Best Auto Insurance for a Student Away at College in 2025 (Big Savings With These 8 Companies)

Young drivers’ high-risk status can lead to inflated premiums for inexperienced drivers’ vehicles, but the best car insurance for college students helps keep rates more affordable.

You can read more about car insurance for a college student in our auto insurance for drivers under 25 years old guide.

If you are also looking for insurance for college students, enter your ZIP code above to begin comparison shopping today for cheap student car insurance.

College Student Auto Insurance Rates

When students are attending school far away from their childhood home, there still may be a need for auto insurance coverage. It all depends on if the student takes a car with them or if they have regular access to other vehicles to commute to school or work.

Take a look at the average rates below to see what companies offer the cheapest car insurance for college students.

You should always keep students on your insurance if they are regularly driving to college. You know you have to insure a car that they take with them, but you should also have that barrier of protection if the student will be borrowing or renting cars.

It’s better to pay for good car insurance for students than to face an uninsured loss where you could lose everything.

Coverage for a College Student Still on Your Policy

You might be surprised at how many different scenarios where your teen might need coverage to drive a car when they are away. You can’t keep an eye on your college student all the time, so you don’t truly know if they will be driving.

Read More: Auto Insurance for Different Types of Drivers

As much as you’d like to trust your children, it’s always possible that they are doing things they aren’t telling you. Even though the intention is innocent, if something happens while they are driving a non-owned car, that innocent joyride can turn into a nightmare.

Here are scenarios where your teen will be covered if you keep them on your policy:

• They drive a friend’s car while they are away at school
• They have to drive someone else’s car because of an emergency near the campus
• They return home and drive their vehicles or their friends’ vehicles in your local area

As long as your college student hasn’t taken a family car to school, they can stay on your auto insurance policy. This will ensure they have good car insurance for college students when driving a car.

Reasons to Include a Student Away at College on Your Policy

If you were lucky enough to convince your student to attend a college in your local area, you don’t have to worry about saying the emotional goodbyes. Some young adults want to move as far away from home as possible to enjoy their newfound independence, and others understand just how much it costs to move to a new state or city.

As long as your child is living in your home while they are attending a local college or university, you should keep him or her on your auto insurance just like they were when they were in high school. If they move away, but don’t have a car, you can still keep them on your auto insurance policy as your home is still their primary address.

You have to take a step back and assess the whole situation so that you can fully comprehend why it’s so important to approach the insurance topic the right way.

If you’re paying for room and board or you’re helping your child pay for college tuition, they are financially dependent on you, and this can work against you if there’s ever an accident.

When parents make the mistake of removing their children too soon, they won’t have any liability protection to pay for claims made by other drivers. They also won’t be entitled to having the insurance company cover the cost of legal defense.

Discounts Available for Students Who Go Away to College

A student who is attending school miles and miles away from you without their car isn’t quite the same type of risk as a student who still lives with you. They may still be a risk, but they aren’t exposed to the same level of risk as a student who has regular access to a vehicle and who can come and go as they please.

Most auto insurance carriers offer their customers the option to take advantage of a student away at school discount when their student is attending full-time school at least 100 miles from their primary residence.

For the student to qualify for the savings, they must be 24 or younger. You may have to provide proof of their attendance at a school far away to get car insurance with a student discount. Some other student discounts on car insurance include:

Students Away at College Auto Insurance Discounts

Insurance Company	Anti-Theft	Bundling	Good Student	Multi-Car	Safe Driver
	10%	25%	22%	25%	18%
	25%	25%	15%	25%	15%
	35%	25%	12%	25%	20%
	5%	20%	18%	20%	12%
	25%	10%	10%	12%	10%
	15%	17%	35%	20%	20%
	15%	13%	8%	8%	17%
	15%	10%	10%	10%	10%

Ask your insurance agent if they offer insurance discounts to help get the cheapest student car insurance.

Both local and distant students can qualify for Good Student Discounts as long as they earn a 3.0 or higher and they are attending college full-time.

Discounts like the Progressive good student discount and the Geico student discount for getting good grades are a great incentive for your student to do well in school and score cheap auto insurance for college students.

Read More: How to Get a Good Student Auto Insurance Discount

Along with discounts for student drivers, you can also check into discounts for safe drivers if the student has a good driving record. If they completed driver education, the student may be eligible for a driver training discount, making it even easier to get cheap auto insurance for students.

Let your college student stay on your policy for as long as they are dependent on you. When they become independent, they can start to shop for their policy.

Start comparison shopping for insurance for college students today to find an auto insurance company near you that offers car insurance discounts for students. Find cheap car insurance for students today by entering your ZIP in our free quote tool.

8 Best Insurance Companies for a Student Away at College

We’ve ranked the best companies for student car insurance plans below. Each one offers great car insurance for college students away from home, and we’re sharing the pros and cons of each to help you make the right choice.

#1 – State Farm: Top Pick Overall

Pros

• Personalized Service: State Farm’s extensive network of agents provides college students with personalized service and assistance. Learn more in our State Farm auto insurance review.
• Robust Mobile App: State Farm’s mobile app allows college students to access policy information and file claims conveniently.
• Educational Resources: State Farm offers educational resources to help customers better understand their college student auto insurance options.

Cons

• Premiums May Be Higher: State Farm’s focus on personalized service may come with slightly higher premiums.
• Limited Online Quotes: State Farm’s online quoting system may not be as user-friendly as some competitors.

#2 – Geico: Ideal for Affordability and Online Convenience

Pros

• User-Friendly: Geico’s intuitive online tools and mobile app make it easy to manage auto insurance for students.
• Quick Claims Process: Geico is known for its streamlined claims process, ensuring college students receive prompt assistance.
• Coverage Options: Geico provides a range of coverage options, allowing college students to customize their policies, which you can learn more in our Geico auto insurance review.

Cons

• Limited Agent Interaction: Geico’s emphasis on online services may not be suitable for college students who prefer face-to-face interactions with agents.
• May Not be Cheapest for All Drivers: While competitive, Geico’s college student car insurance rates may not be the lowest for every college student.

#3 – Progressive: Strong for Competitive Rates and Safe Driving Rewards

Pros

• Competitive Rates: Progressive’s emphasis on competitive rates makes it an attractive option for college students.
• Name Your Price Tool: Progressive’s unique tool allows college students to set their budget and find a policy that fits within that range.
• Customer Service Reputation: Progressive is known for its commitment to customer service. You can learn more in our Progressive auto insurance review.

Cons

• Customer Experiences May Vary: While generally strong, some individuals may have varying customer service experiences.
• Fewer Local Agents: Progressive may have fewer local agents compared to some traditional insurance companies.

#4 – Allstate: Well-suited for Extensive Agent Network

Pros

• Claim Satisfaction Guarantee: Allstate guarantees that customers will be satisfied with their claims experience, adding an extra layer of assurance.
• Extensive Network of Agents: Allstate’s broad network of agents ensures college students have easy access to in-person assistance.
• Discounts for Safety Features: Allstate may offer discounts for vehicles equipped with safety features. You can learn more about Allstate’s discounts in our Allstate auto insurance review.

Cons

• Higher Premiums: Allstate’s premium rates may be on the higher side for some college students, so it may not be the best for cheap insurance for students.
• Fewer Discounts: While providing discounts, Allstate may not have as many discount options as some competitors.

#5 – Nationwide: Great for Vanishing Deductible and Bundle Discounts

Pros

• Nationwide On Your Side Review: Nationwide offers a personalized insurance review to help college students identify potential coverage gaps.
• Bundle Discounts: College students can benefit from Nationwide’s discounts when bundling multiple policies.
• Good Student Discount: Nationwide may provide discounts for college students with good academic standing. You can find more discount options in our Nationwide auto insurance review.

Cons

• Higher Premiums: Nationwide’s premiums for auto insurance for college students may be relatively higher compared to other providers.
• Fewer Safe Driver Discounts: While offering discounts, Nationwide may not have as many options specifically for safe driving habits.

#6 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Affinity Discounts and Coverage Options

Pros

• Various Coverage Options: Liberty Mutual provides a wide range of coverage options, allowing college students to tailor their policies. You can learn more in our Liberty Mutual auto insurance review.
• Online Policy Tools: Liberty Mutual’s online tools make it easy for college students to manage their policies and make updates.
• Customer Service Reputation: Liberty Mutual is recognized for its strong customer service.

Cons

• Rates Not as Competitive: While strong in service, Liberty Mutual’s student car insurance quotes may not be the most competitive in certain regions.
• Fewer Unique Discounts: Liberty Mutual may not have as many specialized discounts as some other insurers.

#7 – USAA: Exceptional Customer Service and Coverage for Military Families

Pros

• Excellent Customer Service: USAA’s reputation for outstanding customer service ensures that college students receive top-notch assistance.
• Members-Only Benefits: USAA offers exclusive benefits for its members, enhancing the overall value for college students. You can learn more about USAA’s benefits in our USAA auto insurance review.
• Financial Stability: USAA’s financial stability provides college students with confidence in the company’s ability to meet its obligations.

Cons

• Membership Eligibility Restrictions: USAA is limited to military members and their families, potentially excluding some college students.
• Fewer Physical Branches: USAA’s limited number of physical branches may be a disadvantage for college students who prefer in-person interactions.

#8 – Travelers: Well-suited for Comprehensive Coverage

Pros

• Educational Resources: Travelers provides educational resources to help college students understand their insurance options.
• Customizable Coverage Options: College students can tailor their policies with Travelers to meet their specific needs. You can learn more in our Travelers auto insurance review.
• Strong Financial Stability: Travelers’ financial stability provides assurance to college students regarding the company’s reliability.

Cons

• Fewer Local Agents: Travelers may have fewer local agents compared to some traditional insurance companies.
• Rates Vary by Location: Travelers’ rates may vary, and customers should compare car insurance quotes for students to ensure competitive pricing.