"Didn't score any major insurance savings either, but avoiding another scrape on my Civic is definitely worth the afternoon spent in class."
Funny you mention that—I took the defensive driving class too, mostly because my wife insisted it'd lower our premiums. Turns out, the savings barely covered lunch afterward. Sure, the braking distance demos were eye-opening, but honestly, how much sticks with you in everyday driving? Maybe it's just me, but I feel like experience and common sense still count more than an afternoon lecture...
I get what you're saying about experience and common sense, but honestly, you'd be surprised how often those little defensive driving tips pop into your head when things get dicey. Took the class myself after a minor fender-bender—didn't save me much on insurance either—but a few months later, someone cut me off hard on I-95, and that split-second reminder about proper following distance probably saved me from another claim. Guess it depends on the situation...
"you'd be surprised how often those little defensive driving tips pop into your head when things get dicey."
Interesting point—I took the class hoping to lower my premiums (didn't really help much), but I admit, it did make me reconsider my usual habit of tailgating... especially after nearly rear-ending someone downtown last week. Maybe there's something to it after all.
"I admit, it did make me reconsider my usual habit of tailgating... especially after nearly rear-ending someone downtown last week."
Haha, been there myself—downtown traffic is no joke. Took the defensive driving class a couple years back, and while it didn't exactly slash my premiums dramatically either, I did notice a few subtle perks:
- Definitely became more conscious about leaving extra space (especially with kids in the backseat).
- Started scanning intersections differently—sounds minor, but it's saved me from at least one close call.
- Oddly enough, I also found myself less stressed behind the wheel. Maybe just knowing I'm doing things "by the book" helps mentally?
Insurance-wise though, haven't found any magical hacks yet. I've tried bundling home and auto policies, tweaking deductibles, and even shopping around every renewal period. Best I've managed is shaving off a few bucks here and there. Curious if anyone's stumbled onto something better...
I get what you're saying about defensive driving courses, but honestly, my experience was a bit different. Took one recently hoping it'd really help me as a first-time insurance buyer, but the premium drop was barely noticeable. Sure, it made me more aware on the road—which is great—but financially speaking, bundling my renter's and auto insurance actually saved me way more than the class did. Maybe it's just different depending on your insurer or something...
