The Truth About Defensive Driving and Car Insurance Savings in Texas

Taking a defensive driving class in Texas can be a smart move, especially if you’ve received a ticket. It helps you keep that ticket off your record. This can prevent your insurance rate from increasing. But there’s a common misconception we hear all the time. People think that taking the class for a ticket will automatically save you money on your car insurance. Unfortunately, that’s not quite how it works.

If you’re taking defensive driving to dismiss a ticket, it won’t qualify you for an insurance discount with most carriers. Here’s why:

Ticket dismissal ≠ discount: When the class is court-approved, most insurance companies consider it corrective action, not a proactive step toward safer driving. While some carriers may offer both benefits, the majority don’t provide a discount when the course is used for ticket dismissal.

Your rate stays the same: The main benefit is that your insurance company won’t see the ticket on your driving record, which helps you avoid a rate increase. A single ticket can increase your insurance premium by 20% or more. By keeping it off your record, you’re protecting yourself from years of higher rates.

That said, defensive driving still offers great perks:

• Refreshes your driving skills and awareness.
• Helps you stay safer on the road.
• It keeps the ticket off of your driving record which in turn keeps your auto insurance rates down.

The Bottom Line: Taking defensive driving for a ticket is about protection, not savings. You’re protecting your clean record and avoiding a rate hike. If you want an insurance discount read our previous blog post about auto insurance discounts.

So while a defensive driving class might not save you money right now, it’s still a valuable step  toward keeping your record clean and your driving sharp!