Anti-Lock Brakes May Mean Discount for Allstate Drivers

Drivers of cars equipped with anti-lock brakes could soon be getting a break on their auto insurance rates.

In a move that could set a precedent for other major insurance companies, Allstate Insurance Co. announced today that it is offering a 10% discount on three major auto-policy coverages for cars with anti-lock brakes.

“This discount, in effect, is the first of its kind for a major carrier,” said Greg Rossiter, a spokesman for the company, based in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook. The only other U.S. insurance company currently offering an anti-lock brake system discount is USAA, of San Antonio, a firm that provides insurance to military personnel and their dependents, Rossiter said.

Anti-lock brakes use an on-board computer to control wheel speed during braking, allowing faster and safer stops without skidding or loss of steering control.