How to Get the Best Affinity Group Discount Online

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Affinity discount: woman smiling at the camera

Car insurance companies offer a number of discounts to attract new customers ranging from good student discounts to paid-in-full discounts and many more. One of the most overlooked and relatively unknown discounts is an affinity discount. If you’re searching for more ways to make your car insurance affordable, put this discount on your radar.


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What is an Affinity Discount?

An affinity discount is a savings discount program that rewards customers for being part of an organization. This extends beyond car insurance to retailers, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. Generally speaking, the business — or in this instance, the car insurance company — and a particular organization have a partnership agreement whereby your membership automatically qualifies you for specific discounts.

Unlike other car insurance discounts, you typically need to let your insurer know about the groups you’re in to get the discount. The insurer doesn’t have a list of the organizations you belong to, so offering this information is the only way to take advantage of substantial discounts.

Do Certain Professions or Employees Qualify for an Affinity Discount?

Nurses walking along a hospital corridor

Beyond being a member of a qualified organization, certain professions and employees may also qualify for an affinity discount. While this can vary from company to company, many insurers extend affinity discounts to employees at partner companies or teachers, professors, health care professionals, or government employees.

If you’re an employee in any of these professions, it’s always worth asking your insurer for an affinity discount. You may also find this information on your insurer’s website via an FAQ about discounts. You can also search the website or contact the company or organization you’re a member of to learn more about getting an affinity discount or promotional code at checkout.

If you’re a qualified employee, you may need to show proof to the insurer, so have these documents handy to streamline the process:

  • Pay stub
  • Copy of your employee ID
  • Letter or email from your employer

How Do I Qualify for an Affinity Discount?

To qualify for an affinity discount, you must have a membership in a specific organization, work for a specific employer, or hold a job title that falls on the list of affinity discount eligibility. Because this differs between insurers, you may have to do a bit of research to find out if you qualify.

Here are some of the common memberships and professions that are usually eligible for an affinity discount:

  • Fraternities and sororities
  • College honor societies, such as Beta Gamma Sigma or Alpha Chi
  • Credit unions
  • Auto clubs, such as AAA
  • Various employee associations
  • Jobs such as EMTs, teachers, health care professionals, police officers, firefighters, and government employees
  • Active military personnel or veteran
  • Wholesale shopping clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club
  • Churches

Pro Tip: If you’re a homeowner, you can save up your cash by bundling your home and auto insurance while also taking advantage of an affinity discount on both policies.

How Much Can I Save With an Affinity Discount?

Like other car insurance discounts, the amount you save with an affinity discount varies by insurer. However, you can reasonably expect to save 3% to 20% with an affinity discount in addition to any other discounts you receive.

Nevertheless, you should still compare auto insurance quotes, as prices could be lower with one insurer even if you’re getting a substantial affinity discount from another.


Start With an Affordable Rate Before an Affinity Discount


What Insurers Offer Affinity Discounts?

Graduates putting their hands together

Almost all car insurance companies offer some form of affinity discount. Here are a handful of auto insurance companies that offer affinity discounts:

Direct Auto

Memberships Eligible for Affinity Discounts: Direct Auto offers affinity discounts for members of churches, certain employers, clubs, university associations, government organizations, wholesale shopping clubs, retiree organizations, and fraternal/sororal societies.

Call 1-877-GO-DIRECT to get a full list of applicable affinity discount opportunities.

Savings: Up to 5%

What Sets Them Apart: Direct Auto has flexible payment options through EFT, credit card, and debit card, as well as 24/7 claims service through its app. The company also offers coverage for high-risk drivers or those who have had a DUI and can file an SR-22 form on their behalf.

Farmers Insurance

Memberships Eligible for Affinity Discounts: Farmers Insurance provides affinity discounts if you’re a member, employee, or retiree of certain businesses, occupational groups, or professional associations.

Dial 1-888-327-6335 for a full list.

Savings: Varies depending on the organization.

What Sets Them Apart: In business for 95 years, Farmers Insurance has a sparkling reputation among consumers thanks to a network of 50,000 agents and exceptional customer service. They also offer plenty of other products, such as life insurance, casualty insurance, home insurance, and renters insurance, to help you bundle products and save money.

Travelers Insurance

Memberships Eligible for Affinity Discounts: Travelers Insurance gives affinity discounts if you’re an employee or member of one of their participating employers, credit unions, or association groups.

You can call Travelers at 1-800-842-5075 for a full listing.

Savings: Varies depending on the organization.

What Sets Them Apart: With over 150 years in the insurance industry, 24/7 support, and up to 15 available auto insurance discounts, Travelers Insurance is one of the most reputable insurance companies in the business. If you purchase an insurance policy to get an affinity discount through your employer, Travelers offers payroll deduction to help you budget and avoid missing a payment.

GEICO

Memberships Eligible for Affinity Discounts: GEICO partners with over 500 different organizations to provide affinity discounts for eligible members. The list includes alumni associations, fraternities, sororities, colleges, universities, societies, charities, and large employers.

Contact GEICO at 1-800-207-7847 for a full list of available discounts, or use the organization search feature on the GEICO website.

Savings: Up to 12%

What Sets Them Apart: Fantastic advertising campaigns aside, GEICO enjoys a 97% customer satisfaction rating, over 85 years of experience in the auto insurance industry, and an award-winning app to make payments and claims easy.

Nationwide

Memberships Eligible for Affinity Discounts: Nationwide provides hundreds of affinity discounts if you’re an alumnus of certain universities, belong to a credit union, are part of a fraternal/sororal organization, or are a member of a professional organization or society.

Savings: Varies by organization or membership.

What Sets Them Apart: As one of the largest insurance companies in the world, Nationwide provides exemplary customer service, competitive rates, and outstanding claims service via the On Your Side promise.

Other Options

These certainly aren’t the only car insurance companies that offer affinity discounts — AAA and the California/Oregon insurer Wawanesa also have one. If you’re satisfied with your current provider or you want to combine an affinity discount with a more affordable car insurance policy when your renewal comes around, reach out to your preferred insurer to see what they offer.

Get an Affinity for the Best Car Insurance Rate Possible

Affinity discounts are a great bonus that puts more money in your pocket during each policy term. However, an affinity discount isn’t always a surefire way to save the most of your hard-earned cash. Beyond searching for this type of discount, you should always check car insurance quotes every six months to a year.

Car insurance companies use a variety of rubrics and factors to determine your auto insurance rate. If you aren’t checking quotes regularly, you could miss out on substantial savings. So get an affinity for saving money by finding the cheapest rate. It’s the best move you can make to get the coverage you want at a price that fits right into your budget.


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