CarInsurance.com Insights
- Teachers, firefighters and doctors consistently qualify for occupational discounts because insurance data shows they file fewer claims and receive fewer traffic citations.
- Always ask your insurer whether your job qualifies for a discount—many don’t mention occupational discounts unless you specifically request them.
- Engineers, police officers and lawyers are among the nine professions that can save at least 10% on auto insurance through occupational discounts.
Insurance companies have a simple principle: lower risk means lower rates. People in certain occupations file fewer claims, get fewer traffic tickets, and generally make fewer risky driving decisions. So insurers reward them.
If you’re a teacher, doctor, firefighter, police officer, engineer or scientist, you likely qualify for an occupational discount on car insurance. Most range from 10-13%, which translates to hundreds per year in savings.
The catch: discounts vary significantly by insurer and state. Your employer might be discounted with GEICO but not with Farmers. Your state might offer discounts that neighboring states don’t. Which is why many people leave this money on the table—they simply don’t know to ask.
Here’s what you need to know about claiming what you’ve earned through your profession.
How much does your job save on car insurance?
CarInsurance.com recently compiled data on the jobs that qualified for bigger discounts than others: civil servants, doctors, engineers, farmers, firefighters, police officers, lawyers, scientists and teachers.
Dennis Shirshikov, adjunct professor of economics at City University of New York, explained why.
“Occupational discounts and car insurance are a reflection of data-driven risk assessment models that insurance companies use,” he said. “Certain professions are associated with traits like reliability, stability and a lower likelihood of filing claims. That makes policyholders in these jobs less risky from an insurer’s perspective.”
Andy Chang, founder and CEO of The Credit Review, a financial services website, agreed.
“Insurance companies approach their pricing based on vast actuarial data, including a differentiation by occupations in determining risk profiles,” Chang said. “Their rationale is simple: Certain professions present lower risks, which can trigger discounts since the likelihood of them filing a claim is significantly lower.”
The table below shows the percentage and annual savings for occupational discounts for the top nine professions.
| Profession | Base Premium | Discounted Premium | $ Savings | % Discount |
| Firefighter | $2,578 | $2,248 | $330 | 13% |
| Scientist | $2,578 | $2,244 | $334 | 13% |
| Engineer | $2,578 | $2,261 | $317 | 12% |
| Teacher | $2,578 | $2,264 | $314 | 12% |
| Lawyer | $2,578 | $2,284 | $294 | 11% |
| Law Enforcement | $2,578 | $2,289 | $289 | 11% |
| Farmer | $2,578 | $2,288 | $290 | 11% |
| Doctor | $2,578 | $2,297 | $281 | 11% |
| Civil Servant | $2,578 | $2,308 | $270 | 10% |
9 occupations with car insurance discounts
Let’s break down the cheap car insurance occupation list and discounts for each.
Civil servants
Civil servants are people employed by the government in a range of administrative, executive, or professional positions at local, state, or federal levels. Their primary role involves serving the public by executing government policies, enforcing laws and delivering vital services to citizens. These individuals can work across various sectors like education, healthcare, law enforcement, social services and transportation.
Our research found that civil servants typically pay $2,308 per year for car insurance, representing a 10% discount and $270 in savings compared to an average before-discount premium of $2,578.
Doctors
Doctors receive an 11% discount on auto insurance, paying an average of $2,297 annually — a $281 decrease compared to the average before-discount premium.
“Professions like physicians are often associated with meticulousness and detail orientation, which can translate to safer driving habits,” Chang said.
Engineers
Engineers pay $2,261 for vehicle insurance premiums annually, a 12% savings ($317 per year).
“We’ve found that engineers, due to their meticulous attention to detail and systematic approach to problem-solving, tend to exhibit safer driving behaviors – making them less prone to accidents,” said John Crist, founder of Prestizia Insurance, a Dallas-based insurance agency.
Farmers
Farmers, on average, pay 11% less: $2,288 for a 12-month policy, which equates to $281 less per year.
Firefighters
Firefighters can save 13%, or $330 in average annual savings, which means they pay, on average, $2,248 annually for auto insurance.
“These are professions that demand a high level of discipline, quick decision-making under pressure, and a deep understanding of safety protocols,” Shirshikov said. “Insurers may view these traits as translatable to driving behaviors, thereby reducing their perceived risk.”
Law enforcement officers
Law enforcement officers can save $289 a year – 11% on average – with a rate of $2,289.
“Significant insurance discounts for police officers could be attributed to factors like their disciplined lifestyles, rigorous training and adherence to rules, making them safer drivers,” attorney and personal finance expert Jonathan Feniak said.
Lawyers
Lawyers often receive an 11% discount on vehicle insurance premiums. The average attorney policy costs $2,284 – a $294 savings – versus what they would pay before a discount.
Scientists
Scientists benefit from 13% savings on car insurance simply because of their profession. The average annual policy costs them $2,244 – $334 less than the before-discount price.
Teachers
If you are a teacher, expect to pay around $2,264 per year for auto insurance. That represents a 12% discount or an average annual savings of $314.
“Teachers, who are often seen as pillars of the community, tend to have stable routines and are perceived to be more cautious. That could translate to lower risks on the roads,” Shirshikov said.
Which insurance companies give a discount for your job?
Many carriers provide discounts based on profession. CarInsurance.com found that three nationwide carriers offer premium savings in most states: Farmers, GEICO and Progressive.
Other carriers offering discounts include Safeway Insurance, Country Financial, Grange Insurance, Mercury Insurance, Acuity Insurance, Auto Club Group (AAA) and Western National Insurance.
| Rank | Company | Before | After | $ Saved | % Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Progressive | $2,569 | $2,168 | $401 | 16% |
| 2 | Safeway Insurance | $3,843 | $3,321 | $522 | 14% |
| 3 | GEICO | $2,159 | $1,970 | $189 | 9% |
| 4 | Country Financial | $2,298 | $2,158 | $140 | 6% |
| 5 | Grange Insurance | $1,512 | $1,429 | $83 | 5% |
| 6 | Mercury Insurance | $3,107 | $2,998 | $109 | 4% |
| 7 | Acuity Insurance | $2,994 | $2,905 | $89 | 3% |
| 7 | Auto Club Group (AAA) | $1,834 | $1,781 | $53 | 3% |
| 7 | Western National Insurance | $2,928 | $2,826 | $102 | 3% |
| 10 | Farmers | $3,207 | $3,184 | $23 | 1% |
Note: USAA, Allstate, Nationwide, State Farm and Travelers also have no profession discount data available.
Sophie’s Tip
- A bigger discount doesn’t mean a smaller bill. Compare the price after the discount, not the percentage.
Select your profession to see insurance discounts, and click on the numbers in the "State Availability" column to see the list of states where the companies offer discounts.
Where are job discounts biggest, and where don’t they exist?
Our analysis of 43 states and Washington, D.C., found that where you live matters more than what you do when it comes to discounts. Mississippi, Colorado, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia offer the highest discount percentage. Hawaii has the lowest discount rate at 1%.
California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Washington and Wyoming do not have data available. The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) bars private passenger auto insurance companies from using occupational status or educational attainment to set rates.
In the table below, see the professional discounts by state. Note that only 44 of 51 jurisdictions have profession-category discount data available.
| State | Before | After | $ Saved | % Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $2,397 | $1,928 | $469 | 20% |
| Colorado | $3,181 | $2,597 | $584 | 18% |
| Rhode Island | $2,878 | $2,356 | $522 | 18% |
| Tennessee | $2,235 | $1,850 | $385 | 17% |
| Virginia | $1,835 | $1,523 | $312 | 17% |
| Maine | $1,808 | $1,518 | $290 | 16% |
| Pennsylvania | $2,327 | $1,954 | $373 | 16% |
| South Carolina | $2,417 | $2,026 | $391 | 16% |
| Alaska | $2,167 | $1,838 | $329 | 15% |
| Florida | $3,916 | $3,330 | $586 | 15% |
| North Dakota | $2,439 | $2,066 | $373 | 15% |
| Nevada | $3,963 | $3,381 | $582 | 15% |
| Texas | $3,106 | $2,655 | $451 | 15% |
| Connecticut | $2,742 | $2,353 | $389 | 14% |
| Delaware | $3,157 | $2,702 | $455 | 14% |
| Iowa | $2,460 | $2,114 | $346 | 14% |
| Indiana | $1,894 | $1,625 | $269 | 14% |
| New Jersey | $3,122 | $2,684 | $438 | 14% |
| Kansas | $2,496 | $2,197 | $299 | 12% |
| Louisiana | $3,999 | $3,514 | $485 | 12% |
| Nebraska | $2,095 | $1,844 | $251 | 12% |
| New Hampshire | $1,689 | $1,492 | $197 | 12% |
| New Mexico | $2,577 | $2,279 | $298 | 12% |
| Arkansas | $2,942 | $2,624 | $318 | 11% |
| Montana | $2,476 | $2,207 | $269 | 11% |
| North Carolina | $2,638 | $2,360 | $278 | 11% |
| Idaho | $1,901 | $1,720 | $181 | 10% |
| Kentucky | $2,624 | $2,361 | $263 | 10% |
| Oregon | $2,048 | $1,848 | $200 | 10% |
| Vermont | $1,660 | $1,500 | $160 | 10% |
| Alabama | $2,116 | $1,933 | $183 | 9% |
| South Dakota | $2,575 | $2,353 | $222 | 9% |
| Utah | $2,356 | $2,153 | $203 | 9% |
| West Virginia | $2,415 | $2,201 | $214 | 9% |
| Illinois | $1,938 | $1,781 | $157 | 8% |
| Maryland | $1,999 | $1,849 | $150 | 8% |
| Arizona | $2,420 | $2,239 | $181 | 7% |
| Washington, D.C. | $3,465 | $3,215 | $250 | 7% |
| Minnesota | $2,591 | $2,416 | $175 | 7% |
| Georgia | $2,503 | $2,376 | $127 | 5% |
| Ohio | $1,783 | $1,685 | $98 | 5% |
| Oklahoma | $2,993 | $2,873 | $120 | 4% |
| Wisconsin | $2,343 | $2,273 | $70 | 3% |
| Hawaii | $1,757 | $1,744 | $13 | 1% |
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How does a job discount compare to other discounts?
The profession discount (12%) ranks sixth out of 25 categories — above education (8%), multi-policy (9%), and telematics (9%), but below years licensed (32%) and years insured (23%). Remember, this only applies to average insurers that offer discounts — and discounts don’t apply to your entire policy. See more discounts in the table below.
| Rank | Category | % Discount |
| 1 | Years Licensed | 32% |
| 2 | Years Insured | 23% |
| 3 | Deductibles | 17% |
| 4 | Student Away At School | 16% |
| 5 | Loyalty – Years of Renewal With Company | 13% |
| 6 | Profession (Job) | 12% |
| 7 | Primary Use | 10% |
| 8 | Multi Policy | 9% |
| 8 | Payment Type | 9% |
| 8 | Purchase Status | 9% |
| 8 | Telematics | 9% |
Does your education level earn a discount, too?
Yes, at some insurers. The education category has an overall discount of 8%, but a master’s degree or PhD nets a 9% discount and a bachelor’s is the lowest at 8%. The table below shows discounts by education level.
| Education Level | Base Premium | Discounted Premium | $ Savings | % Discount |
| Master’s | $2,578 | $2,354 | $224 | 9% |
| PhD | $2,578 | $2,354 | $224 | 9% |
| Bachelor’s | $2,578 | $2,382 | $196 | 8% |
Check out our full list of car insurance discounts.
What if your job isn’t on the list?
If your job isn’t one of the nine, you may still qualify through a group you belong to. Insurers give discounts two ways: for the job itself, or through a professional association, union, alumni group or employer program.
Teachers and doctors have more options than this table shows. See car insurance for teachers and car insurance for doctors for the full breakdown.
“Not all agents or providers will ask for your occupation upfront, primarily because the emphasis is often on driving history and vehicle type,” Crist said. “However, it’s smart for applicants to mention their profession. This proactive approach can uncover potential discounts that might not have been automatically applied otherwise.”
How do you get a job-based discount?
To get a job-based car insurance discount, tell the insurer your exact occupation when you get a quote, ask whether it qualifies, and have proof ready, such as a work ID or license. Insurers don’t always ask, so raise it yourself and check it again at every renewal.
- Look up your job in the tool and note which insurers offer the discount in your state.
- Give your exact occupation on the quote form. “High school teacher,” not “education.”
- Ask directly: “Do you have an occupational or professional group discount for my job?”
- Have proof ready.
- Get the price after the discount from at least three insurers.
- Ask again at renewal and any time your job changes.
“The practice of asking about occupation can vary significantly among insurance providers,” Shirshikov said. “While some may automatically ask as part of their risk assessment and quote generation process, others may not. This can potentially be due to differing underwriting criteria or the simplicity of the initial quote process.”
What happens to your discount if you change or lose your job?
A job-based discount is tied to the job. If you change careers, retire or stop working, tell your insurer, because the discount may change at your next renewal.
“Inform your insurance company if you change jobs, especially if you are moving to or from a profession known for occupational discounts,” Crist said. “This ensures your policy will reflect your current situation accurately and that you are benefiting from any possible savings or need to adjust your coverage based on new risk assessments.”
Losing a job also changes how much you drive. No commute means fewer miles, and fewer miles can lower your rate.
“It’s worth noting that while your employment status doesn’t directly affect your insurance rates, other associated factors could,” Chang said. “For example, if unemployment changes your driving frequency or distance, such as no longer commuting to a job, this change in driving behavior could impact your insurance premiums. It’s always best to keep your insurer informed about substantial changes to your driving patterns.”
Frequently Asked Questions: Occupational discounts
Do nurses get a car insurance discount?
Some insurers offer nurses a discount, usually through a nursing association or an employer program, rather than based on job title alone. Ask each insurer you get a quote from, and name any association you belong to.
Do you need proof of your job to get the discount?
Insurers could ask for proof, such as a work ID, a professional license or a membership card. Have it ready when you ask for the discount.
Can you combine a job discount with other discounts?
Usually, yes. A job-based discount can sit alongside bundling, pay-in-full and telematics discounts. Many insurers cap the total, so ask what your combined discount comes to.
Do you keep a job discount when you retire?
It depends on the insurer. Some keep the discount for retirees from a qualifying job and some remove it. Tell your insurer when you retire and ask before your next renewal.
The bottom line
A listed job is worth about $304 per year when the discount applies. Start with Progressive and GEICO, since they offer it in the most states. Then compare the price after the discount, because the biggest percentage doesn’t always produce the lowest bill. If your state or your job isn’t covered, ask about professional group discounts before you move on.
Resources and Methodology
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to obtain car insurance rates for this analysis. The rates are based on sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers with full-coverage policies, carrying liability limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles, driving a 2025 Honda Accord LX. Profiles assume a clean driving record (no violations) and a good insurance score, with 15,000 annual miles driven. Rates were analyzed across 51 jurisdictions (50 states plus Washington, D.C.), covering 1,252 cities and 4,686 ZIP codes, from 197 companies representing 89 company groups. In total, 214,580,816 individual insurance quotes were analyzed to produce the discount findings in this report. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
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