What You Should Know
- In some states, like California, you may enjoy discounted insurance rates for self-driving vehicles
- Self-driving auto insurance rates might be less due to improved safety ratings of vehicles with this technology
- It would be best if you remain attentive because, currently, the driver is still responsible when using a self-driving feature
Can you get auto insurance for a self-driving car? Insurance companies often give discounts, like an airbag auto insurance discount, for a vehicle with safety features.
There may be discounts on insurance rates if a vehicle has safety features that are not legally required. Some savings may come indirectly due to a vehicle’s improved safety rating.
Because driver error, distracted driving, and slow response times are the causes of so many accidents, vehicles with self-driving capabilities have a better track record in accident statistics.
Auto insurance discounts are starting to appear for vehicles that have improved safety ratings from having features such as collision avoidance, lane correction, adaptive cruise control, and other autonomous driving capabilities.
Companies Offering Auto Insurance for a Self-Driving Car
A few major insurance companies offer auto insurance for self-driving cars.
Progressive
Progressive offers auto insurance for self-driving cars. However, the company says its auto insurance rates for self-driving vehicles are not lower because the cars cost a lot more and repairs are expensive.
Allstate
Allstate offers liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage for self-driving cars and an autopilot endorsement, which provides coverage for any damage sustained while the car is in autopilot mode.
Geico
Self-driving cars are subject to the same mandates for legally required auto insurance as other autos without these features. Therefore, you should have comprehensive coverage for the potential added risk of the theft of a luxury vehicle like a Tesla.
State Farm
State Farm offers a complete auto insurance policy for a self-driving car that covers liability, property damage, medical payments, and uninsured motorists. In addition, the company offers many discounts for safety features.
USAA
USAA only offers auto insurance for active and retired military and their dependents. However, as shown in the comparison review of Allstate vs. USAA: Which Offers More Affordable Quotes, the USAA rates are usually the lowest.
Additionally, USAA has an optional discount program called SafePilot. This auto insurance discount increases based on the length of accident-free driving, which may improve with a car having self-driving safety features.
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Can an automobile truly be a self-driving car?
There are five levels of self-driving vehicle technology. The driver may get a warning at the zero or no level but must make the corrections manually.
The first self-driving level is some form of basic driver assistance like cruise control. The second level may use two or more driver assistance technologies at the same time.
An example is adaptive cruise control, which slows down the vehicle when approaching another vehicle from behind and lane-keeping correction that works at the same time.
The third level is when the car may drive without human intervention under certain conditions. Mercedes Benz is testing a third-level technology for S-Class and EQS Sedan vehicles for a planned limited release in 2024.
Completely Autonomous Cars
At higher levels, the complexity increases exponentially. The fourth level allows the vehicle to drive on repetitive loops down known roads. Again, the driver is not required to take over the vehicle’s driving.
No fourth-level vehicles, like a Waymo, are approved for general use. This is because auto insurance for a self-driving car is not yet available for them. The fifth level is a completely autonomous vehicle that can drive on any road under any conditions. No vehicles have achieved this level yet.
The Future of Auto Insurance for Self-Driving Cars
As the technology improves and the safety records accumulate, self-driving cars may ultimately benefit from lower auto insurance rates. Despite the fatal crashes of self-driving cars making headlines, the statistics show that self-driving cars are safer.
Conclusions About Auto Insurance for a Self-Driving Car
If you wonder — Can I get auto insurance for a self-driving car? Do not worry. Insurance is readily available from all the major insurance companies. All you need to do is learn more about the auto insurance coverage types to ensure you have the appropriate protection for your vehicle.
Shop for auto insurance quotes by vehicle to find affordable coverage for self-driving cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will self-driving cars affect the insurance industry?
Autonomous (self-driving) vehicles will likely disrupt the auto insurance industry by reducing accidents, claims, and fraud, lowering premiums.
Who has the liability if an accident involves a self-driving vehicle?
Liability depends on the cause of the accident. Liability may be attributed to the driver, the auto manufacturer, or the parts manufacturer of a defective part.
Is insurance cheaper for self-driving cars?
Currently, there may be some discounts to make insurance cheaper depending on where you live and what state the car is registered in, but also the higher price of some of these cars makes them more expensive to insure.
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Leslie Kasperowicz
Farmers CSR for 4 Years
Leslie Kasperowicz holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She spent several years as a Farmers Insurance CSR, gaining a solid understanding of insurance products including home, life, auto, and commercial and working directly with insurance customers to understand their needs. She has since used that knowledge in her more than ten years as a writer, largely in the insurance…
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