Is car insurance cheap for university students?

Asked by: Mr. Bill Schamberger  |  Last update: November 30, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (4 votes)

Car insurance premiums for young drivers tend to be higher due to inexperience behind the wheel. Fortunately, many car insurance companies do offer ways to cut down on car insurance premiums for college students – namely, in the form of insurance discounts.

Who has the cheapest car insurance for students?

The best car insurance for students
  • Best for discounts: Geico.
  • Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm.
  • Best for students leaving their cars at home: Progressive.
  • Best for pay-per-mile coverage: Allstate.

Do students get lower car insurance?

The cost is typically higher for college students than for older adults, primarily because people between the ages of 18 and 22 can be riskier drivers. Cost savings is one of the reasons most parents keep their college-aged students on their car insurance policy.

Is car insurance cheaper if you have a college degree?

Key takeaways. College graduates typically pay more for car insurance than older, more experienced drivers. On average, car insurance costs between $2,900 to $3,800 per year for full coverage for drivers ages 22 to 25.

How much should a college student save for a car?

Budget: A common rule of thumb is to spend no more than 15% of your annual income on a car. For students, this might mean spending less than $5000 to $10000, depending on part-time work or financial support.

Best Car Insurance for College Students

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What is a good monthly car payment for a college student?

Financial experts recommend spending no more than 10% of your monthly take-home pay on your car payment and no more than 15% to 20% on total car costs such as gas, insurance and maintenance as well as the payment.

How much do college students spend on insurance?

The average annual cost of a public university student health insurance plan is $2,924, while a private school health plan averaged $3,874 annually for undergraduates in the 2023-24 plan year, according to Beckley.

Does GPA affect car insurance?

Full-time high school and college students are usually eligible. Maintain a minimum grade-point average (GPA). Insurance companies typically require students to maintain at least a "B" average, or 3.0 GPA, to earn the discount.

Should I get a car if I'm going to college?

Being in possession of a car certainly ensures that you get to go and that you oversee the travel plans. Your car can help you get a job or internship off campus: Getting an internship off campus is not dependent on owning a car, however, but it certainly makes it easier to commute to and from school.

Do car insurance companies give student discounts?

Fortunately, many car insurance companies do offer ways to cut down on car insurance premiums for college students – namely, in the form of insurance discounts. Generally, you may need to meet some qualifications to be eligible for discounts, such as: Being a full-time student. Being under the age of 25.

What GPA qualifies students for an auto insurance discount?

One is our Good Student insurance discount for grades that accumulate 3.0 GPA or higher, which can get you a discount of up to 14.5 percent on your insurance. [Editor's note: The Good Student discount is 7.1 percent in California.]

Does my car insurance cover a student driver?

In California, teen drivers are automatically covered under their parent/guardian's insurance once they obtain a learner's permit, so no action is required until a teen gets a driver's license.

What age makes car insurance cheaper?

Experienced drivers are less likely to have accident claims, which means they cost less to insure. At Progressive, the average premium per driver tends to decrease significantly from 19-34 and then stabilize or decrease slightly from 34-75. At age 75, the average premium begins trending upward.

Which insurance company is best for students?

State Farm, Progressive, Erie and Amica are the best car insurance companies for college students, based on our research. We evaluated these companies on cost, coverage, availability and customer satisfaction.

Why is student car insurance so expensive?

The lack of experience and driving history plays a major role in determining insurance rates. Young drivers are seen as more prone to accidents due to inexperience, making them riskier clients for insurers. This can result in higher premiums and even difficulty obtaining insurance coverage.

How much does it cost to add a teenager to car insurance Geico?

It costs about $1,076 per year to add a teenager to Geico car insurance. Geico typically charges less than the average auto insurance company to add a teenage driver to a parent's car insurance policy.

How can I afford a car as a college student?

How to improve your chances of getting a car loan as a college student
  1. Check your credit score. If your credit score isn't in great shape, your first step is to work on building it up. ...
  2. Have stable income. ...
  3. Save for a down payment. ...
  4. Choose a vehicle you can afford. ...
  5. Shop around for the best interest rates. ...
  6. Get a cosigner.

Should I let my freshman take a car to college?

Some schools do allow freshmen to have cars on campus, although it's not as common as it is for upperclassmen. Whether or not you should bring a car really depends on a few factors—the specific campus culture, your personal needs, and the parking policies of the college.

Is it better for a college student to buy or lease a car?

By purchasing your car, you'll avoid possible mileage fees or damage fees at the end of a lease. Pro: Your car payments end. Once your financing is paid off, you no longer have a monthly car payment to worry about, giving you more room in your budget for other financial goals.

Does being a student decrease car insurance?

However, if you're a young driver, you can significantly reduce your car insurance premiums in a number of ways, one of which is a good-student discount. Typically, new and young drivers face higher auto insurance rates compared to older drivers.

How much is the Allstate Good student discount?

While Allstate offers the largest good student discount at about 20% off the standard price, its rates are more expensive than average, even after the discount. We recommend comparing quotes from other insurers rather than going with Allstate based on the percentage discount alone.

Can my credit score lower my car insurance?

It found that the use of credit-based insurance scores decreased premiums on 57.4% of auto policies and increased premiums on 23.4%. The scores had no effect on the remaining 19.2% of policies.

What type of insurance do college students need?

For most college students, auto, renters' and health insurance are the three most important coverage types – they may even be all the coverage that's needed. However, some college students may want additional policies.

How much does the average college student spend per month?

According to the College Board, students can expect to spend around $2,932 a month (or $26,390 for a nine-month period) on living expenses for the 2024-25 school year. To break that number down, let's take a closer look at how much college students spend on food, housing, and other expenses.

How much does student insurance cost?

Most elite private colleges, and many public institutions, automatically enroll students in Student Health Insurance Plans. The coverage costs $2,924 a year at public colleges and $3,874 a year at private schools, on average, according to an industry survey of prominent schools in the 2023-24 academic year.