Julia Taliesin is an insurance content writer at Insurify. She began her career as a journalist, covering local government and business in Somerville, Mass.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Cheapest recent rates
Insurify’s drivers have found rates ranging from $34/mo. to $137/mo. in the last few days
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from October 30, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Car insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, so the first step to finding the ideal coverage as a college student is identifying your unique needs. It’s usually more affordable for young drivers to stay on their parents’ policies. But your transportation needs, where you’ll live at school, the school’s distance from home, and your parents’ driving records will factor into that choice.
Expect higher rates since you may only have a year or two of driving experience. But it’s possible to find auto insurance coverage that will work for you.
Quick Facts
Foreign students may need an international driving permit to drive in the United States.
Driving a safer vehicle can help you save on premiums.
Car insurance doesn’t have an age limit for staying on your parents’ policy.
What to know about staying on your parents’ car insurance
Whether staying on your parents’ policy is the best choice depends on a few factors. Adding a young driver to the family policy will raise the premium — but whether you or your parents pay for your coverage — that increase will be cheaper than paying for a separate policy.
More than just the cost matters, too. For example, these are a few situations when you can be on your parents’ policy:
You’re a college student who only drives your parents’ car when you’re home during breaks, and your parents’ address is still your primary residence.
You live with your parents and drive a car they own or lease.
You co-own a car with your parents or live in a property they own or rent.
And these are times when you’ll probably have to buy separate coverage:
You don’t live with your parents or in a property they own. Most insurers make exceptions for temporary housing like dorms, so this is typically only if you move out and change your primary residence.
You own or lease your own car. But some insurers may let you stay on a family policy if you still live with your parents.
The rates in this table show you could save about $90 per month, on average, if your parents add you to their policy versus buying a full-coverage policy of your own.
Drivers
▲▼
Liability Only
▲▼
Full Coverage
▲▼
Two parents + a teen driver
$296
$599
Two parents
$157
$316
Teen driver on their own policy
$184
$372
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Insurify Tip
Be sure your insurance company assigns you to the right vehicle. Insurers may assign the most expensive driver to the most expensive car by default, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). You can save money by driving the least valuable car, but there are no exceptions: That’s the only family car you can drive.
Car insurance for college students out of state
The first thing to consider about car insurance if you’re heading to college out of state is whether you need a car to get around. If your school is in an urban area, you could get by just fine with shuttles, public transportation, a bicycle, and the occasional rideshare trip. It might even be expensive to park a car nearby.
If you’re leaving the car at home and only driving it during school breaks, you’ll stay on your parents’ insurance. And you might qualify for a student-away-at-school discount.[1] If you’re taking a car with you to campus, confirm with your insurer whether you can stay on your parents’ policy or need your own, as it can vary by state.
Though states have different liability limits, your policy’s coverage will adjust to meet any state-required limits higher than those of your home state.[2] But if you move off campus and officially change your primary residence, you’ll need to get your own car insurance policy in that state.
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Car insurance for international students
Car insurance requirements for international students studying in the U.S. can vary significantly by state.[3] Looking up the state’s department of motor vehicles and asking your school for resources could help you get answers fast.
In some states, your foreign driver’s license may be enough to secure auto insurance and drive a vehicle legally. In others, you’ll need to apply for an international driving permit (IDP) in your home country before you arrive in the U.S.
Some states also have time limits. In Texas, drivers with foreign licenses or IDPs can operate vehicles only for 90 days and must then apply for a Texas-issued license.[4] In Indiana, international drivers need an IDP and can use it for up to one year.[5]
If you plan to remain in the U.S., obtaining a U.S. driver’s license may be the best choice. You’ll need certain documents, which vary by state, to get a driver’s license. Many auto insurance companies sell policies to international drivers, though you may see higher rates since you don’t have a U.S.-based driving history for insurers to review.
Finding an affordable policy is important, but it’s not the only thing to look for when you compare insurance companies. The best fit depends on your unique profile, and young adults and college students can have some specific needs.
These three auto insurance companies have below-average rates for college students, great discounts for young drivers, and coverage options that can give everyone peace of mind.
State Farm: Best for teens on their parents’ policy
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.3/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$55/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$121/mo
Families can take advantage of numerous discounts State Farm offers for students and young drivers. A full-time student can save up to 25% for earning good grades and qualify for a “student away at school” discount if they move to school and only use the vehicle during vacations and holidays. New drivers can earn discounts by participating in the Steer Clear education and usage-based insurance program, driver’s ed classes, and a defensive driving course.
Pros
Offers emergency roadside assistance add-on
High claims and customer satisfaction ratings
Parents can save by bundling with home or life policies
Cons
Accident forgiveness only available to longtime customers
The insurance is higher than other companies' policies.
Marsha - October 29, 2024
Verified
Friendly agents!
Check out their prices!
Linda - October 29, 2024
Verified
I also have my homeowners insurance with them. I had a fire in my hot water heater and a year later, someone stayed in my house while I was gone for 2 months. I came home to a floating kitchen floor. After these incidents, StateFarm cancelled my policy.
I also have my homeowners insurance with them. I had a fire in my hot water heater and a year later, someone stayed in my house while I was gone for 2 months. I came home to a floating kitchen floor. After these incidents, StateFarm cancelled my policy.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.0/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$55/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$121/mo
GEICO’s user-friendly and highly rated mobile app makes it a great choice for teens and college students. Drivers can pay bills, get a digital ID card, call for 24/7 roadside assistance, file claims, and more in the insurer’s app. GEICO offers a good student discount of up to 15%, and students may qualify for savings through alumni or university organizations. GEICO also provides discounts for people who complete driver’s education and defensive driving courses.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.9/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$62/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$137/mo
Allstate offers several savings opportunities to encourage young drivers to get educated on and off the road. Young drivers can get certified with teenSMART, a program that addresses the factors that cause 90% of teen collisions. Allstate offers a discount on the program and auto policies for certified teens. Good students can earn a discount by meeting Allstate’s grade requirements, and parents can save on a family policy if their student lives more than 100 miles away.
I was on a three-lane highway in heavy traffic and couldn't avoid a piece of metal in my lane. I couldn't swerve or I would have hit other cars. Allstate said the accident was the driver's fault and then doubled my insurance cost.
Hugh - October 29, 2024
Verified
Actual Crash Damages vs. Damages Quoted Over the Phone
There were problems getting the correct amount paid out when I made a claim. I had to escalate the issue to the Senior Vice President to get a proper settlement when a deer hit my truck. There was a $5000 difference between what was paid out when the estimator assessed the value of damage to my truck and the actual estimate done by a local car dealership. The Senior Vice President agreed that the amount of damage done was the amount quoted by the local car dealership.
Miriam - October 29, 2024
Verified
Best Overall
Check around before choosing. Allstate has been my choice for years.
…
Our editorial team analyzed more than 40 regional and national car insurance companies to figure out which offer the best rates and the most coverage options, flexibility, and savings opportunities to college students. We prioritized competitive rates, broad availability, student and driver’s education discounts, 24/7 roadside assistance, well-rated mobile apps, and bundling options, especially for renters and pet insurance, in our review.
Cost of car insurance for college students
Insurance companies set rates based on risk, and if you’re a brand-new driver, you’re more risky than an experienced driver. Crash rates are highest for 16-year-olds and teenagers in general but drop significantly once drivers hit their 20s, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Insurance rates reflect that risk, and teen drivers face the highest rates among age groups, according to Insurify data. If you maintain a good driving record, your rates will go down as you gain more driving experience.
Average Monthly Rates by Age
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
5 ways for college students to get cheaper insurance
As less experienced drivers, college students may face higher premiums, but here are a few ways to get cheaper auto insurance:
Take driver training classes. Many insurers offer discounts for drivers who complete driver’s education and defensive driving courses. Depending on when you get your license, your state may not require you to take driver’s ed, but it’s still a good idea to learn safe driving techniques and save money on premiums.
Maintain good grades. Most insurance companies offer discounts to students who achieve good grades since data shows those students exhibit less risky driving behavior. An insurer may require a certain GPA or class ranking to qualify.
Drive a safe vehicle. Insuring a safer vehicle is cheaper than insuring a more specialized, luxury, or classic car.[6] The IIHS rates vehicle safety and publishes a list every year that you can reference.
Compare car insurance. It pays to shop around. Comparing auto insurance quotes is one of the best ways to save on premium costs because it’ll help you find the best price for your ideal coverage.
Reduce your coverage. If you’re driving an older car and paying more for insurance than it would cost to replace the car, buying just liability-only insurance instead of full coverage will help you save on premiums.
Standard car insurance coverages
No matter where you go to college, you’ll need at least your home state’s minimum liability coverage to drive. (Only New Hampshire doesn’t require car insurance.) Here’s what liability insurance typically includes:
Bodily injury liability coverage:Bodily injury liability pays for injuries to someone else in an accident you cause.
Property damage liability coverage: This pays for damage you cause to someone else’s property in an accident.
Triple-I recommends buying the highest limits you can afford to ensure greater financial protection if someone sues you following an accident. Since crash rates are highest for teen drivers, Triple-I recommends buying more coverage for less experienced drivers.
Unlike liability coverage, a full-coverage car insurance policy pays to repair your vehicle following an accident or covered event. It typically includes:
Collision coverage:Collision insurance pays for damage to your car from a crash with another car or object, like a tree or telephone pole.
Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive insurance reimburses you for damage from vehicle theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, earthquakes, floods, riots, and more.
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Optional add-on car insurance coverages
Insurers offer numerous add-ons to increase your protection. Some coverages that are optional in one state are required in another, including:
Personal injury protection (PIP): This pays for injuries to you and your passengers, including medical and funeral expenses, rehabilitative therapies, and lost wages.
Medical payments (MedPay): This also pays for injuries to you and your passengers but just covers medical and funeral expenses.
These are some other optional coverages to consider:
Roadside assistance
This usually includes 24/7 customer support to get you help when you have car trouble. Roadside assistance can help change a tire, jump a battery, or tow your vehicle to a mechanic.
Towing and labor
While roadside assistance often includes towing, some companies offer it separately. Check with your insurer to be sure you get the coverage you need.
Rental car reimbursement
This will help pay for a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop after a covered insurance claim. It doesn’t apply to routine maintenance.
Travel expenses reimbursement
This pays for meals, lodging, and transportation back home or to your destination if your car breaks down far away from home.
Accident forgiveness
This coverage will prevent one accident from affecting your insurance rates. Insurers may only offer it after a few years of accident-free driving.
Gap insurance
If you finance or lease your car, and an accident totals it, gap insurance pays the difference between what that vehicle is currently worth and what you owe on it.
New car replacement
This pays for the full cost of a new car — not the depreciated value — if it’s stolen or totaled in the first few years (confirm with your insurer how long you’ll be eligible for this coverage).
Custom parts and equipment
This can help pay to repair or replace parts you added to modify your car.
Pet injury
This isn’t the same as pet insurance but will cover up to a certain amount of your pet’s vet bills if it’s injured in a car accident with you. Your insurer may include this in collision coverage.
College student car insurance FAQs
As you figure out the best solution and coverage for you during college, remember that comparing quotes will help you find your ideal policy. If you still have questions, here’s some more information that could help.
How much do college students pay for car insurance?
Teenagers on their own policies pay an average of $188 monthly for liability-only coverage and $382 monthly for full-coverage car insurance, Insurify data shows. Students who remain on their parents’ policy often pay less.
What are some car insurance discounts for college students?
College students can get discounts for earning good grades and completing driver’s education courses. Students attending college away from home and only driving on breaks could also qualify for a student-away-at-school discount.
What GPA qualifies students for an auto insurance discount?
The requirement varies by insurer. For example, State Farm requires a GPA of 3.0 or above, and GEICO requires at least a B average. Ask your insurance company about their discount and what documentation it needs from you.
Are there age limits for students to stay on their parents’ car insurance?
You can stay on your parents’ policy as long as their home is your permanent residence. Unlike health insurance, there’s no age limit restriction on car insurance.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Julia Taliesin is an insurance content writer at Insurify. She began her career as a journalist, covering local government and business in Somerville, Mass. She reported multiple investigative stories about municipal finances and budget allocation, building development and inspection, and personnel. When the pandemic began she became a de facto public health reporter, writing daily and weekly reports using available data to quickly communicate rates of infection and city response.
She's worked for print and digital outlets, writing everything from quick-hit breaking news to long-form community features. More recently, Julia managed content strategy at a startup creating a social platform for licensed nurses, overseeing a team of nurse freelancers and editing interview transcripts and news articles for publication.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in communications from Simmons University, with a focus in journalism. Outside of work, Julia enjoys working on crafting projects, learning about homesteading, and singing in cover bands.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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