The Hidden Discount That Most Minnesota Drivers Over 55 Are Missing Out On

Let's face it—auto insurance premiums aren't getting any cheaper. For many of our clients at VitalShield Insurance Services, especially those enjoying their golden years, finding ways to trim expenses without sacrificing coverage has become increasingly important.
What if I told you that drivers over 55 in Minnesota could save a guaranteed 10% on their auto insurance with just a few hours of their time? No gimmicks, no complicated hoops to jump through—just straightforward savings that state law requires insurance companies to provide.

The Minnesota Law Most Insurance Agents Don't Tell You About

Here's something many Minnesota residents don't know: Minnesota state law requires auto insurance companies to give a 10% discount to drivers 55 and older who complete a state-approved defensive driving course. This isn't optional for insurance companies—it's mandatory.

The best part? Once you complete the course, your discount lasts for three full years before you need a refresher. That's three years of guaranteed savings on your premium, regardless of what happens with general insurance rates.
"Many of our clients are shocked when they learn about this discount," says Tim, Agency Owner at VitalShield Insurance Services. "It's essentially free money being left on the table simply because people don't know to ask for it." "I took it and saved too!"

The Easiest Way to Claim Your 10% Discount

At VitalShield, we've partnered with Drive Safe Online Minnesota to make this process as simple as possible for our clients. Their course (available at https://www.drivesafeonline.org/minnesota/accident-prevention-courses/) checks all the boxes required by Minnesota law and can be completed entirely online, from the comfort of your home.

Here's why our clients love this particular course:

• 100% online - No need to drive anywhere or sit in a classroom
• Self-paced - Complete it over multiple sessions if you prefer
• No final exam - Just review the material at your own pace
• Mobile-friendly - Use your computer, tablet, or smartphone
• Certificate delivered instantly - Get your discount proof immediately upon completion

The standard price for the course is $24.95, but as a VitalShield client, you can use our exclusive discount code MNGRE to save on the course fee itself.

When you consider that the average Minnesota driver over 55 pays approximately $1,200 annually for auto insurance, a 10% discount represents around $120 in yearly savings. That means your investment in the course pays for itself many times over during the three years the certification remains valid.

Real Savings: Meet John and Margaret

John and Margaret M. from Plymouth are perfect examples of how this simple step can lead to substantial savings. As VitalShield clients for over eight years, they were paying about $2,200 annually to insure their two vehicles.
"We had no idea this discount existed until Tim mentioned it during our annual policy review," Margaret told us. "We both took the course one Sunday afternoon—it was actually quite interesting and had some good refreshers on driving safety."
The result? Their premium dropped by $220 per year—a $660 savings over the three years before they'll need to take a refresher course.
"It was the easiest money we've ever saved," John said. "And honestly, I learned some new things about handling roundabouts and defensive driving techniques that have made me feel more confident on the road."

Beyond the Discount: Additional Benefits of Defensive Driving Courses

While the 10% premium reduction is certainly appealing, many of our clients report unexpected benefits beyond the financial savings:

1. Updated Knowledge of Road Rules

Traffic laws and best practices evolve over time. Many drivers who took their license test decades ago appreciate the refresher on current rules, especially regarding newer road features like roundabouts and updated traffic signal patterns.

2. Increased Confidence Behind the Wheel

As we age, some drivers begin to feel less confident navigating busy highways or complex intersections. The defensive driving course reinforces safe driving techniques that help restore that confidence.

3. Reduced Accident Risk

The primary purpose of these courses is to make you a safer driver. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reports that drivers who complete these courses are statistically less likely to be involved in accidents, regardless of their age.

4. Family Peace of Mind

Many adult children worry about their parents' driving abilities as they age. Having completed a certified defensive driving course provides reassurance to family members that you're committed to maintaining your driving skills.
"One client told me her daughter had been hinting that maybe it was time to give up driving," Tim recalls. "After completing the course, she invited her daughter on a drive to demonstrate her refreshed skills. The daughter was impressed and stopped worrying quite so much."

How the Process Works with VitalShield

As your local insurance advocates, we've streamlined the process to make claiming this discount as simple as possible:

Step 1: Enroll in the Course

Visit https://www.drivesafeonline.org/minnesota/accident-prevention-courses/ and sign up for the Minnesota Accident Prevention Course. Remember to use code MNGRE for your VitalShield client discount.

Step 2: Complete at Your Own Pace

The course takes approximately 4 hours to complete, but you don't have to finish it in one sitting. The system saves your progress, allowing you to log in and out as needed.

Step 3: Receive Your Certificate

Once you've completed the course, you'll receive an official certificate of completion immediately. Download and save this certificate—you'll need it for the next step.

Step 4: Submit to VitalShield

Email or bring your certificate to our office. We'll contact your insurance carrier and ensure the 10% discount is applied to your policy immediately.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Savings

The discount remains in effect for three full years. We'll remind you when it's time to renew your certification to maintain uninterrupted savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on questions from our clients, here's what you might want to know:

Q: Do both my spouse and I need to take the course to get the discount?

A: For maximum savings, yes. Each driver over 55 needs their own certificate to qualify for the discount on vehicles they drive.

Q: Will this discount affect my coverage in any way?

A: Absolutely not. This is a pure discount—your coverage remains exactly the same, you'll just pay less for it.

Q: I'm not very tech-savvy. Is the online course difficult to navigate?

A: The course is designed to be extremely user-friendly, even for those with minimal computer experience. If you can browse websites and use email, you can complete this course. Plus, our team at VitalShield is always available to help walk you through the process if needed.

Q: What if I've had accidents or tickets recently?

A: The 10% discount applies regardless of your driving record. In fact, completing the course might help offset premium increases from recent incidents.

Q: Do I need to be a current VitalShield client to use the discount code?

A: No, we're happy to share this resource with all Minnesota drivers over 55. However, we'd love the opportunity to review your current insurance coverage to see if we can find you additional savings beyond this discount.

Don't Leave Money on the Table

At VitalShield Insurance Services, our mission is to ensure our clients have the protection they need at the best possible price. This defensive driving discount is just one of many strategies we employ to help you maximize coverage while minimizing costs.
If you're a Minnesota driver over 55, there's simply no reason not to take advantage of this opportunity. The course is engaging, convenient, and guaranteed to save you money on your auto insurance for the next three years.

Ready to claim your 10% discount? Visit https://www.drivesafeonline.org/minnesota/accident-prevention-courses/, use code MNGRE, and then contact our office to have the discount applied to your policy.

For personalized assistance or to learn about other ways VitalShield can help optimize your insurance portfolio, visit our website at https://vitalshieldus.com or call our Minnesota office directly at 763.290.1267.

Drive safely, save smartly, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with being properly protected on the road.

Note: Discount availability and requirements are based on Minnesota state law as of July 2025. While the 10% discount is mandated for drivers 55+, the specific course requirements may vary by insurance carrier. VitalShield Insurance Services will work with your specific carrier to ensure all requirements are met.