Marriage brings many changes—and surprisingly, one of the perks can be lower auto insurance rates. Many insurers view married couples as more stable and less risky drivers, often offering discounted premiums just for being legally married. But beyond the marriage discount, there are several innovative strategies couples can use to save even more.
One of the easiest ways is to bundle policies. Combining both drivers onto a single auto insurance policy usually lowers rates compared to separate plans. Adding homeowners’ or renters’ insurance with the same company can boost your savings through multi-policy discounts. Good driving records, vehicle safety features, and even paying in full can bring costs down.
Why Being Married Can Lower Your Auto Insurance Premiums
When married couples apply for auto insurance, they often find that their premiums are lower than those for single drivers. There are several reasons for this:
- Lower Risk Profile: Statistically, married drivers are considered less risky than single drivers. Married individuals tend to have fewer accidents and traffic violations, which makes them eligible for lower rates.
- Stability: Insurers see marriage as a sign of stability, which can correlate with fewer claims.
- Multiple Drivers: Couples typically share a vehicle, and insurance companies often reward various drivers on one policy.
Bundle Your Policies for Big Savings
One of the best ways for married couples to save money on auto insurance is to bundle multiple policies—especially auto and home insurance—with the same insurer. Here’s how it works:
- Discounts: Insurance companies offer discounts for bundling. You can often save anywhere from 5% to 25% by combining your auto and home policies.
- Convenience: Having both policies with the same insurer means one payment and fewer renewal dates to keep track of.
- Tailored Packages: Bundling allows the insurer to create a more tailored coverage package based on your household needs.
Compare Quotes from Different Insurers
Even as a married couple, you should never assume that one insurer will offer the best rates for your combined coverage. Shopping around and comparing quotes from different companies can often uncover better options. Here’s what you can do:
- Use Online Comparison Tools: These tools let you enter your details once and get multiple quotes from different insurers, helping you identify the best deal.
- Look Beyond the Premium: While cost is essential, consider factors like customer service, claims satisfaction, and the insurer’s financial stability.
- Personalized Rates: Married couples may qualify for different discounts or price breaks depending on their driving records, the types of vehicles they own, and their location.
Choose the Right Coverage Options
Married couples should carefully assess their coverage needs to ensure they’re not paying for unnecessary insurance. Here’s a breakdown of some options that can help reduce premiums:
- Consider Liability-Only Coverage: If you have older cars or if the value of your vehicle is low, you may not need full collision and comprehensive coverage. Instead, liability-only coverage could be sufficient, saving you money on premiums.
- Review Deductibles: Raising your deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in) can lower your monthly premium. However, be sure you can comfortably afford the higher deductible if you need to file a claim.
- Use Usage-Based Insurance: Some insurers offer pay-per-mile insurance or telematics programs, where your premium is based on how much or how safely you drive. If one or both of you don’t drive much, this can be an easy way to save money.
- Evaluate Unnecessary Coverage: If you’re driving an older vehicle that’s losing value, you might be paying for coverage that’s no longer necessary, like rental car coverage or roadside assistance, which could be more affordably obtained separately.
Maintain a Clean Driving Record
For married couples, the driving records of both individuals can impact the premium, but insurers typically apply joint discounts when both drivers have a good driving history. Here’s how to maintain a clean record and save it:
- Avoid Traffic Violations: Tickets and accidents are costly when it comes to auto insurance premiums. Practice safe driving, and if you do get a ticket, consider attending traffic school (where allowed) to remove the violation from your record.
- Consider Defensive Driving Courses: Some insurers offer discounts for completing a defensive driving course. Even if you have a clean record, it can lower premiums by demonstrating a proactive approach to safety.
- Keep Your Claims Low: Avoid making small claims that could result in a premium increase. For example, if you have minor damage and can afford to pay out of pocket, doing so could prevent your rates from rising.
Take Advantage of Married Couple Discounts
Many auto insurance companies offer specific discounts for married couples. Here are some discounts you should inquire about:
- Marriage Discount: This is a standard discount provided to married couples, acknowledging the stability that marriage represents.
- Multi-Car Discount: If both partners own a vehicle, you can likely save by ensuring both cars follow the same policy. This is a two-in-one deal that lowers the cost of coverage for both cars.
- Good Driver Discount: If both spouses have clean driving records, you can receive this discount, which typically applies to couples who have avoided accidents and tickets for several years.
- Low Mileage Discount: If both of you don’t drive much, you might qualify for a low-mileage discount, which reflects your reduced risk of accidents.
- Defensive Driving Discount: As mentioned earlier, completing a defensive driving course can help you and your spouse qualify for this discount.
Optimize Your Vehicle Choices
The type of vehicle you drive is a significant factor in determining your auto insurance premiums. If you’re married, it’s even more important to align your vehicles to maximize savings:
- Choose Vehicles That Are Cheap to Insure: Cars with high safety ratings, lower repair costs, and good theft-deterrent features typically cost less to insure. For example, a Honda Civic may be much cheaper to insure than a BMW 7 Series.
- Consider Safety Features: Vehicles equipped with advanced safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, and collision avoidance systems can lower your premiums.
- Family Vehicles: If you’re in the market for a family vehicle, consider vehicles that are rated for low insurance costs—typically SUVs or minivans with a high safety rating and low risk of accidents or theft.
Reassess Your Insurance Periodically
As married couples’ lives change—whether through moving, adding children, or changing vehicles—it’s essential to reassess your insurance coverage periodically. Here’s how to ensure you’re continually saving:
- Review Annually: Review your auto insurance every year or whenever significant life changes occur. A review might reveal opportunities to increase coverage or adjust your policy to reflect new circumstances (such as adding a teenager to your policy).
- Look for New Discounts: As your lifestyle evolves, you may qualify for additional discounts (e.g., retirement, good student discounts for children, or working from home).
- Ask for Rate Comparisons: Each year, get new quotes to see if there’s a better deal. Even as a married couple, your premium could fluctuate depending on changes in your driving record or vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do married couples get lower auto insurance rates?
Yes, most insurers offer a marriage discount due to perceived lower risk.
Should we combine our auto insurance policies?
Yes—joint policies typically cost less than separate ones and are easier to manage.
What if one spouse has a bad driving record?
It may raise the premium, but some insurers offer forgiveness programs or customized rate options.
Does bundling home and auto insurance save money?
Absolutely—multi-policy discounts can save 10% to 25% or more.
Can we add both cars to one policy?
Yes, and doing so often qualifies you for a multi-vehicle discount.
What affects our combined premium?
Driving history, age, location, vehicles, credit scores, and coverage levels.
Is it cheaper to pay monthly or annually?
Paying annually or semi-annually can save money by avoiding monthly installment fees.
Do both spouses need to be listed on the policy?
Yes, especially if both will be driving the insured vehicles.
Will marriage affect our deductible options?
No, but combining coverage may make choosing a higher deductible more cost-effective.
Should we shop around even after combining policies?
Yes—rates vary widely, so checking every 1–2 years ensures you’re still getting the best deal.
Conclusion
Getting married can mean more than just sharing a home—it can also bring significant savings on your auto insurance. Married couples often qualify for lower rates, especially when they combine policies, bundle with other insurance types, and maintain good driving habits. Whether you’re newlyweds or long-time partners, reviewing your insurance together and shopping around can uncover new discounts and better coverage. Be sure to reassess your policy after significant life changes, like buying a home or adding a new vehicle. With thoughtful planning, teamwork, and the right insurer, you and your partner can enjoy both financial benefits and peace of mind every time you hit the road together.
