Best Car Insurance for College Students
Geico, USAA, and Nationwide offer the best car insurance rates for college students. Still, Progressive and State Farm have better discounts, especially for students attending school more than 100 miles away from home. You can get the lowest rates possible when you stack multiple discounts, including good student and safe driver discounts. Compare quotes from at least three different companies to see which offers the best car insurance for college students.
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Michael Vereecke
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Michael Vereecke is the president of Customers First Insurance Group. He has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. He also carries a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) Designation, providing him the expertise to spot holes in businesses’ coverage. Since 2009, he has worked with many insurance providers, giving him unique insight into the insurance market, differences in ...
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
UPDATED: Jan 9, 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 car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our car insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different car 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 car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 9, 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 car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our car insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different car 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
- College students pay three times more for coverage than drivers aged 25-35
- Geico, USAA, and Nationwide offer the best car insurance for 18-year-olds
- College students can lower their car insurance rates by qualifying for good student discounts
Are you looking for affordable car insurance for college students? Young drivers pay more on average for coverage, but you can still find cheap rates when you ask about auto insurance discounts.
Overall, Geico, USAA, and Nationwide offer the best car insurance for 18-year-olds, but Progressive and State Farm offer better student drivers’ discounts. Start comparison shopping online if you’re not sure which car insurance company is right for you. Our guide will tell you everything you need to know about car insurance student discounts, and which companies offer cheap insurance for college students.
Keep reading to compare rates and discounts from the top student car insurance companies. We’ll help you find the most affordable car insurance quotes in your area.
Which company offers the cheapest car insurance for college students?
Car insurance rates vary by age and gender. On average, younger drivers pay more for car insurance than older drivers. Take a look at this table to see how much more 17-year-old drivers pay than a 25- or 35-year old driver:
Average Car Insurance Rates by Age, Gender, and Marital Status
Age, Gender, Marital Status Average Car Insurance Rates
Single 17-year-old male $9,028
Single 17-year-old female $7,559
Single 25-year-old male $2,889
Single 25-year-old female $2,703
Married 35-year-old male $2,449
Married 35-year-old female $2,446
Married 60-year-old male $2,308
Married 60-year-old female $2,243
On average, 17-year-olds pay $7,000 more per year for car insurance. College students aren’t much older, so first- and second-year students could be looking at car insurance rates like these.
However, these are just averages. Let’s take a closer look at what individual car insurance companies charge student drivers for coverage. Below you’ll find student auto insurance rates and discounts with the top companies in the country:
Car Insurance Company Annual Car Insurance Rates Good Student Discount
Geico $4,656 15%
USAA $5,100 3%
Nationwide $5,736 10%
State Farm $6,636 25%
Progressive $7,020 10%
AAA $9,504 14%
Allstate $10,464 20%
Travelers $10,548 8%
Geico offers the cheapest insurance for college students. Geico also offers students discounts for good grades, good driving records, and membership in university organizations, including Greek life and honor societies. Read our Geico car insurance review to learn more.
However, Geico’s discount amount is less than drivers get with State Farm or Liberty Mutual. That’s why it’s important to comparison shop and read the reviews of multiple companies to see which offers the best rates for your family.
How To Qualify For Student Discounts on Car Insurance
The easiest way to get the best rates on insurance for students is with car insurance discounts. Before buying a policy or adding a student to your existing policy, ask about all the discounts you qualify for.
The most common discounts are student discounts, but each insurance company will have different requirements, including limiting discounts to drivers under 25 years. Other requirements include:
- Maintaining a GPA of “B” (3.0) or higher
- Enrolling as a full-time student
- Having a good driving record
Some companies will vary on these requirements. For example, all student drivers must complete the State Farm Steer Clear program, which includes a five-course driving lesson. Allstate requires something similar, called teenSMART. Read our Allstate vs. State Farm review to learn more about the two companies.
Other insurers have more specific requirements. While Allstate limits discounts to students who go to school within 100 miles of where the insured vehicle is garaged, Progressive offers an additional discount to drivers who live further than 100 miles away.
It can pay to shop around with multiple companies to see which offers the best rates and discounts. Read our Allstate vs. Progressive review to learn more.
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How can college students get cheap car insurance?
Unfortunately, insurance companies assume young drivers cause the most accidents. Due to this perceived risk, young drivers pay the highest rates. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find affordable car insurance for college students.
For example, college students can adjust their deductibles to get more affordable car insurance. Driving an older vehicle will also make students look less risky to insurance companies. Parking in a garage while at school can also lower rates.
Keeping a college student on a parent’s policy or adding them to a roommate’s policy can get cheaper rates. Rates for all drivers will increase slightly to compensate for the risk of the younger driver, but rates will still be cheaper than an individual policy.
What other car insurance discounts do students qualify for?
If college students maintain good grades and a good driving record, they can earn discounts of up to 20%. In addition, student drivers often qualify for multiple discounts, which can be applied for even cheaper rates.
Stacking discounts is the easiest way for college students to save money on car insurance.
Students can qualify for multiple discounts by being enrolled in high school, summer school, community college, or university. Take a look at the table below to see how many student discounts are available by insurer:
Good Student Discounts by Company for 19-Year-Old Drivers
Company Good Student Discount Distant Student Discount Students & Alumni Discount Young Driver Discount
21st Century Yes No No Yes
AAA Yes Yes No No
Allstate Yes – 20% Yes – 35% No No
American Family Yes Yes Yes – University of Wisconsin No
Ameriprise Yes Yes No No
Amica Yes – 10% Yes No No
Country Financial Yes – 25%, B average or better No No Yes – 10%
Esurance Yes – 10% No Yes – 15%, PAC 12 schools No
Farmers Yes Yes No No
Geico Yes – 15% Yes Yes No
Liberty Mutual Yes – 22.5% No Yes – 10%; 5% for new graduates Yes – 5% for newly licensed
MetLife Yes – 15%, Full-time, under 25, single No Yes No
Nationwide Yes – 10%, 15 to 24 years old Yes – 10% Yes – 7%, Member of partner businesses, unions, schools, or associations No
Progressive Yes – 21 or younger Yes – Age 22 or younger No Yes – 18 or younger
Safe Auto Yes – 10%, 25 or younger in GA No No No
Safeco Yes – 15%, B average or better; Drops 1% each year Yes – 15% No Yes
State Farm Yes – Up to 25% until age 25 Yes – Under age 25, 100+ miles away No No
The General Yes – 8% No No No
The Hanover Yes – 5%, High school students who are accident & ticket free Yes – 5% No No
The Hartford Yes – 3% Yes – 3% No No
Travelers Yes – 8%, Full-time, 16 to 25 years old, B average or better Yes – 7%, 25 and under, 100+ miles away No No
USAA Yes – 3%, 3.0+ GPA; lasts 3 years; Not available in HI, NC, or NY Yes – 100+ miles away No Yes – $5 to $50 gift card for 15 to 19-year-olds w/good driving behavior who complete 100-hr program
If students qualify, they can stack all four of these discounts to get the lowest rates possible. The table below lists all available discounts with most major insurance companies:
Car Insurance Discounts Offered by Top Companies
Discount Type Allstate American Family Farmers Geico Liberty Mutual Nationwide Progressive State Farm Travelers USAA
Adaptive Cruise Control x x x
Adaptive Headlights x x x x
Anti-lock Brakes x x x x x x x x x x
Anti-Theft x x x x x x x x x x
Claim Free x x x x x x x x x x
Continuous Coverage x x x x x x
Daytime Running Lights x x x x x x x x x
Defensive Driver x x x x x x x x x x
Distant Student x x x x x x x x x
Driver's Ed x x x x x x x x x
Driving Device/App x x x x x x x x x
Early Signing x x x x x x x x
Electronic Stability Control x x x x x x
Emergency Deployment x
Family Legacy x x x x
Family Plan x x x
Farm Vehicle x x x
Federal Employee x x x
Forward Collision Warning x x x
Full Payment x x x x x x x
Further Education x x x x
Garaging/Storing x x x
Good Credit x x x
Good Student x x x x x x x x x x
Green Vehicle x x x x
Homeowner x x x x x x x
Lane Departure Warning x x x
Life Insurance x x
Low Mileage x x x x x x x x x x
Loyalty x x x x x
Married x x x x x
Membership/Group x x x x
Military x x x x x x
Military Garaging x
Multiple Policies x x x x x x x x x x
Multiple Vehicles x x x x x x x x x
New Address x
New Customer/New Plan x
New Graduate x
Newer Vehicle x x x x x x x x
Newly Licensed x
Newlyweds x
Occasional Operator x
Occupation x x x x x x
On Time Payments x x
Online Shopper x
Paperless Documents x x x x x
Paperless/Auto Billing x x x x x x x x x
Passive Restraint x x x x x x x x x x
Recent Retirees x
Safe Driver x x x x x x x x x
Seat Belt Use x
Senior Driver x x x
Stable Residence x x
Students & Alumni x x x x
Switching Provider x x x x
Utility Vehicle x x x
Vehicle Recovery x x x x x x x x x x
VIN Etching x x x x x x
Volunteer x
Young Driver x x x
Before you buy car insurance for college students or anyone else, always ask about the discounts available. Some companies automatically apply discounts, others don’t, so it’s always good practice to ask just in case.
Case Studies: Best Car Insurance for College Students
Case Study 1: Geico – Affordable Coverage for College Students
Sarah is a college student who recently got her driver’s license and is looking for car insurance. She wants an affordable option that provides adequate coverage. After comparing quotes from different insurance companies, Sarah decides to go with Geico.
Geico offers competitive rates for college students and provides various discounts, including good student discounts and safe driving discounts. With Geico, Sarah can save money while still having the coverage she needs as a new driver.
Case Study 2: USAA – Tailored Coverage for Military College Students
John is a college student and also a member of a military family. He needs car insurance that understands his unique situation as a military college student. After researching different options, John chooses USAA for his car insurance.
USAA offers special coverage tailored to military members and their families. They provide competitive rates, excellent customer service, and discounts for good student performance and safe driving habits. With USAA, John feels confident that his car insurance needs are well taken care of while he focuses on his studies and military obligations.
Case Study 3: Nationwide – Comprehensive Coverage for College Students
Emily is a college student who recently purchased a new car and wants comprehensive coverage to protect her investment. After exploring her options, Emily selects Nationwide as her car insurance provider.
Nationwide offers attractive car insurance rates for college students and provides comprehensive coverage options. They also offer discounts for good grades and safe driving, which further lowers Emily’s premiums. With Nationwide, Emily can drive with peace of mind, knowing that her car is protected in various scenarios, including accidents, theft, and natural disasters.
Case Study 4: Progressive – Flexibility for College Students Away from Home
Mark is a college student who attends school more than 100 miles away from his hometown. He needs car insurance that caters to his situation as a student living away from home. Mark decides to go with Progressive as his car insurance provider.
Progressive offers affordable rates and generous discounts for student drivers attending school far from home. They also provide additional discounts for completing defensive driving courses, which Mark plans to take during his summer break. With Progressive, Mark has the flexibility and coverage he needs as a college student living away from home.
Case Study 5: State Farm – Personalized Service and Programs for College Students
Alex is a college student who wants car insurance that offers personalized service and programs to help young drivers improve their skills. After researching different insurance companies, Alex chooses State Farm.
State Farm provides competitive rates for college students and offers special programs like Steer Clear and teenSMART. These programs help young drivers enhance their driving skills and qualify for additional savings. With State Farm, Alex not only receives reliable coverage but also benefits from the personalized service and resources that cater to the needs of college students.
How to Buy the Best Car Insurance for College Students
While Geico offers the most competitive rates for young drivers, the best insurance for college students depends on your budget and your needs.
If a student lives on campus and is not driving, it will be cheaper to keep them on an existing policy as a named driver. However, if students plan on living independently off campus, they’ll need an individual policy.
Geico, USAA, and Nationwide offer the best car insurance rates for college students, but Progressive and State Farm have better discounts, especially for students attending school more than 100 miles away from home.
Compare quotes from these companies and more, and always ask about discounts before you buy car insurance or add a college student to an existing policy.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best car insurance for college students?
When it comes to finding the best car insurance for college students, there are several factors to consider. Here are four tips to help you find the right coverage:
- Look for discounts: Many car insurance companies offer discounts for good grades, safe driving, and other factors that may apply to college students.
- Consider a higher deductible: A higher deductible can lower your monthly premiums, but it also means you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you get into an accident.
- Compare rates: Shop around and compare rates from different insurance companies to find the best deal for your needs.
- Check coverage limits: Make sure the policy you choose provides enough coverage for your needs, including liability coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage.
Some popular car insurance companies for college students includes:
- Geico
- State Farm
- Allstate
- Progressive
However, the best car insurance for you will depend on your individual needs and circumstances. Consider getting quotes from several different companies to compare prices and coverage options.
What factors affect car insurance rates for college students?
Car insurance rates for college students are determined by factors such as age, gender, location, driving history, type of car, and the type of coverage chosen.
What discounts are available for college students on car insurance?
Common discounts available for college students on car insurance include good student discounts, safe driving discounts, low mileage discounts, and discounts for completing a defensive driving course. Membership in university organizations like Greek life and honor societies can also earn students discounts.
How can I get affordable car insurance as a college student?
To get affordable car insurance as a college student, ask about auto insurance discounts, such as good student discounts, and comparison shop between providers. Additionally, choose a car with a low insurance cost, maintain a good driving record, and consider opting for a higher deductible to lower your premiums.
What is the average cost of car insurance for college students?
On average, college students pay $2,700 to $5,000 annually for car insurance. However, the cost varies depending on the student’s age, gender, location, driving record, type of car, and the type of coverage chosen.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Michael Vereecke
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Michael Vereecke is the president of Customers First Insurance Group. He has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. He also carries a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) Designation, providing him the expertise to spot holes in businesses’ coverage. Since 2009, he has worked with many insurance providers, giving him unique insight into the insurance market, differences in ...
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.