Passive Restraint Car Insurance Discounts [2024]

What is a passive restraint system?

Your primary goal when you are looking for a vehicle loaded with thoughtful features and systems may be to protect yourself and your loved ones, but you may not realize that someone could also potentially qualify you for financial savings through a discount.

So you may be asking, “What is the car insurance discount for Passive Restraint?” This discount is one of the more common types related to passive safety features in a car like seat belts and how they impact car insurance. The good news is that these are found in many modern makes and models today.

When you are looking for an excellent way to save money on your car premium, taking advantage of the discount may be one idea that is feasible for most drivers to consider.

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What is a passive restraint insurance discount?

The discount is for vehicles that have automatic seat belts or vehicle air bags (installed by the factory). Any seat belts that you have to physically lock into position do not count.

How can passive restraints reduce my car insurance policy rates?

The discount is only one of several ways for you to save money, and the reality is that the best deal on rates may not be with a company that offers this specific discount.

Regardless of whether you take advantage of the discount for your current premium, you should be aware that this safety feature discount could potentially help you to save in another way going forward.

When you apply for rates, each provider will analyze your loss history report or claims history for the last few years.

If you have a passive restraint device or system, the claims payout may have been reduced in comparison to what the payout may have been if the feature was not installed.

Can you get a passive restraint discount with Geico, Nationwide, AAA, or State Farm?

Here’s a list of major insurance providers who offer a discount, with the percentage they offer. This is by no means a complete list, as it’s a really common discount.

Percent Discount for Passive Restraints by Company

What is the difference between active and passive restraint systems?

Safety features in a car are usually classified as either passive or active. A passive system works without any action required on the part of the driver or passengers in the car.

What is an example of active restraints? Seat belts are an example of an active feature, but what about a passive example? A common, passive restraint example is an air bag.

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Why do some car insurance companies offer a passive restraint discount?

What is a passive restraint discount? You may wonder why some companies offer a discount to car drivers and how having air bags decreases rates. The answer to this question lies in the fact that companies analyze their overall potential financial risk associated with insuring you when they are determining your rate.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that air bags reduce fatalities in frontal crashes by 29%. For front-seat passengers who are 13 years old or older, they actually reduce it by 32%. They also report that Anti-Lock Brakes reduce damage by 6% in passenger cars.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports on side air bags, which they report protect the head of the driver. According to the IIHS, the feature reduces the risk of death in driver-side crashes by 37% and 52% for an SUV driver.

So, you can see that the risk of death and injury is reduced by restraints, meaning the insurer probably won’t have to pay out as much in claims. They analyze the likelihood that you may file a claim as well as the amount of money that they may need to pay out on the claim.

A restraint may reduce the injuries that you sustain in an accident, and this could dramatically reduce the overall payout required on the claim.

Which safety features may qualify for car insurance discounts?

The restraint features could potentially qualify you for a lower car insurance premium. Some of the other common discounts available are for the following:

• Daytime running lights
• Adaptive steering
• Forward collision warning system
• Blindspot detection

You’ll likely be able to get a discount for these, as safety features are one of the most commonly available discounts for car insurers. As an added bonus, having these safety features installed will help you avoid totaling your car in a serious accident. If the car were totaled, you might later need to offer a salvage or repaired title if you resold the vehicle.

How can I get the car insurance coverage I need?

The passive restraint insurance discount and other related ones can help you to make your coverage more affordable. This discount can make it easier for you to pay for the full amount that you need.

While all drivers need to purchase at least the minimum amount as required by their state, some individuals also will benefit from purchasing additional coverage.

For example, you may want to buy GAP because of the additional benefits that it provides to you.

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How can I reduce my risk of being in a car accident?

While it makes sense to look for a vehicle that is loaded with features that may reduce the significance of your injuries, it also makes sense to follow basic safe driving tips.

These tips may help you to reduce your chance of being involved in an accident altogether:

• Avoid distracted driving behaviors.
• Obey the posted speed limit signs.
• Keep your vehicle well-maintained at all times.
• Do not drink and drive. Plan ahead so that you can get home safely if you have been drinking.
• Only drive when you are alert and well-rested.
• Wear your seatbelt.
• Keep a safe driving distance between you and the car in front of you.
• Be aware of the distance between you and the car behind you. Reduce your speed if necessary to encourage a driver behind you to stop tailing you, or change to another lane.
• Avoid driving when weather conditions are bad.

If you can avoid being found at fault for an accident, you won’t have to worry about your rates going up.

How can I shop for low car insurance rates when I buy a car?

If you have recently purchased a new car that has passive restraints in it, it makes sense to shop around and look for the best deal possible.

You may be able to take advantage of the discount and others available through some companies to save on your premium.

Case Studies: Passive Restraint Car Insurance Discounts

Case Study 1: John’s Savings With Airbags

John recently purchased a new car equipped with airbags. As he shopped around for car insurance, he discovered that his chosen provider offers a passive restraint discount. By having airbags installed in his vehicle, John qualified for a monthly discount of $35.70 on his full coverage car insurance rates.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Automatic Seat Belts

Sarah owns a car with automatic seat belts, which also qualifies for a passive restraint discount. She compared quotes from multiple insurance companies and found one that offers a 10% discount for vehicles with automatic seat belts. By taking advantage of this discount, Sarah was able to lower her car insurance premium significantly.

Case Study 3: Mark’s Safety Features

Mark drives a car equipped with both airbags and anti-lock brakes. When he applied for car insurance, his chosen provider considered the presence of these passive restraint features. The insurance company analyzed his vehicle’s safety features and took into account the reduced risk of injuries in an accident. As a result, Mark received a favorable rate on his car insurance policy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most common questions we hear from consumers regarding auto insurance discounts.

What is a safe driver discount?

Ultimately, insurance companies want you to be safe when you are driving. Practicing safe driving habits is an important way to keep costs down and everyone safe from accidents on the road.

We all know we shouldn’t speed and that we shouldn’t text while driving. It’s not only against the law in most states, it’s unsafe. If you put that knowledge to use when you get behind the wheel, you are being a safe driver.

By avoiding high-risk practices and being a low-risk customer, you are saving both yourself and your insurance company money. Therefore, many auto insurers offer a safe driver discount to their policyholders.

What other discounts are available for car insurance?

There are many available out there, and it really depends on your insurer. For instance, what does Nationwide offer? Does Nationwide offer a low mileage discount or premier driver level discount?

What about a persistency discount (more commonly known as a loyalty discount) for loyal customers? In practice, insurance companies have found that customers who remain on the same policy over time (persist as ongoing customers) are less risky and more loyal to the company. For this reason, they are eligible for a “persistency” or loyal customer discount.

Check below to see if you’re eligible.

Some Discounts from Major Insurers

Remember to shop around again for low rates again every six months so that you never pay more than necessary. Enter your ZIP code below to compare rates today and see what discounts are available to you.

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