Of course, it is smart to fully understand both your commercial and personal insurance rates, and you’ll want to know how your CDL affects both your policies. You’ve most likely put in time, effort, and money into receiving your CDL, so the next question is: can having a CDL lower your car insurance?
In most cases, having a CDL or commercial driver’s license does not lower the price of your car insurance. However, each situation is unique and the best way to find out how your insurance will be affected is to contact your insurance agent. CDL Insurance Rates
Some insurance companies do offer a discount for CDL holders; if you are looking into buying a new policy, do the research first to find out which agencies will give you the best deal. In this article, we are going to dive into the world of car insurance to find out just what you can do to get a lower premium with your CDL.
Which Companies Offer Discounts for CDL drivers?
Several insurance companies offer a variety of discounts that can reduce your premium price based on your type of license and driving courses you’ve taken.
- State Farm Insurance may not offer a discount solely based on the holding of a CDL. However, they do provide a lower rate if you have completed a defensive driving course, which most CDL licenses require. State Farm Safe Driver Discounts
- Infinity Auto Insurance offers a discount providing you have had your CDL for at least two years. Infinity Auto Insurance
- Progressive Insurance claims you could save you over $1,000 with proof of your CDL.
Progressive Car Insurance
Want to find out more about commercial insurance on your personal truck or fleet? This amazing website gives a breakdown of all the best companies: what they offer, what they cost, and which one is best for you.
If you’ve recently obtained your CDL, you might be able to get a deduction on your policy. Although most companies do not offer a discount for CDL drivers, some do! If you’re looking to change your policy or get a new provider, a little research first could save you a lot of money.
How Can You Get Discounts on Your Insurance?
When you received your CDL you most likely completed a training course and certainly had to take several tests. These tests directly correlate to the defensive driver’s test that several companies offer. Most insurance policies provide discounts based on the taking and passing of this test, it’s a really easy way to get a discount on your premium.
The “good driver discount” is also a great way to shave a little off that expensive bill you pay every month. Because you’re a professional driver, you most likely drive carefully and hopefully without incident. Almost every insurance company in the business offers huge reductions in the price of the premium if you can prove you’re a responsible driver.
Most often, you will need to provide a clean driving record for the previous three years, this means no accidents and no violations. Many companies extend some forgiveness when it comes to minor discrepancies, but if your record is completely clean and you’ve had no reported accidents or violations, you can save hundreds of dollars a month! Good Driver Discount
Do You Need Both Commercial and Personal Auto Insurance?
As we have learned, auto insurance policies are unique to both the company and the client, and there is no always in regards to what is best for your policy.
However, the rule of thumb for professional versus personal car insurance states that if the vehicle is your own, personal insurance will usually suffice. If your vehicle is owned by a business, a commercial policy might be necessary. Intact Insurance
Does Having a CDL Affect Your Personal Insurance?
The simple answer is that having a CDL does not directly affect your personal insurance. Although, as mentioned previously, having a clean record and completing a variety of safe driving tests can help reduce the price of your personal premium, as well as your commercial insurance.
If you have followed the rules of the road in your personal vehicle, and have proof of completed tests, your policy may receive a nice little discount every month.
Conclusion
One size definitely does not fit all when it comes to auto insurance policies. If you want a lower rate, as every driver in the world does, you’ll need to first contact your agent to assess the different discounts they offer and which ones apply to you.
Although having your CDL offers a variety of opportunities professionally, it does not necessarily entail a discount on your premium.
But don’t pay more when you can pay less!
Look into what your insurance company offers in regards to your CDL, your safe driving record, and the many exams you have had to take, you could possibly qualify for a reduction.