September 4, 2010

How Auto Insurance Discounts Are Applied For Public Servants

Government employees including teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public servants have received relatively low pay in proportion to the services they have provided. However, those jobs traditionally have offered excellent employee benefits and job stability. There are other perks as well in the form of auto insurance discounts that many companies offer public servants.

Assuming you meet the qualifications your insurance company establishes for "public servants," you might be able to qualify for substantial discounts. One commercial insurance carrier offers up to a 23 percent discount on a multi-car policy and up to a 14 percent discount if you have both auto and home insurance with that carrier. Of course, rates of discount will vary from company to company. But you should ask your insurance agent if your carrier has special discounts for public servants.

Some insurance carriers cater to government employees and advertise those services. Others make it known in their literature and ask as a standard question if you are employed by a government agency. Public labor unions and other types of professional public organizations will often be able to direct you to sources for finding companies that offer auto insurance discounts to public servants.

There are many designations for public servants and it is good to ask your auto insurance agent who qualifies for the discounts. Each company will have different guidelines. For example, it make a difference of you are a part-time or full-time employee. The reason for this, of course, is that everyone wants a discount and auto insurance carriers need to be sure their customers actually qualify for them.

Most companies give discounts for those serving in the military and some give discounts to men and women serving in the National Guard. These discounts can be up to 10 percent. Veterans might also be eligible for auto insurance discounts as well. But you need to ask your insurance agent if these discounts apply. Some auto insurance agents will make the information readily available. Others may not for whatever reason. Don't assume that because you are a public servant you will automatically receive a discount on auto insurance.

The good news is that if you are a public servant and are eligible for auto insurance discounts through your carrier, you may also receive other discounts for purchasing other coverage such as home, auto and life insurance. Most companies offer discounts for a clean driving record, no accidents, age and other factors. In these tough economic times, don't be too bashful about asking for discounts. Auto insurance agents are used to those questions and the good ones will do whatever they can to save you money and keep your business.