Lee.org

Phoey. I can’t get a free discount on my car insurance in California. That said, taking this driving class saved me a lot of money in New Jersey in 2002-2005. Some car insurance companies honor programs like this, some don’t. Read on.

I took an online driving safety course, sent the certificate of completion to my car insurance company and now my car insurance went down by $150 a year for 3 years! That’s $450 free money!

Here’s what to do:

- Call your car insurance company and ask what kind of discount they’ll give if you take an online drivers safety course that’s sponsored by the National Safety Council. My insurance, GE gave me $150 each year for 3 years. Some companies don’t offer any discount… Sorry.

- Take the course at http://www.nscddconline.com/ It’s also offered at

http://www.tutorials.com/catalog/catalog_item_n.asp?pid=2037 but they charge a bit more.

- Send your insurance company the certificate of completion that you’ll receive a week later.

The course costs $42… IE it instantly pays for itself. The course is mind-numbingly easy. It asks questions like: If you come to a Stop sign on a busy street and an old lady is crossing, should you A) Stop, look and listen B) Accelerate to clear the intersection quickly C) Swerve and continue down the road D) Turn on your hazard lights.

The course took about 3 hours for me to complete. It should take you less given this bit of advice: there is no final test and just about everything they try to teach you is about common sense.. They won’t ask you stuff like “How many feet do you have to park away from a fire hydrant? 5, 15, or 20. (No, I don’t know the answer)

I took the test in August 2002 and I’ve saved about $300 in insurance since.

Yes, this is legit, go to www.nsc.org. Click on “Driving” then click on “DDC-PC Online” and read up on it.

If it works out for you, I’d love to hear back.