving training, especially for emergency situations. It’s not easy to maneuver a firetruck through traffic, and it’s important that accidents get avoided. This training gives them an edge in driving, which translates over to relatively cheap car insurance for firefighters.
Fewer accidents typically mean lower car insurance rates, so firefighters are often considered low-risk drivers when they’re off from work. That’s not always true, though, so those with bad driving records will pay steep rates even if they’re firefighters.
The best way to find affordable auto insurance for firefighters is by getting instant quotes from various providers before picking one. It’s also smart to consider Country Financial, California Casualty, Liberty Mutual and other insurers that offer special discounts for first responders.
Auto Insurance Discounts for Firefighters
While you’ll sometimes find a specific first responder discount that firefighters can qualify for, there are plenty of other ways to save on auto insurance for firefighters. Below, we’ll run through a few ways to reduce your car insurance rates as either a full-time or a volunteer firefighter.
Occupational Discount
Firefighters are sometimes eligible for an occupational discount, which lowers rates for police officers, firefighters and EMTs. While first responders can often take advantage of this savings opportunity, it’s not offered by all car insurance companies.
We’d recommend getting quotes from Country Financial, Liberty Mutual and California Casualty if you’re hoping to get cheap auto insurance for firefighters by using an occupational discount. While it’s not always possible for law enforcement officers, EMS crews and firefighters to receive specific discounts, it’s worth asking about savings on car insurance for first responders.
Good Driver Discount
Most car insurance providers offer a good driver discount to policyholders with spotless driving records. The requirements for this discount vary from company to company, but you’ll typically need to be accident-free for a certain number of years.
You can save 10% or more on your auto insurance premium if you qualify for a good driver discount. If you’ve been in an accident, you may still be eligible if it wasn’t your fault or if the accident was minor and did not result in any claim being filed.
Multi-Car Discount
Auto insurance for firefighters can be much cheaper per car if you insure more than one vehicle on the same plan. While you’ll pay a higher monthly rate when covering multiple cars, expect to receive cheap auto insurance overall due to the extra vehicles listed on your plan.
Multi-Policy Discount
If you insure your home and car with the same insurance company, you may be eligible for a multi-policy discount. This discount is typically offered to those who bundle their homeowners insurance, renters insurance and life insurance policies with their auto coverage. It can often reduce drivers’ overall rates for car insurance by somewhere between 5 and 15%.
Usage-Based Discount
Many insurance companies offer usage-based insurance programs to reward those who don’t drive often and motorists who demonstrate safe driving practices. To qualify for this discount, customers must agree to have their driving habits tracked via a telematics device or an app.
The data collected by your auto insurer is then used to calculate monthly premiums. Those who exhibit good driving behaviors, such as maintaining safe speeds and avoiding hard acceleration and braking, are typically eligible for discounts. If you need auto insurance for firefighters but rarely drive your personal vehicle, also consider pay-as-you-go insurance.
Increase Your Deductible
Your deductible is the amount that you’ll pay out of pocket before your insurance products kick in. By increasing your deductible, expect to be charged more upfront before your car insurance coverage takes effect after an accident. While this isn’t ideal, it does mean that your monthly premiums will be much lower than they would be otherwise.
Reduce Your Coverage Limits
It’s critical that all drivers carry at least minimum liability insurance when on the road, but extra coverage isn’t mandatory. Try to exceed your state’s minimum requirements when possible, as casualty insurance provides extremely valuable protection. However, those who need to save on car coverage can find reduced rates by cutting back on their limits.
Why Does Occupation Matter for Car Insurance?
Occupations are one of many factors used by auto insurance companies when they set rates. Your line of work influences car insurance rates because insurers factor in statistical data, driving behaviors, travel tendencies and your specific location.
Insurance companies invest plenty of resources into systems that can calculate the risk of covering those of certain professions. For example, people who travel to or from work late at night would likely pay higher rates versus someone with more regular hours.
Firefighter insurance costs are relatively low because auto insurers have found that they’re often responsible when on the road. Because of that, there’s great accessibility of cheap coverage for firefighters, others who work at fire departments and those who drive emergency vehicles.
Our Recommendations for Auto Insurance
While auto insurance for firefighters and other first responders is rarely expensive, you’ll still want to find affordable rates for the right coverage. It’s smart to consider companies such as Country Financial, Liberty Mutual and California Casualty if you want an occupational discount.
We’d also recommend looking at State Farm, GEICO and USAA as you get multiple auto insurance quotes to discover your best rates. Comparing various providers before selecting a car insurance provider is almost always the simplest way to find your top option.
State Farm: Best Overall
State Farm is the largest auto insurance provider in the U.S. because of its affordable rates and wide range of local insurance agents. The company offers a plethora of coverage options and is known for its large number of discounts for student drivers. These include savings opportunities for those who go through driver’s education courses, students with good grades and those who leave their vehicles at home while away at school.
GEICO: Best Discounts
Drivers turn to GEICO for its affordable rates and for its impressive number of car insurance discounts. Ways to save with the company include taking defensive driving classes, wearing your seat belt and being a member of the military or a federal employee. Motorists rarely have trouble getting their claims fulfilled by GEICO, which receives relatively strong customer reviews.
USAA: Best Military Provider
Those who are military members, veterans or family members of them can qualify for coverage from USAA. This provider receives stellar reviews for its customer service standards, and its rates are often some of the lowest across the country. Note that most drivers won’t be eligible for USAA, though, due to its strict membership requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does your occupation affect your car insurance premiums?
Your occupation is one of many factors that insurance companies look at when setting rates. Certain occupations are considered higher risk than others, so individuals with those jobs may pay higher premiums.
How can firefighters lower their auto insurance rates?
Firefighters can take a few steps to lower their auto insurance rates. They can bundle home insurance with liability coverage and can also seek out discounts. It’s also smart to shop around and compare rates from different car insurers to make sure that you’re getting the best deal.
Do you need special car insurance if you're a firefighter?
No, you don’t need special auto insurance for firefighters. However, it’s important to make sure that your auto insurer is aware of your occupation so that it can properly assess your risk level and offer you appropriate rates. In addition, firefighters may be eligible for specific discounts that can help to lower their premiums.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car insurance provider to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Our in-depth rating system takes into account market share, coverage, auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each insurer is given a weighted score in four categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto insurance companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
