According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, around 5.8 million registered and practical nurses provide essential care in the U.S. healthcare industry.
This critical role is both challenging and rewarding. You may qualify for extra discounts on your auto insurance because of your role as a nurse, especially if you've joined one of the qualifying professional organizations.
My research found that several major insurance companies, including Liberty Mutual, GEICO, and Travelers, offer discounts on car insurance for nurses. Other companies, like Root, offer competitive rates regardless of your occupation. Ultimately, the right car insurance company for you will depend on your coverage needs and driving frequency.
How we evaluate products
FinanceBuzz researches a number of factors in each auto insurance provider to create our reviews. These factors include cost and discounts, complaints and customer satisfaction, coverage, and ease of use. We also gather information from sources such as Insurify, J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Better Business Bureau to ensure we provide the most useful information to our readers.
Best car insurance for nurses
Company name | Best for | Average monthly full coverage cost | Average monthly liability-only cost |
Liberty Mutual | Nurse discount program | $235 | $170 |
Root | Usage-based insurance | $144 | $94 |
Travelers | Traveling nurses | $180 | $90 |
Nationwide | New car owners | $174 | $87 |
GEICO | Multiple savings programs | $137 | $107 |
Data provided by Insurify |
Liberty Mutual
- AM Best: A (Stable)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 717/1,000 (study average 697)
- BBB: A-
- NAIC complaints: 3.16 (private passenger)
Liberty Mutual is a leading insurance company with one of the highest discounts for nurses. Members of the American Association of Registered Nurses or the American Nurses Association can save as much as 12% on their policies in eligible states.
This insurance company offers valuable coverage options, including guaranteed asset protection (GAP) and new car replacement insurance. It also has a strong reputation in the industry; in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, it was ranked fifth out of 21 insurance companies. Plus, it offers the IntelliDrive telematics program in many states.
However, Liberty Mutual tends to be on the more expensive side, with higher-than-average rates for liability-only and full coverage policies. The insurer also has a much higher-than-expected number of complaints with the NAIC.
- Higher potential discount for nurses
- Strong J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating
- Sells GAP and new car replacement insurance
- Higher-than-average rates
- Higher-than-usual number of NAIC complaints
- Doesn't offer the nursing discount in all states
Learn more in our Liberty Mutual review.
Root
- AM Best: Not rated
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: Not rated
- BBB: A-
- NAIC complaints: 1.93 (private passenger)
If you're a nurse with a short commute to your workplace, you may drive fewer miles than most. And, if you have a relatively clean driving record, you could benefit from signing up for coverage through Root.
Root is a company specializing in usage-based insurance (UBI) policies. It bases your premiums on your vehicle use and driving habits (such as your speed, acceleration, and braking). If you drive safely, you might save hundreds on full coverage through Root.
Only those with good driving records are eligible for coverage. Also, Root's policies aren't available everywhere. As of 2025, you can't get a policy in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming, or Washington, D.C.
- Cheaper-than-average rates for safe drivers
- Doesn't consider credit scores when calculating rates
- Offers rental car coverage and roadside assistance
- Not available in all 50 states
- Doesn't provide coverage to those with driving infractions
- Penalized for recent data breaches
Learn more in our Root review.
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Travelers
- AM Best: A++ (Superior)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 684/1,000 (study average 697)
- BBB: A+
- NAIC complaints: 3.96 (private passenger)
Travel nursing is a potentially lucrative career path. By relocating to work at different healthcare facilities that need trained nurses, you could make a higher-than-average salary and get help covering your living expenses.
However, that might mean flying to different destinations and frequently renting vehicles. If you often rent cars, you may benefit from non-owner policies. While not all insurance companies sell this form of coverage, Travelers has coverage for you and your passengers in case you're in an accident while in a car that isn't yours.
Travelers also offers affinity discounts for members of membership or employment organizations, so you might qualify for an additional premium reduction. However, the insurer has a lower-than-average customer satisfaction rating. And though it offers rideshare insurance, this coverage isn't available everywhere.
- Sells non-owner policies
- Offers a potential affinity discount for nurses
- Has many general savings programs and policy options
- Below-average customer satisfaction and a high number of NAIC complaints
- Doesn't offer several discounts nationwide
- Limited rideshare insurance availability
Learn more in our Travelers review.
Nationwide
- AM Best: A (Stable)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 728/1,000 (study average 697)
- BBB: A+
- NAIC complaints: 0.39 (private passenger)
As a nurse, you need a reliable car. If you decide to purchase a new vehicle for peace of mind, Nationwide could be a good option for you. The insurer offers GAP insurance, which helps cover the difference between your car's value and loan balance if your car is totaled or stolen. Additionally, it offers other optional products, including roadside assistance, a total loss deductible waiver, a vanishing deductible, and accident forgiveness.
Nationwide has a strong reputation for customer service. The company ranked fourth for claims satisfaction in J.D. Power's study and topped its list of car insurance companies offering UBI policies. It also has a much lower-than-expected number of NAIC complaints.
However, despite its name, Nationwide isn't available everywhere. Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Massachusetts will have to obtain coverage elsewhere.
- Sells GAP insurance for new cars
- Offers several other optional add-on coverages
- Strong J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings
- Very low number of NAIC complaints
- Not available in all 50 states
- Smaller independent insurance agent network
Learn more in our Nationwide review.
Average rate:
GEICO
- AM Best: A++ (Superior)
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: 692/1,000 (study average 697)
- BBB: A+
- NAIC complaints: 0.75 (private passenger)
GEICO allows customers to shop for and purchase coverage entirely online. If you're a nurse with a busy schedule, the ability to buy a policy with your laptop or phone is convenient. GEICO also tends to have lower-than-average rates, and it has a large number of discount programs that can help you save even more on car insurance.
The company advertises many discount opportunities, including those for completing driver training or defensive driving courses, maintaining a clean driving record, purchasing multiple policies, and holding specific professional memberships. You can check if your nursing association membership qualifies you for a discount.
However, GEICO's customer service reputation is less than stellar. It scored lower than the industry average for claims satisfaction in J.D. Power's study. It also has a small agent network, making it harder to get personalized assistance.
- Cheaper-than-average rates
- Digital buying experience
- Offers multiple discount programs
- Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings
- Doesn't offer GAP coverage
- Small agent network
Learn more in our GEICO review.
How occupation-based discounts for nurses work
Several major insurance companies offer special discounts for qualifying nurses. Typically, they require you to be a licensed nurse and a member of a qualifying national or state professional association to be eligible for the discount.
For instance, you may need to be part of one of the following organizations.
- American Nurses Association
- Emergency Nurses Association
- American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
- Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses
- American Association of Registered Nurses
Car insurance discount amounts vary by insurer but usually range between 5% and 12%. Note that you may not qualify for a nurse discount in some states.
You can usually find information about potential discount programs on your professional association's website or membership portal, or you can ask the car insurance company directly.
Other ways for nurses to save on car insurance
Nurses can also save money on car insurance by following these tips.
- Consider usage-based insurance (UBI): UBI or telematics policies base premiums on a driver's actual vehicle use, mileage, and driving habits. Those who drive safely or cover fewer-than-average miles may qualify for substantial savings.
- Adjust your coverage: Depending on your car's age and value, you may no longer need comprehensive or collision insurance; instead, you may just want liability coverage. Dropping unnecessary insurance or lowering your limits can help you save hundreds on premiums, but consider the financial risk.
- Increase your deductible: Raising your deductible, such as increasing it from $250 to $1,000, could significantly reduce your premium. This makes the most sense when you have enough emergency savings to cover the amount.
- Ask about discounts: You may be eligible for multiple general discount programs, such as multi-policy discounts, safe driver discounts, or autopay discounts.
- Shop around: Insurance coverage costs can vary based on the insurer issuing the policy. Getting quotes from several insurers at least once a year is a good habit to get into to avoid overpaying for coverage.
FAQs
Does being a nurse lower your car insurance?
As a nurse, you can potentially qualify for insurance discounts if you're part of a national, regional, or state professional association. Check with your association to see which insurance companies it affiliates with.
What car insurance coverages do nurses need?
To protect yourself, your vehicle, and your assets, you may need a full coverage policy that combines collision, comprehensive, and liability insurance. Also, if you're a travel nurse, you may spend more time on the road and be at an increased risk of accidents, so you may need higher coverage limits than other drivers.
Who offers the cheapest car insurance for nurses?
Root and GEICO have the lowest average car insurance rates for full coverage policies and liability-only insurance. While Root doesn't offer a discount for nurses, its UBI policies may still lead to significant savings.
Bottom line
A career in nursing entitles you to some additional benefits, such as potential discounts on insurance products. While several car insurance companies offer special discount programs for nurses, you might qualify for the lowest rates through a telematics program.
The five car insurance picks covered are a good place to start, but it's a good idea to obtain several quotes from the best car insurance companies to find the best rates for your policy.
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