Buy Cheap Auto Insurance for Students in 2024
College students can save on car insurance by staying on their parent or guardian’s policy, choosing the right insurer, and taking advantage of discounts.
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Heidi Mertlich
Licensed Insurance Agent
Heidi works with top-rated insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she understands the need ...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Aug 26, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Aug 26, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- The top three auto insurance companies for college students are AAA, Geico, and Travelers
- The average cost of car insurance for college students is $1,257 per year
- The best car insurance companies can help college students save up to $900 per year on coverage
If you’re looking for the best car insurance for college students, you may be overwhelmed with your options. And while many companies offer car insurance to college students, some offer lower rates and better customer service than the rest.
The best way to find a car insurance company that works for you is to find and compare student car insurance quotes from multiple providers to see which can offer you the coverage you’re looking for at a price that works with your budget.
Who offers the best car insurance for students?
In terms of price, the following table shows the insurance companies that offer the best insurance for students.
The cheapest auto insurance rates with any company will come when college students join their parent or guardian’s auto insurance policy. However, there are also opportunities to save money for students who do not often drive on campus.
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What are the best car insurance companies for students?
To find the cheapest car insurance for college students, you may want to get quotes from several of the following companies:
AAA
At an average of $792 annually, AAA offers cheap car insurance for college students, and among all companies, AAA has the most affordable rates. The company offers discounts, like a good student and new driver, but fees are associated with being an AAA member.
The necessary fees typically cost anywhere from $30 to $90 per year, but they help to cover AAA roadside assistance costs. Read our AAA membership car rental insurance review for more information on the company.
Read more:
- AAA Auto Insurance Review: Should you buy?
- AAA Rental Car Insurance Review: How good is the coverage?
- Buy Cheap Auto Insurance as a New Driver
- Buy Cheap Auto Insurance for Medical Students
Travelers
Travelers offers some of the cheapest car insurance for students, with rates as low as $879 annually. In addition, the company has discount opportunities for good students, students who are away at school, and students who take a driver training course.
Travelers also allows policyholders to purchase a Responsible Driver plan that stops accidents or minor violations from raising auto insurance rates. If you’re interested in their telematics discount program, read our Travelers IntelliDrive review.
USAA
On average, USAA rates are comparable to Travelers, so USAA also offers cheap student car insurance. USAA is a good option for college students with great rates and discount options, but you have to be affiliated with the military to qualify for coverage. If you want usage-based insurance, read our USAA SafePilot review.
Geico
Geico offers cheap car insurance for students at around $973 per year. The company also has options for discounts to save on premiums. The Geico good student discount is an excellent way for college students to pay less for coverage. Read our Geico auto insurance review for more information.
Esurance
Esurance is another company that provides competitive prices for car insurance for college students. The average cost for Esurance car insurance for college students is $987 per year.
Unfortunately, Esurance is not available in every state. Along with competitive rates, Esurance offers discounts like good student, on-time payments, and affiliations that could help policyholders save up to 20% on coverage. (For more information, read our “Esurance Auto Insurance Review: Should you buy?“).
Progressive
On average, college students pay just over $1,000 annually for car insurance with Progressive. The company also offers discounts for teen drivers, distant students, and good students. The Progressive Name Your Price tool is another way college students could save money on car insurance coverage. Read our Progressive auto insurance review for more information.
Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual’s annual rate for college students is a bit cheaper than Allstate’s, and the company offers discounts like away at school and good student that could help college students save money on coverage.
Add-ons like rental reimbursement and roadside assistance may help students feel peace of mind on the road. And the company’s user-friendly system for filing claims is a plus for most college students. Read our Liberty Mutual auto insurance review for more information.
State Farm
State Farm’s college student car insurance annual rate is around $1,251. While these rates are not the lowest on the list, the option for add-on coverage like rideshare insurance may make State Farm an excellent choice for college students who drive for companies like Uber or Lyft.
State Farm has discount opportunities like good student, students away at school, and safe driving. These discounts could help college students save a lot on their coverage. Read our State Farm auto insurance review for more information.
Allstate
The average college student’s car insurance rate with Allstate is around $1,268 per year. This premium is higher than the national average. Still, many college students appreciate Allstate’s pay-per-mile coverage, which is especially beneficial for college students who don’t drive much while they’re away at school.
College students can also complete the TeenSMART driver education course to save money on their coverage. Allstate’s excellence in customer service and claims handling, and its mobile app, which allows the policyholder to submit claims via their smartphones, are additional benefits. If you want usage-based insurance, read our Allstate Milewise review.
The Hartford
With rates for college students around $1,293 annually, the Hartford auto insurance offers its policyholders the AARP auto insurance program. In addition, drivers can save money with The Hartford’s good student discount.
Read more: AARP Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford Review: Should you buy in
Who offers the cheapest car insurance rates to college students?
While AAA, Travelers, and USAA occasionally offer cheaper rates, Geico consistently provides affordable car insurance to college drivers.
It is worth noting that Geico’s discount options can help lower your rates and may make it an excellent choice for college students affiliated with particular campus groups.
Which company has the best car insurance discounts for college students?
State Farm’s good student discount helps some college students save as much as 25% on their coverage, and eligibility may apply to many students. To qualify for the good student discount, a college student must have a GPA that’s 3.0 or higher and be enrolled full-time.
Away at school discounts with State Farm help students who don’t drive much save money on their annual premiums. If college students live 100 miles from home or more and leave their cars at home, they are eligible to save a great deal on coverage.
Lastly, the Steer Clear program with State Farm helps drivers under 25 save money by improving their overall driving skills.
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What’s the best car insurance company for college students who don’t drive frequently?
According to Metromile, college students can save money on car insurance coverage if they drive fewer than 12,000 miles per year.
Essentially, students pay for the miles they drive per day, up to 250. So if a college student is driving to campus and leaving the car untouched for days or weeks, they could save a lot.
Unfortunately, Metromile is only available in Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. Read our Metromile user-based auto insurance review for more information on the company.
Read more:
Which car insurance company has the best apps for college drivers?
Allstate’s mobile app allows policyholders to file claims and connect to company representatives instantly. Allstate also has QuickTrip, allowing people to choose places they want to visit and develop the best route.
While Allstate’s mobile apps are helpful and user-friendly, and company agents work around the clock, a car insurance policy with Allstate is typically one of the more expensive options for college students among those we studied.
What’s the cheapest car insurance company for 18-year-olds?
If a college student can stay on their parent or guardian’s policy, Geico is likely the cheapest insurance option for 18-year-olds. Here is a list of the top 10 insurance companies and rates for those brand new adults. (For more information, read our “Buy Cheap Auto Insurance for 18-Year-Olds“)
Annual Full Coverage Teenage Auto Insurance Rates for the Top Insurance Companies
| Insurance Company | 18-Year-Old Male with a Clean Record | 18-Year-Old Female with a Clean Record |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $6,223 | $5,381 |
| American Family | $4,684 | $3,452 |
| Farmers | $7,238 | $6,879 |
| Geico | $3,043 | $2,635 |
| Liberty Mutual | $7,593 | $6,335 |
| Nationwide | $4,646 | $3,632 |
| Progressive | $7,941 | $7,090 |
| State Farm | $3,408 | $2,750 |
| Travelers | $8,750 | $6,271 |
| National Average | $5,947 | $4,936 |
Geico coverage costs around $2,526 for an 18-year-old who is added to their parent or guardian’s policy. But if you have to buy an individual policy, Geico may not be the cheapest option.
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What are the cheapest car insurance companies from 19 to 21 years old?
Drivers will notice a gradual decrease in their rates each year as long as they keep a clean driving record.
On average, the cheapest option for 19-year-old car insurance is with State Farm at around $2,462 per year. Allstate and Geico offer similar rates, so it’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes before making a final decision.
Allstate may be the cheapest option for many 20-year-olds at $2,180 annually. Still, Geico and State Farm offer competitive rates as well.
Geico offers quotes at around $1,695 for 21-year-olds in college. Rates with State Farm and Allstate are significantly more expensive.
To sum up — State Farm, Allstate, and Geico are all great options for young student drivers.
How can college students save money on car insurance?
The most common factor working against college students is their age. As you get older, your car insurance rates will decrease as long as you have a clean driving record.
In the meantime, you can do a few things to save money on your car insurance coverage.
Stay On Your Parent or Guardian’s Policy
If your parent or guardian has a car insurance policy, you can remain on it for cheaper rates. In addition, insurance companies often charge less when a teenager or college student remains on their policy up to age 25.
Moving a significant number of miles away from home for college may mean you have to purchase your own policy, but it’s a good idea to check with your parent or guardian’s provider to be sure before doing so.
Explore Discounts
Plenty of car insurance discounts for students could help you save money on coverage. If you don’t often drive, leave your car parked on campus, get good grades, or take a defensive driving course, you could be eligible for significant discounts on your coverage.
Discounts can help students save up to 20% on their car insurance rates, so speak with a representative from any company you’re considering to see whether you’re eligible for discounts on your car insurance.
Compare Quotes
It’s common to take the first good deal you see on insurance coverage, but if you shop around, you may be able to find cheaper rates and better service with another company.
Before you make any final decisions, compare costs with several companies in your area to learn which company offers the coverage you’re looking for at a rate that works with your budget as a college student.
Auto Insurance for College Students: The Bottom Line
College students will likely pay more for coverage because of their age. Still, they can find affordable rates with certain car insurance companies.
College students who stay on their parent or guardian’s policy, take advantage of discounts, and shop around to compare quotes will save money on their coverage. In addition, as college students age, they’ll pay less for coverage as long as they maintain a clean driving record.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which company offers the best car insurance for college students?
GEICO offers the most competitive rates at around $388 per month, but State Farm provides the most discounts on coverage.
How much does an 18-year-old pay for car insurance?
On average, 18-year-olds pay just under $600 a month for coverage if they are not on a parent or guardian’s policy. But good grades and safe driving can help 18-year-olds get cheaper coverage rates.
Is insurance for college students cheap?
No, college student car insurance is not cheap. Still, there are ways for you to lower your auto insurance rates as a college student.
Can students get discounts on car insurance?
Students can take advantage of several car insurance discounts, like good student, safe driver safety features, affiliation, low mileage, and more. You can speak with a car insurance representative to see how much you could save on coverage with discounts.
What GPA is required for a good student car insurance discount?
Most institutions require college students to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, or a B average, to get a discount for being a good student.
Are there specific auto insurance options available for students?
Yes, there are auto insurance options available specifically for students. Insurance providers may offer various discounts and programs tailored to students, taking into account factors such as good grades, completion of driver’s education courses, or being on the honor roll. It’s advisable to inquire with insurance companies about any specialized student discounts or programs.
What coverage options should students consider for auto insurance?
Students should consider the standard coverage options such as liability coverage, which helps cover damages you may cause to others, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Additionally, comprehensive and collision coverage may be worth considering to protect your own vehicle against damage or theft. It’s important to consult with an insurance agent to determine the coverage options that best suit your needs.
How can I find cheap auto insurance as a student?
To find cheap auto insurance as a student, consider the following steps:
- Shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurance providers.
- Inquire about student discounts and programs offered by insurance companies.
- Maintain a good academic record to potentially qualify for good student discounts.
- Opt for a vehicle with good safety features and a lower cost of repair and replacement.
- Consider raising your deductibles if you can afford higher out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim.
- Seek guidance from an independent insurance agent who can help you navigate the options and find the best coverage at an affordable price.
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Heidi Mertlich
Licensed Insurance Agent
Heidi works with top-rated insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she understands the need ...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
