Drive Your Fleet Forward | Wilmar, Inc.

6 Ways to Leverage Discounts & Safety Programs for Your Fleet Insurance

Written by Wilmar, Inc. | 7/3/25 4:06 PM

As a business owner with vehicles on the road, keeping your fleet insured is a major expense—but it doesn’t have to break the bank. By strategically leveraging discounts and safety programs, you can significantly lower your insurance premiums while enhancing your fleet’s safety and efficiency. Here are six practical ways to make the most of these opportunities and keep more money in your pocket.

1. Install Safety Equipment for Premium Reductions

Modern safety technology isn’t just about protecting your drivers—it can also save you on insurance. Many insurers offer discounts for vehicles equipped with:

  • Dash cams: These record driving behavior and provide evidence in case of accidents, reducing fraudulent claims.
  • Anti-lock brakes (ABS): Proven to reduce collision risks, ABS is a favorite among insurers.
  • Collision avoidance systems: Features like automatic braking or lane departure warnings can lower premiums.
  • GPS trackers: These help recover stolen vehicles and optimize routes, which insurers reward.

Action Step: Check with your insurer for a list of approved devices. The upfront cost of installing these can often pay for itself through discounts and fewer claims.

2. Enroll Drivers in Safety Training Programs

Well-trained drivers are safer drivers, and insurers love that. Enrolling your team in certified driver safety courses can unlock substantial discounts. Look for programs that cover:

  • Defensive driving techniques.
  • Handling hazardous weather or road conditions.
  • Proper vehicle maintenance checks.

Some insurers even partner with specific training providers, offering bigger savings if you use their recommended courses. For fleets requiring commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), ongoing training can also help maintain compliance and reduce accident risks.

Action Step: Ask your insurer about approved training programs and how much you can save. Schedule regular refresher courses to keep your team sharp and your discounts active.

3. Use Telematics to Reward Safe Driving

Telematics devices—small gadgets that monitor driving habits like speed, braking, and cornering—are a win-win for you and your insurer. They provide real-time data to:

  • Identify risky behaviors and coach drivers to improve.
  • Prove safe driving habits to qualify for lower rates.

Many insurers offer telematics-based discounts, sometimes called “usage-based insurance.” Progressive and Nationwide, for example, have programs that can cut premiums by 10-20% for fleets with strong safety records.

Action Step: Ask your insurer about telematics programs. Start with a pilot for a few vehicles to test the savings before rolling it out fleet-wide.

4. Bundle Your Insurance Policies

If your business has other insurance needs—like property, general liability, or workers’ compensation—consider bundling them with your fleet insurance. Most insurers offer multi-policy discounts, which can shave 5-15% off your total premiums.

Bundling also simplifies your paperwork, as you’ll deal with one provider for claims and renewals. Just make sure the bundled policies still meet your specific needs—don’t sacrifice coverage for a discount.

Action Step: Get quotes for bundled policies from your current insurer and a few competitors. Compare the total savings against standalone options to find the best deal.

5. Pay Premiums Annually or Set Up Auto-Pay

How you pay your insurance can impact your costs. Many insurers offer discounts for:

  • Paying annually: A single upfront payment often comes with a 5-10% discount compared to monthly installments.
  • Auto-pay: Setting up automatic payments reduces administrative costs for the insurer, and they may pass those savings to you.

If cash flow allows, paying annually is a quick way to cut costs without changing your coverage. Auto-pay, meanwhile, is a low-effort option for any budget.

Action Step: Review your payment options with your insurer. If annual payments aren’t feasible, ask about auto-pay discounts or other billing incentives.

6. Maintain a Clean Claims History

A strong safety record is one of the best ways to keep premiums low. Insurers reward fleets with few or no claims by offering lower rates at renewal time. To build a clean claims history:

  • Implement strict safety protocols, like pre-trip vehicle inspections.
  • Use telematics or dash cams to resolve disputes quickly and avoid unwarranted claims.
  • Address minor incidents out-of-pocket (if affordable) to avoid rate hikes.

Some insurers also offer “accident forgiveness” programs, where your first claim doesn’t trigger a premium increase—ask if this is available.

Action Step: Review your claims history with your insurer and discuss ways to maintain or improve it. Invest in safety measures now to secure lower rates later.

Final Thoughts

Lowering your fleet insurance costs doesn’t mean cutting corners on coverage. By investing in safety equipment, training, telematics, and smart payment strategies, you can unlock discounts that add up across your fleet. Bundling policies and maintaining a clean claims record further boost your savings while keeping your business protected.

Start small—pick one or two of these strategies and talk to your insurer about what’s available. Over time, these steps can make a big difference to your bottom line, letting you focus on growing your business instead of worrying about insurance bills.

Have a specific fleet size or industry in mind? Let me know, and I can tailor these tips further or help you find insurers offering the best discounts for your needs!