The Best Car Insurance For College Students

The short answer is the best car insurance for college students is actually their parents’ or an existing family policy. Young and newer drivers often have to pay the highest rates for car insurance out of anyone else on the road. However, there may be circumstances where this may not be the case. Like how car insurance is different for everyone, the higher education experience tends to be unique as well. That’s why it’s important to consider the best car insurance for or as a college student.

Car Insurance For College Students in General

The most general way that college students go about car insurance when they are bringing a car to school is they remain on their parents’ or family’s existing policy –since they are technically not moved out permanently and are still members of the household. Doing this is convenient for many reasons beyond just saving money on what would be a very expensive individual policy.

For starters, it’s easier to manage since there is only a single policy with just multiple drivers (or insurance riders as they are called). Having one policy also allows for vehicle sharing among riders –no notifications to the insurance providers are necessary. Again, students rarely change their official address to their dorms. So as long as their home address remains their official one, they will be able to use their home’s car insurance coverage.

Car Insurance Coverages That College Students Should Have

What should this car insurance for college students include? It goes without saying that liability coverage is naturally required. This is the basic car insurance that covers any damage or injuries that you cause to other drivers and their cars and is required in the majority of the United States and the world. Of course, this is just basic car insurance, and fuller coverage is typically recommended for younger and newer drivers under the age of 25. Collision and comprehensive coverage make up full car insurance and are highly recommended for new drivers. Collision for when the car is damaged in an at-fault accident and comprehensive for when the car is damaged by weather or crime while it is parked.

Why College Students Pay so Much For Car Insurance

It’s a general rule of car insurance that drivers under the age of 25 pay the most for car insurance because they are the riskiest to insure. This is due to a lack of a tangible driving record. This is the age range of most college students, so it’s expected that they will be paying around six times the average. Remaining on an existing family policy more than helps alleviate and altogether avoid these high costs.

Car Insurance For Out-of-State College Students

It’s common for a family’s car insurance policy to follow their college-bound student out of state to their respective schools. It’s important that you notify the insurance company about this, along with details about where they are going to school. However, there may be some instances where college students would be required to have their own policies, but this is rare. When studying abroad, college students will usually have to get car insurance in the country where they are relocating, unless they are going from the United States to Canada.

Car Insurance Discounts For College Students

As always, good driver discounts are available for college students who avoid accidents, traffic violations, and insurance claims. An exclusive discount is a good student discount wherein proof of honor roll can be presented for a cut on car insurance rates. It pays to be both a good driver and a student.