Best Car Insurance for College Students in Michigan (2025)

Whether your child becomes a Spartan, a Wolverine, or attends a smaller Michigan college, you’ll want to ensure they have the car insurance they need before they leave for school.

It’s often best for college students to remain on their parents’ car insurance policy while attending school.^[1] Doing so prevents any lapse in coverage and may lead to discounts.

Before your young adult heads off to college, compare quotes from several insurance companies to ensure they have the proper coverage.

Best car insurance for college students in Michigan

To ensure you choose the best car insurance company for your college student, compare at least a few companies. State Farm, Nationwide, and GEICO are good places to start, as each insurer offers generous discounts, high customer service ratings, and plenty of coverage options.

State Farm: Best for teens on their parents’ policy

teens on their parents’ policy

Compare Quotes

User Reviews	4.1 6,071 reviews
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.	$130/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.	$222/mo

Hide Details

Driver Reviews

4.1

Best choiceBased on 11,349 verified guest 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

Reviews (6,071)

Ethline

Verified Review

Insurance Increase

Reviewed in Maryland on July 2025

My only problem with State Farm is the rising cost of my insurance. I've been with them for about 35 years, and my husband had one accident last year, causing the premiums to increase by 100%. What's that about? They've just increased mine as well.

Deidre

Verified Review

Florida Insurance Cost Woes

Reviewed in Florida on July 2025

It seems to be the best price here in Florida. Customer service is lacking. There's no agent to talk to. When we bought the policy, we had an agent who was okay, but he left, and now it is a house account. We would prefer a broker to find us the best rate, but alas, that is lacking in Florida. We feel frustrated and alone in trying to find the best rate. We had a better deal in Arizona.

Jim

Verified Review

Left wanting more for my money.

Reviewed in Ohio on July 2025

They and others are too expensive. I have one homeowner's claim in 37 years of home ownership and still pay too much.

Previous

1234…25

NextSee all State Farm reviews

Our Advice

JD Power

J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.

657

NAIC Index

Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.

0.84

A.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

If you already have insurance with State Farm, adding your teen to your existing policy can save you money compared to purchasing a separate policy through another insurer.

State Farm offers several discounts, including a good student discount of up to 25%, a driver training discount, and a discount for students who leave their cars at home while attending school. Your teen may also qualify for reduced rates if their vehicle has certain safety features.

Pros

• High rates of customer satisfaction

• Rideshare insurance available

• Savings for bundling auto with home, renters, condo, or life insurance

Cons

• No gap insurance offering

• May not be the cheapest choice for drivers with violations

• Accident forgiveness limited to longtime customers with clean driving records

Nationwide: Best for customer service

customer service

Compare Quotes

User Reviews	4.3 487 reviews
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 /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.	$127/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.	$218/mo

Show Details

Driver Reviews

4.3

Best choiceBased on 870 verified guest reviews and ratings

How drivers feel about Nationwide

Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best For

Usage-based savings

Accident forgiveness

Recreational vehicle coverage

How drivers feel about Nationwide

Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify

Best For

Usage-based savings

Accident forgiveness

Recreational vehicle coverage

Reviews (487)

Donna

Verified Review

Nationwide Mostly on Your Side

Reviewed in South Carolina on July 2025

Nationwide has been very good for everything except my budget.

Phyllis

Verified Review

I've been with Nationwide for 30 years but I do think their home insurance is too high

Reviewed in Tennessee on July 2025

Home insurance is too high, check around.

David

Verified Review

Switching to Progressive

Reviewed in Washington on June 2025

Don't get Roadside Assistance. We were stuck 800 miles from home with a flat tire and were told they could not find anyone to assist us. Thank God there was a Les Schwab Tire Center in town.

Previous

1234…25

NextSee all Nationwide reviews

Our Advice

JD Power

J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.

641

NAIC Index

Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.

0.7

A.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

For people who value customer service, Nationwide is worth considering.

The company claimed one of the top spots in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the North Central region. It also scored well above average in overall customer satisfaction in the North Central region and received high marks for claims satisfaction nationwide. Nationwide also holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Pros

• Offers 24/7 roadside assistance coverage add-on

• SmartRide (for safe drivers) and SmartMiles (for low-mileage drivers)

• Accident forgiveness available

Cons

• Below-average customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power

• Some discounts and programs not available in all states

• Not available in every state

GEICO: Best for added protection

added protection

Compare Quotes

User Reviews	4.0 6,444 reviews
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.	$182/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.	$228/mo

Show Details

Driver Reviews

4.0

Best choiceBased on 12,038 verified guest 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

Reviews (6,444)

Jared

Verified Review

Geico: Slow Like Race Day

Reviewed in North Carolina on July 2025

Fast responsive call center for claims, but the claim associate took forever to get claim amounts back in full. She was always driving when you called to chat about your policy and issues. It took 1.5 years to complete and get a great body shop to repair my vehicle. The shop still left the hood ground unhooked and hurried the claim to get my money. Paint and body work are not satisfactory after a closer look. Geico is disappointing.

Valery

Verified Review

Geico constantly raises rates

Reviewed in Oregon on July 2025

Stay away from Geico. They do not lower rates for good drivers, drivers using dashcams, accident-free, ticket-free. They constantly raise rates, claiming that the state raised the insurance rates, which is misleading. They seem more interested in giving their shareholders bigger dividends and are not there for the consumer.

Marion

Verified Review

Change rates without notification

Reviewed in Georgia on July 2025

They raise rates without notification, and when you call them, it's just, "Well, that's the way it is."

Previous

1234…25

NextSee all GEICO reviews

Our Advice

JD Power

J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.

637

NAIC Index

Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.

0.59

A.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, a subsidiary of the Berkshire Hathaway Group, is the third-largest U.S. insurer by market share. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO sells homeowners, renters, flood, travel, life, and business insurance, among other products. The insurer offers numerous car insurance discounts to help drivers save. For example, drivers who are accident-free for five years could earn 22% off premiums, and good students could earn 15% off. GEICO’s National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint index score is below average, meaning it receives fewer consumer complaints than average.

Pros

• Good rates for good drivers, seniors, and young drivers

• Accident forgiveness available

• A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best

Cons

• High rates for drivers with certain violations, like DUIs

• No rideshare or new car replacement coverage available

• Lower customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power

Cost of car insurance for Michigan college students

The cost of car insurance for Michigan college students varies based on the student’s age. Male teens pay about $246 per month, while female teens pay about $230 per month. By age 25, those premiums drop considerably for both genders. 

See the chart below for average Michigan teen insurance costs and rates for ages 16, 20, and 25.

What to know about staying on your parents’ car insurance

One major benefit of keeping a college student on their parents’ insurance policy is ensuring continuous coverage at school and when they return home for school breaks.

It’s also cheaper to keep a student on the family policy. Since insurers consider teens to be high-risk drivers, stand-alone policies are often much more expensive than staying on an existing policy.^[3]

On the flip side, maintaining coverage for your college student increases your premiums. The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) estimates that having a teen driver on your policy increases your premiums by 50% to 100%.^[4]

See the chart below for average liability-only and full-coverage costs.

Drivers	Liability Only	Full Coverage
Two parents + a teen driver	$296	$599
Two parents	$157	$316
Teen driver on their own policy	$184	$372

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Car insurance for college students out of state

Let your insurer know if your child attends school out of state or at least 100 miles from home. If your student leaves their car at home, you may qualify for lower rates while they’re away at school.

Keeping your child on your policy during the school year can save money while ensuring they have coverage when they return home for school breaks or holidays.

If your student takes a car to school out of state, check that state’s insurance laws. Your child will need at least the minimum coverage required by state law.

Car insurance for international students

International students who plan to drive while attending school in Michigan also need car insurance.

Traditional insurers like State Farm and Progressive insure international drivers, while companies like GradGuard specialize in coverage for college students, including international students.

The type of insurance an international student needs depends on whether they plan to rent or buy a car. Rental companies often provide temporary coverage, but students who plan to buy a car while they’re living in the U.S. will need standard car insurance.

To drive in the U.S. legally, international students need car insurance and a driver’s license. International students may be able to drive with their foreign license, but they may also need an international driving permit (IDP), depending on the state.

Compare Michigan Car Insurance Quotes

Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies

Enter your ZIP codeSee My Quotes

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.

Based on 3,806+ reviews

4.8/5

5 ways for college students to get cheaper insurance

Although younger drivers pay higher insurance rates, premiums vary based on several factors.

College students can often lower their premiums by following these tips:

• 

  Get good grades

  Many insurers offer a good student discount for students who maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher.

• 

  Take a defensive driving course

  Completing a defensive driving course can help your student become a better driver and may qualify them for an insurance discount.

• 

  Choose a higher deductible

  Policies with higher deductibles are usually cheaper than those with lower deductibles, although you’ll pay more out of pocket if you file a claim.

• 

  Reduce coverages

  Skipping optional coverages like collision, comprehensive, and rental car coverage can help reduce premiums if your student’s car isn’t worth much.

• 

  Leave the car at home

  If your student attends school more than 100 miles away and doesn’t take a car, your premiums may be lower.

You may also find cheap car insurance by shopping around before each policy renewal. Compare insurers’ rates, coverage, discounts, and policy terms to get the best deal.

Michigan car insurance requirements

Michigan requires three types of insurance coverage for all drivers:

• Liability insurance: Liability insurance covers any bodily injuries or property damage your student causes to others. In Michigan, drivers need to have $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $10,000 in property damage liability to cover property damage in another state. Liability insurance doesn’t pay for car repairs if your student causes an accident, or if hail, fire, theft, or vandalism damages the car.

• Property protection insurance: If your student causes a car accident in Michigan that damages a building, fence, or other structure, property protection insurance covers repair costs. But if the accident happens outside of Michigan, liability insurance applies based on where the accident occurred.

• Personal injury protection (PIP): PIP covers your student’s medical expenses and lost wages if they’re hurt in an accident.^[5]

College student car insurance FAQs