Best Car Insurance for College Students in Michigan (2026)
State Farm, Nationwide, and GEICO are three of the best car insurance companies for college students in Michigan.
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Written byAly J. Yale
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Aly J. YaleHome and Auto Insurance Writer, Real Estate Expert
National Association of Real Estate Editors member
Bylines include Forbes, Bankrate, and CBS News
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Edited byBecky Helzer
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Becky HelzerEditor
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Reviewed byJohn Leach
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John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
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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.
Quick Facts
The average car insurance cost for college students depends on their age, gender, and the car they drive.[2]
College students may be eligible for discounts that can lower their insurance premiums.
You may qualify for lower rates if your student attends school more than 100 miles away and leaves their car at home.[1]
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
| 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. | $139/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. | $243/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 17,303 verified driver reviews and ratings
State Farm's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.1 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.3 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.8 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.7 | 2.9 |
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.
Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Showing 54 reviews from Michigan driversSee all 7,420 State Farm reviews
Verified Review
Reviewed in Michigan on April 17, 2026
The price keeps going up. The one and only time I needed help, they did not assist. It took days to get my truck towed. They don't even send proof of coverage anymore. However, by law, I have to have coverage, and yours is low-priced.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Michigan on April 12, 2026
Rates are high, no discounts for veterans or senior citizens, and I haven’t had tickets or traffic citations in years.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Michigan on April 6, 2026
I’ve had great service, but I can’t seem to get a lower rate. I’ve had no accidents or tickets for the many years I’ve been driving, but I’m still paying over $200.00 a month. They say it’s because of other drivers that my rates are so high. It’s getting hard to pay my bills when I’m on a fixed income.
…
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
665NAIC 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
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.
Nationwide: Best for customer service
| User Reviews | 4.2 |
|---|---|
| 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. | $136/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. | $239/mo |
4.2
Best choiceBased on 970 verified driver reviews and ratings
Nationwide's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.1 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.6 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.5 | 2.9 |
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.
Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 516 Nationwide reviews
Verified Review
Reviewed in Pennsylvania on April 19, 2026
Too expensive and they farm you out to other insurance companies.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Pennsylvania on March 28, 2026
The rates are not that good; they go up every other month with no notification. When you call about it, they say, "It is what it is." With auto-pay, we set the date, but they may take it a week early or a week later, but it's normally earlier than the date we set. This really sucks since I have had insurance through them since I was 17 years old, and I am now 61. Their rates keep going up with no notification.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Nevada on March 26, 2026
My car is 6 years old. I have no claims and no tickets, and my insurance has increased 200% in the past 6 years.
…
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
688NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.7A.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).
GEICO: Best for added protection
| 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. | $166/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. | $249/mo |
3.9
A solid optionBased on 17,544 verified driver reviews and ratings
GEICO's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.1 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.8 | 2.9 |
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.
Based on analysis of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 7,639 GEICO reviews
Verified Review
Reviewed in Maryland on April 22, 2026
No issues other than I feel I'm being overcharged. I think every year without a claim or violation should be rewarded with a discount on the premium.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Virginia on April 22, 2026
The price is high, and the service is not very good.
Verified Review
Reviewed in Massachusetts on April 22, 2026
Horrible customer service and no resolution to them understanding my checking account was hacked and they didn't receive the automatic payment where all my accounts were affected and had to change my billing information. Called a few times and got all kinds of conflicting bills. The girl who first helped me was very nice and told me she was reluctant to take a payment over the phone from me. She reported, "I'm afraid that they won't get it right!" This company disrespected my words and chose not to try and understand the truth. I would like to know a supervisor I could talk to even though I will never use them again. They charge three times as much as other agencies, no thanks.
…
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
641NAIC 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++We chose the best car insurance companies for Michigan college students based on average premiums, customer service ratings, discount availability, and range of coverage options offered.
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.
Average Liability-Only Rates by Age Group
Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Teens overall | $246 |
| 25 | $183 |
| 20 | $194 |
| 16 | $283 |
Average Liability-Only Rates by Age Group
Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Teens overall | $230 |
| 25 | $170 |
| 20 | $181 |
| 16 | $264 |
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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 is based on real-time Michigan quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
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.
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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
For additional information on insurance for college students in Michigan, check out the answers to some frequently asked questions.
How much is car insurance for college students in Michigan?
That depends on the student’s age and other factors. Male teen drivers pay an average of $246 per month for car insurance, while female teen drivers pay an average of $230. Once drivers reach their 20s, the average costs fall to $194 and $181, respectively.
What are some car insurance discounts for college students?
College students may qualify for a car insurance discount if they get good grades, take a defensive driving course, or leave their car at home while attending school.
Are there age limits for students to stay on their parents’ car insurance?
As long as a student lives at the same address or is enrolled in school full time, there’s no age limit for how long they can stay on their parents’ car insurance policy. Once a student leaves home permanently, though, they’ll typically need to buy their own insurance policy.
Sources
- Insurance Information institute. "Auto insurance for teen drivers."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Risk Factors for Teen Drivers."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Students."
- Michigan.gov. "MICHIGAN SELECTION OF PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION (PIP) MEDICAL COVERAGE -- INDIVIDUALS."
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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Aly J. YaleHome and Auto Insurance Writer, Real Estate Expert
National Association of Real Estate Editors member
Bylines include Forbes, Bankrate, and CBS News
Featured in
Becky HelzerEditor
John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
Featured in