Best Car Insurance for College Students (2026)
Compare rates, student discounts, and coverage options to find affordable car insurance, whether you stay on your parents’ policy or get your own.
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Written byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Chris SchaferDeputy Managing Editor, News and Marketing Content
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Reviewed byMacKenzie Korris
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MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
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Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Table of contents
When it comes to getting car insurance in college, the right policy for you depends on your situation. Although it’s often more affordable to stay on a parent’s policy, it’s not always a viable solution. Regardless of your situation, shopping around and seeking out discounts can help lower your car insurance costs significantly.
Here’s what you should know about the intricacies of getting car insurance in college and how to find the cheapest rates for your situation.
Quick Facts
Many insurers offer good student discounts to college students, which can lead to savings of 10%–15%.
Many insurers also offer away-at-school discounts to drivers who live more than 100 miles from campus and don’t have a car on campus.
Generally, it’s cheaper for students to remain on their parents’ policy.
Average car insurance cost for college students
College students, like most young drivers, pay more for car insurance than their older counterparts due to limited driving experience.[1] Generally, drivers see their car insurance costs fall over time.
The table below outlines the average car insurance costs for college drivers. But keep in mind that the rate you’ll pay for car insurance under age 25 will vary based on your unique circumstances.
Driver Age  | Average Monthly Quote: On Their Own Policy | Average Monthly Quote: On Parents’ Policy |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | $307 | $233 |
| 19 | $293 | $222 |
| 20 | $281 | $214 |
| 21 | $270 | $205 |
| 22 | $258 | $196 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
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Cheapest car insurance for college students
If you want to find the cheapest car insurance as a college student, you need to shop around. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers gives you the best chance to find the most affordable policy for your situation.
The table below highlights the average car insurance costs for drivers with clean driving records, good credit, and potential student discounts.
The below national rates are estimated rates current as of: Monday, March 9 at 12:00 PM PDT.
Data reviewed by Konstantin Halachev
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|
| COUNTRY Financial | $61 |
| Auto-Owners | $67 |
| USAA | $68 |
| State Farm | $74 |
| NJM | $84 |
| Mile Auto | $94 |
| American Family | $94 |
| Erie | $95 |
| Allstate | $97 |
| Safeco | $98 |
| GEICO | $103 |
| Root | $104 |
| Commonwealth Casualty | $104 |
| Dairyland | $107 |
| National General | $115 |
| The General | $120 |
| Nationwide | $122 |
| Direct Auto | $124 |
| GAINSCO | $124 |
| Bristol West | $124 |
| Travelers | $125 |
| Elephant | $130 |
| Mercury | $130 |
| Farmers | $133 |
| Anchor | $141 |
| Clearcover | $147 |
| Chubb | $153 |
| Plymouth Rock | $157 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $160 |
| CSAA | $167 |
| 21st Century | $171 |
| Liberty Mutual | $182 |
| Shelter | $182 |
| Hugo | $189 |
| State Auto | $199 |
| The Hartford | $222 |
| Amica | $343 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Best car insurance companies for college students
The right car insurance company for you varies based on your situation. But some of the best car insurance companies consistently offer cheap car insurance rates to college students. Here, you can see how rates stack up from some of the nation’s largest insurers.
Insurance Company | Average Cost to Insure a College Student Per Month |
|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $183 |
| State Farm | $221 |
| GEICO | $250 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
Auto-Owners: Best for affordable coverage for college students
| User Reviews | 4.3 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.2 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $47/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $83/mo |
4.3
Best choiceBased on 323 verified driver reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Auto-Owners
Customers appreciate the friendly service and quick claims process but dislike the constant rate increases and perceived inflexibility in pricing.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cheap rates
Senior drivers
Ample discounts
How drivers feel about Auto-Owners
Customers appreciate the friendly service and quick claims process but dislike the constant rate increases and perceived inflexibility in pricing.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Cheap rates
Senior drivers
Ample discounts
Showing recent national reviews - See all 148 Auto-Owners reviews
Darryl
Verified Review
Insurance Shopping
Reviewed in Missouri on March 22, 2026
Good, but I've never had a claim with them on this vehicle, and the rate has more than doubled. That's the reason for finding a cheaper policy.
Norberto
Verified Review
Excellent
Reviewed in Florida on March 21, 2026
Definitely not the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Wayne
Verified Review
Cost too much for someone who never had a claim
Reviewed in Florida on March 2, 2026
Never had a claim.
…
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
654NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.46A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++Why we picked this company
Auto-Owners offers some of the most affordable coverage for teen drivers and college students. In addition to cheap rates, it also offers ample discounts. Some discounts are specifically for students, like a good student discount, an away-at-school discount, and a teen driver monitoring discount.
Pros
Above-average customer satisfaction
48,000 agents across the country
Extensive discounts
Cons
Available in only 26 states
Must finalize insurance quote with agent
Poor Trustpilot ratings
State Farm: Best for discount opportunities
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $55/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $107/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 16,576 verified driver reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about State Farm
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
How drivers feel about State Farm
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Customer service
Competitive rates
Discounts for safe drivers
Showing recent national reviews - See all 7,303 State Farm reviews
Dale
Verified Review
State Farm Insurance
Reviewed in New York on March 31, 2026
I would tell people to stay away from State Farm. I have a good, clean history of driving with no homeowners claims, and it seems like my premiums went up every six months. My premiums have increased by over $300 in the last year or so.
Harriett
Verified Review
Coverage Issues
Reviewed in South Carolina on March 31, 2026
They claim you don't have the coverages you paid for when you're in an accident. They like to say that full coverage isn't a thing, yet when making the policy, it is.
Ben
Verified Review
XXX
Reviewed in Oregon on March 31, 2026
I have received many quotes from others, and no one has been better.
…
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
657NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.84A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++Why we picked this company
State Farm offers a range of discounts for students and their families. A full-time student can save up to 25% for earning good grades and qualify for a “student away at school” discount if they move to school and use the vehicle only during vacations and holidays.
Additionally, young drivers can earn discounts by participating in the Steer Clear education and usage-based insurance program and taking driver’s ed classes and a defensive driving course.
Pros
Above-average customer satisfaction
Many discounts
Rideshare insurance available
Cons
Poor Trustpilot ratings
No gap insurance
Not always the most affordable insurer for college students
GEICO: Best for digital experience
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.2 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $86/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $142/mo |
3.9
A solid optionBased on 16,832 verified driver reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
How drivers feel about GEICO
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Teen drivers
Cheap rates
Accident forgiveness
Showing recent national reviews - See all 7,540 GEICO reviews
Andrew
Verified Review
Treat your long-time customers right
Reviewed in Florida on March 31, 2026
They are too expensive after being with them for almost 6 years.
Jimmie
Verified Review
Great service, but too expensive
Reviewed in New York on March 31, 2026
Geico is great, but I am paying as much for insurance as I am for my car loan payment.
Robert
Verified Review
Geico Raised Rates When I Moved
Reviewed in Utah on March 31, 2026
I don't have many interactions with insurance except to pay them. Geico just made themselves uncompetitive.
…
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
637NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.59A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++Why we picked this company
GEICO offers a highly rated mobile app that makes it easy for drivers to pay bills, get a digital ID card, call for 24/7 roadside assistance, file claims, and more. For students comfortable navigating paperwork with a smartphone, it’s an ideal choice.
Students with a B average or better can snag a good student discount through GEICO. Plus, students may qualify for savings through alumni or university organizations.
Pros
Highly rated mobile app
Available in all 50 states
A+ AM Best rating
Cons
Poor Trustpilot ratings
Below-average customer satisfaction
May not have the cheapest rates for college students
Should college students stay on their parents’ insurance?
It’s generally more affordable for you to remain on your parents’ policy, largely due to multi-car discounts and shared coverage.
This option is ideal if you’re living at home and driving a car in your parents’ name or living at school without a car you drive regularly.
But if you don’t live with your parents, don’t own a car in your name, or have changed your primary address to somewhere other than your parents’ house, then it’s usually not possible to remain on the family car insurance policy. If you move to a new state, it’s even more likely you’ll need to get your own policy.
The table below explores some common situations college students face and highlights where you’ll generally find the most affordable car insurance.
Situation | Car Insurance Policy Options |
|---|---|
| Living at home | Staying on your parents’ policy is typically the cheapest option. |
| On-campus with car | Staying on your parents’ policy is typically the cheapest option. But if you’ve changed your permanent address, then you might need your own policy. |
| Out of state | Moving across state lines often means you’ll need a separate car insurance policy. |
| No car at school | If you aren’t driving at all, then removing yourself from your parents’ policy is often the best option. Since you aren’t driving, you won’t need your own policy. |
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College student car insurance discounts
If you qualify for a car insurance discount, the savings can add up quickly.[2] That’s especially true if you’re able to tap into multiple discount opportunities. For example, earning a good student discount and completing a defensive driving course could significantly lower your car insurance costs.
The table below highlights the most common car insurance discounts available for college students.
Discount Name | Eligibility Criteria | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Good student | Maintain a B average or higher as a high school or college student | 10%–15% |
| Away at school | Live on a college campus at least 100 miles from home without access to a vehicle | Not listed |
| Defensive driving course completion | Complete an acceptable driver’s education course and meet other insurer requirements | 5% |
| Telematics/usage-based programs | Meet or exceed the safe driving habits required by a telematics program | 10%–30% |
| Low-mileage | Maintain a limited mileage during your policy term | Not listed |
| Multi-car discounts | Insure multiple cars under one policy | 7%–25% |
| Good driver | Maintain a clean driving record with no incidents, such as an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, or moving violation, for a set period of time | 22% |
Car insurance for college students FAQs
If you have questions about car insurance for college student drivers, the following answers may help.
Can you stay on your parents’ car insurance in college?
In some cases, you can stay on your parents’ car insurance policy while you’re in college. But in other instances, you may need to get your own car insurance policy, especially if you move across state lines.
What is a good student discount for car insurance?
Many auto insurance companies offer good student discounts that reward an academic performance of B or better. Every insurer has its own rules on what grades qualify a driver for a good student discount.
How does the away-at-school discount work?
If you go to college and leave your vehicle at home, your parents may be able to take advantage of the away-at-school discount. This discount reflects the lower level of risk to the insurer for a vehicle that won’t be driven as much.
Do you need car insurance if you don’t have a car at college?
If you aren’t bringing a car to college and don’t have one at home, you may not need car insurance unless you plan to drive another vehicle. But if you’re leaving a vehicle at home, someone should maintain insurance coverage on the vehicle.[3]
How much is car insurance for a 19-year-old college student?
Teenage drivers across the nation pay an average of $331 for a full-coverage car insurance policy, according to Insurify data.
When should you get your own car insurance policy?
Although there isn’t an age limit on how long you can stay on your parents’ car insurance policy, it’s usually a good idea to get your own policy if you buy or lease a car in your name or if you no longer use your parents’ address as a permanent residence.
Is car insurance cheaper for college students with good grades?
Sometimes. Many car insurance companies offer a discount to college students with good grades.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
- Texas Department of Insurance. "What insurance do college students need?."
)
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Chris SchaferDeputy Managing Editor, News and Marketing Content
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in
MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.