AARP Smart Driver Course (Of NO Real Benefit ~ Don't Be Fooled)

[ltaverna]

AARP Smart Driver Course (insurance discount) doesn't amount to anything worthwhile with GEICO, it would save me $65/year (yes, that's correct, a little over $5.00/month) on my policy. Do the math: AARP Online Course is about $30.00 (yes, it can be had for as little as $27.00) ~ so that means spending $30.00 to get $65.00 discount ~ what about the time I would have to invest ~ something like 6.5 hours. That brings the money "savings" to LESS THAN $2.50/MONTH. My time is indeed more valuable to me than that laughable discount.

Sorry AARP ~ it's time you figured out that insurance companies could care less about Senior Drivers and our Defensive Driving education...

[MichaelC24851]

You for got to add in that is $65 x3 yrs. =$195

But most importantly what if you or somebody else learn something that saves their life. It's the big picture that counts

[d706786m]

I teach the course, and nothing locks in material you learn like teaching it. Most of the comments in this thread are about the insurance discount, not the value of the course content itself. That's a shame. Driving is a complex task and we should all get a little re-training periodically. That said, there's one thing I'd like to see more of: research into whether course graduates have fewer accidents. I've prowled around the internet looking for it, and asked AARP supervisors for it and still don't see much. A couple major, credible studies on this sure would be nice to have on hand.

[leesofl]

We both took the course in 2021, and saved about $300 over the three year benefit.  We would need to do it again this month, Sept 2024.   I spoke to our agent, and she said that based on this year's premium, we would save $130.  As we know rates are going up annually, it could be estimated that over three years, we'd save $400+.  More than chump-change, my friends.

[GaryB496093]

What needs to be told is that AARP driver education is silent on the two most critical requirements for safe driving by elders, 1. quick reaction time and 2. choice reaction time

1 = how fast can a falling object be picked up, and 2= how fast can a decision and action be made by whatever choices are at hand.

For safer driving, Gary B. Brumback, PhD 

.

[dh90876752]

Progressive said they COULD NOT TELL ME what type of discount I would get.  I paid $30 to take the course, spent 8 hours on the eight hour on line course, and then found out I'd get $10 a year for 3 years savings.  So - I took 8 hours of my personal time online to do this and it's going to take 3 years to just get my money back!  I learned nothing - been a safe driver with no accidents or tickets and I'm 65 - so it was a complete waste of time.  I don't think AARP should endorse anything like this.  

[RuthF521909]

But at the top of this discussion should be the fact that insurers are not going to reduce prices. Period. They only opt for raising them. 20% last year. 21% predicted this year. No claims on your home or auto do not mean no increase in price. Insurers have scammed us for generations, but never so boldly as now. It’s time for Congress to act. Age discrimination is most visible in this scam. A 16 year old boy, with all of the pubescent distractions he displays daily, is more easily insured, and for less, than an 80 year old woman with a perfect driving record-no tickets, no warnings, no accidents, no claims. Pricing is as inanely generalized as all senior health and mental capacity is judged now based on Joe Biden’s.

Time for AARP to Act Up!

[AARPConsumerCare]

@dh90876752  I'm sorry you didn't find the course valuable! Most people who take it find it educational, with or without the discount, but since the individual insurance companies determine if the course is honored, we always recommend checking first. Please let me know if there's anything else I can help you find!  Jodee R. 

[88dgrant]

Don't you people get it? The majority of those who take this course are in it to save money on their insurance premiums and not concerned about exercises AT ALL! What does this have to do with defensive driving? Yeah, if I stretch I'll get a discount? OK. Listen, if you learned anything from this course then perhaps you shouldn't be driving at all! Time to put the keys down and call your grandchildren or an uber!

[BrianS705370]

You pay the cost once.  You get the discount for several years.  Do the math again.

[j18879g]

I take a 6 hour defensive driving course online every three years. It's worth the discount in NYC. This was the absolute WORST ever. It exceeds 6 hours, and is ageist. It basically discourages seniors from driving, even having the audacity to do math, computing the cost of owning a vehicle vs. giving one up and going with rides from friends, neighbors, family, public transport and taxis. Neck and back exercises to stay limber. Repeating the same information over and over - so insulting. And wasting time - showing a banner introduction to each segment for 10 seconds before you can click on the subsequent window .. most of which last about 11 seconds (as if we cannot retain information or can't be trusted, both!?) I will never return to this. And I stopped my auto renewal for AARP. I am furious at this audacity, implication and inference. I'm 68 years old and looking forward to my new Mini, which is en route from Europe. Next year, I'll return to Improv. Much more fun .. and it's only six hours. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

 @j18879g  I'm sorry to hear you weren't satisfied with the course you took! Your feedback is important, if you'd like to take a moment to share about the AARP Smart Driver online course aarpdriversafety.org. Please call 1-800-350-7025 Representatives are available, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. - Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. ET or email customerservice@aarpdriversafety.org. Thank you!  Jodee R. 

[ak3136]

The AARP Smart Driver course discount is valid for three years so the course fee is per year is  1/3*$30=$10/year (in my state the discounted course fee is $27).  My auto policy lumps all discounts in one bucket -- Smart Driver, air bags, anti-lock brakes -- but does not provide a dollar amount  so I have no idea of the savings.  Still, my three years is up in a few months and I plan to take the online course as a refresher.

[msgrnbay]

When you're not being told of any potential savings and it's hidden from the consumer, to me it is always suspect.  Your insurance company should be able to tell definitively you'll save 1%, 3%, 5%, or whatever by taking the defensive driving course.  Then do the math to see if spending $10.00 a year ($30.00 divided by three years) is worth the hassle of 6 hours of online training. 

[Tempest332]

Good to know.  Kind of like Menards 11% rebates, not being worth the postage, gas & time to send them in.