Just traded in my 2011 Camry Hybrid for a brand new 2025 Camry XLE with the premium plus package. I knew my insurance would go up, but I was surprised that Geico didn’t offer any discount for all the extra safety features.
Are there any insurance companies in the US that actually take these into account? Geico has always been good to me, but this seems like something they should be considering.
Most companies don’t really adjust for safety features anymore. Since almost every car has them now, they don’t see it as a reason to lower rates.
Briar said:
Most companies don’t really adjust for safety features anymore. Since almost every car has them now, they don’t see it as a reason to lower rates.
I get that they’re common, but they still make accidents less likely, right? When I called Geico, they basically told me if I have a seatbelt, I already have the max discount. I know the car is worth more, so the insurance increase makes sense, but you’d think safer cars would be less risky for them.
@RoadWarriorX
Just because a car has safety features doesn’t mean people are using them the right way. A lot of drivers rely too much on them and stop paying attention. Insurance companies can’t tell who’s actually driving safer versus who’s just trusting lane assist too much.
@Briar
Yep, I know a guy at work who spent like $75K on a fully loaded GMC truck. He immediately turned off all the driver assist features because he ‘wants to be in control.’ Four months later, he rear-ended someone. The tech is only helpful if people actually use it.
The safety features help avoid accidents, but they also make repairs more expensive. If you have parking sensors and someone bumps into you, fixing them costs way more than a regular bumper replacement.
I looked into this last year when I got a new car. Some companies like State Farm or Liberty Mutual claim to offer discounts for certain safety features, but they don’t always apply them automatically. You usually have to ask.
@Misha
Good to know. I might call around and see if I can find a better rate.
Check if your insurance has a telematics program. Some companies will track how you drive and lower your rate if you’re actually driving safely.
Devi said:
Check if your insurance has a telematics program. Some companies will track how you drive and lower your rate if you’re actually driving safely.
I’ve heard mixed things about those. Do they actually help, or do they just punish people for normal driving?
@RoadWarriorX
Depends on the company. Some people save money, but others say their rates went up because of small things like braking too hard. Might be worth testing if they give you the option to back out without penalties.
USAA and Amica might offer discounts for advanced safety tech. Worth checking if you’re eligible for either.
I switched from Geico to Farmers and my rate actually went down. They told me my car’s safety rating helped, but I don’t know how much of that was real versus just them wanting my business.