How to Get Good Student Car Insurance Discounts (2023)

Studying pays off in more ways than one when it comes to car insurance costs. As anyone who’s purchased insurance products in their teens and 20s knows, young drivers face the highest costs for car insurance. But with the good student discounts that many car insurance companies offer, students can save money and stay on the road affordably.

The easiest way to find a cheap car insurance policy is to do your own car insurance comparison. Comparing car insurance quotes helps you make sure you’re getting the most savings you can for comparable policies.

Why insurance premiums are so high for young drivers

Young drivers — especially those who have just started driving — almost always pay higher car insurance rates than older drivers do. That’s because young drivers have less driving experience, which translates into a higher risk of getting into an accident and filing a car insurance claim.

However, there are a few car insurance discounts that are offered specifically to students and other young drivers. A good student discount is one of them. Here’s how it works.

How good grades show you’re a safe driver

Car insurance costs are determined by risk. The insurance company determines how likely you are to file a claim and then calculates your premiums accordingly.

A good student discount assumes that if you’re responsible with your studies, especially if you’ve achieved placement on the honor roll or dean’s List, you’re more likely to be responsible behind the wheel, too. As a result, you’ll pay lower premiums than someone with poor grades. Some of the most common requirements for earning a good student discount include:

• Age: Drivers aged 16 to 25 years old (some car insurance companies cut off this discount at 24 instead)

• Marital status: Single

• Status: Full-time high school, college, or homeschooling student

• Grades: A B average, 3.0 GPA, or top 20 percent in your class, or ranking in the top 20 percent on the ACT, SAT, PSAT, TAP, PACT, California Achievement Test, or the Iowa Test of Basic Skills

How to get the discount

The car insurance company will want proof that you’re enrolled full-time and getting good grades. This will usually be a copy of your most recent high school or college report card or a transcript showing your GPA. The requirements vary between different insurance companies, so ask your insurer what they need.

Using a standardized test score instead? An official printout of your score and percentile should serve as solid proof.

Do you qualify for other discounts?

A good student discount isn’t the only way for full-time students to save on car insurance. One of the easiest ways is to just share your parents’ policy instead of getting your own. This can save you hundreds of dollars.

Another simple thing you can do is take driver training. Many insurance companies have safe driving courses for teens and young adults — they expand on what you covered in driver’s education. Maintain a safe driving record to keep the discounts coming.

Going out of state for school? If you’re leaving your car behind, you can qualify for an away at school discount from many insurers, which will give you some additional savings. These discounts recognize that you’re not going to drive much if you’re in another state for most of the year, making you a lower risk.

More discounts for students

Many students join groups at school which can result in additional discounts. Talk to an insurance agent about whether your group affiliations can get you any more savings. Some of the most common ones include:

• Sorority, fraternity, and honors society discounts: Some insurers, like GEICO, will give you a discount if you’re a member of certain fraternities, sororities, or honors societies. Your fraternity or sorority may also have information about applying for these discounts.

• University and alumni discounts: Policyholders may be able to get a discount just for going to certain schools or being an alum of one. Not every university participates, though, so check with your insurance company or the university’s administrative office to see if this is an option for you.

• Military discounts: Many insurance companies give discounts to active and reserve military personnel. If you served, you may be able to get some car insurance discounts when you return to civilian life.

Get maximum driver discounts

Being a student is already expensive enough. It might seem impossible to save, but with auto insurance discounts and smart comparison-shopping, you too can find an affordable policy hassle-free. Start with an easy car insurance quote comparison to kickstart the savings. It only takes a few minutes — just enter some basic information and see the savings roll in!