Your car insurance rate is affected by a number of factors, including your ZIP code, your driving record, your credit score, and the type of car you drive. Certain groups, like teachers or members of the military, sometimes get discounts based on their profession, and doctors and other healthcare workers may also qualify for similar discounts.
Most car insurance discounts for healthcare workers are small, typically saving you less than 10%, but the amount you’ll save varies by company. No matter what your career, you can find the lowest car insurance rates by comparing quotes from multiple companies.
Car insurance discounts for doctors
Doctors can save on car insurance with some of the largest insurance companies in the country, but not every insurer offers discounts for medical professionals.
In most cases, doctors can get a discount on their car insurance through their employer or by joining a professional medical organization, rather than just a general discount for being a doctor.
The insurance company that offers the most robust discounts for medical workers is GEICO, which offers discounts for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and other healthcare workers through dozens of professional medical organizations, including:
American Academy of Audiology
American Association for Respiratory Care
American Association of Women Dentists
American College of Clinical Pharmacy
American Physical Therapy Association
American Psychological Association
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
HOSA Future Health Professionals
Other insurance companies, including Liberty Mutual, Farmers, Nationwide, and Travelers also offer discounts through professional affinity groups, but they don’t provide a list of their partner groups to the general public.
If you are a member of a professional medical organization and you want to verify whether or not you have access to discounted car insurance rates, check with an insurance expert or your organization directly and they can tell you about any applicable discounts.
Car insurance rates for doctors
On average, doctors pay the same basic rates as any other driver. Doctors and other medical professionals sometimes get slightly lower rates (depending on the company) but your car insurance rate is mostly based on things like your driving history and where you live.
In comparison to those other factors, your profession has a relatively small impact on your car insurance premiums.
Why do doctors pay less for car insurance?
Car insurance rates for doctors are about the same as car insurance rates for other careers, but doctors may end up paying less for car insurance for a few different reasons.
Bundling their coverage: You can get an insurance discount by bundling your home and auto coverage, but doctors also need other types of coverage, like professional liability insurance, that can potentially be bundled together with their auto insurance for a lower rate.
Affinity group discounts: Doctors are more likely to be part of a professional affinity group. One of the benefits of joining an affinity group is getting discounts on things like car insurance and life insurance, so their group membership could save them money on their insurance.
Location, location, location: Doctors who live, work, and drive in neighborhoods that have less crime and fewer accidents, or who keep their cars parked in indoor garages, could pay less for car insurance based on their ZIP code.
Other types of insurance discounts for healthcare workers
Doctors may qualify for discounts on more than just car insurance. For example, doctors who own a home, boat, or other property may be entitled to discounts on insurance coverage for those things as well.
Healthcare professionals may also qualify for a discount on other types of insurance coverage. For example, Prudential offers discounts on life insurance through the American Nurses Association, while Aflac partners with multiple organizations to offer discounted rates on supplemental coverage.
Other auto insurance discounts for doctors
Car insurance discounts for doctors and other medical professionals can be helpful, but savings for being a doctor isn’t the biggest discount available to most drivers. Car insurance companies typically offer much more substantial discounts for other things, like:
Bundling discount: Most car insurance companies offer a discount for drivers who bundle their home and auto policies together.
Safe driver and claims-free discount: If you maintain a clean driving record and you don’t file a claim, you will get much lower rates (and maybe even a discount) for being a safe driver. You may also be able to get an additional safe driver discount by taking an approved defensive driving course.
Senior discount: Many car insurance companies offer discounts for drivers aged 55 and older who meet certain qualifications, like having a clean driving record or taking a driver safety course.
Safety feature discount: Cars that come with certain safety features, like anti-lock brakes, VIN etching, and anti-theft devices, may qualify for a discount with some car insurance companies.
Paid in full discount: Doctors who pay for their car insurance policies all at once at the start of the term instead of paying monthly will save some money that way.
Car insurance discounts for med students
While there aren’t specific car insurance discounts for medical students, they may still qualify for several discounts while they’re still studying to become a doctor, including:
Good student discount: Most insurance companies offer a substantial discount on car insurance rates for full time students who maintain a B average or better, but each company has its own unique standards when it comes to what defines a good student. Drivers who are full time students aged 25 or younger can reach out to an insurance expert to make sure they are getting a good student discount.
Membership discount: Some student groups, like sororities and fraternities, offer affinity group discounts through a specific insurance company.
Good driver discount: Med students who want to save money on their car insurance can take advantage of good driver discounts, telematics discounts, and other discount programs to help keep their insurance costs low.
Other ways for doctors to save money on auto insurance
Discounts aren’t the only way for doctors to save money on car insurance. Auto insurance companies use multiple factors to set your rates, so making a few small changes can save you a significant amount of money on your car insurance.
Choose the right coverage: Drivers who have older cars that are completely paid off may not want to pay for full coverage car insurance. Liability-only coverage is much cheaper than full coverage, but it is only a good idea for drivers who can afford to replace their vehicle out-of-pocket.
Comparison shop: Different companies can charge different rates for the same driver, which means comparing quotes from multiple companies can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on your car insurance premium.
Reshop regularly: Your car insurance policy is up for renewal every six or 12 months, but before it automatically renews, shop around to make sure you’re still getting the best deal.
Frequently asked questions
Does Farmers give discounts to nurses or doctors?
Farmers offers a 5% affinity discount plan, which means members of certain professional organizations save up to 5% on their car insurance, but they do not provide a list of specific affinity groups. Check with your employer, union, or professional organization to see if you are eligible for a discount on your Farmers car insurance policy.
Is using education level to set car insurance rates discrimination?
Car insurance discounts based on education level are typically very small, often saving drivers only a few dollars each year, which means having a doctorate doesn’t automatically save you much on your car insurance. But California, Hawaii, Georgia and Massachusetts do not allow the use of education level in setting car insurance rates.
How can doctors save money on car insurance?
Just like anyone else, the best way for doctors to save money on car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies to make sure you are getting the best rate.
Methodology
Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services. Rates were determined using averages for single drivers age 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles per year.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of insurance costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
