Best Car Insurance for College Students in Texas (2024)
State Farm, Travelers, and USAA are the best car insurance companies for college students in Texas.
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Written byTaylor Milam-Samuel
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8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
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Edited bySarah Archambault
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Experienced personal finance writer
Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
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Updated September 17, 2024
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Table of contents
Texas legally requires all drivers to have car insurance, including college students. The best insurance policy for college students in Texas depends on whether you plan to stay on your parents’ insurance policy or get a separate policy. Most college students stay on a parent’s policy since it’s often cheaper.[1]
Whether you’re moving to Texas to attend school or already a resident and planning to attend college locally, you have a lot of insurance options. Here’s how to find the best insurance company for college students in the Lone Star State.
Quick Facts
Texas college students who plan to drive must have liability-only car insurance coverage that meets the minimum state requirements.
You can usually stay on your parents’ car insurance when your permanent address is still your family’s home.
Most insurance companies have discounts for college students, and comparing rates makes it easier to save money.
Best car insurance for college students in Texas
Consider your priorities when choosing the best car insurance for college students in Texas. Determine whether you’re looking for low rates, discounts, or the best overall experience. The following car insurance companies are Insurify’s top picks in each category for college drivers in Texas.
State Farm: Best for teens on their parents’ policy
State FarmCompare personalized, real-time quotes
| User Reviews | 3.2 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.3/10 |
| 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. | $121/mo |
State Farm offers the lowest rates for teen drivers in Texas. The average cost of car insurance for a teen driver with State Farm is less than half of what you’d pay with other insurers. If you live in Texas, plan to attend an in-state school, and want to stay on your parents’ policy, State Farm is the best pick for cheap coverage.
Pros
High rates of customer satisfaction
Rideshare insurance available
Cons
No gap insurance offering
May not be the cheapest choice for drivers with violations
Read more driver reviews of State Farm
Donna - September 17, 2024
Verified
Keep Looking at Other Companies
Terrible; my monthly rate went up every month with no explanation!
Julie - September 17, 2024
Verified
Unhappy
My rates are too high. It's never the same price from month to month.
Claudia - September 17, 2024
Verified
State Farm
The rates are too high. I have tried several things to get discounts, but the price keeps going up.
…
Travelers: Best for student discounts
TravelersCompare personalized, real-time quotes
| User Reviews | 3.4 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.0/10 |
| 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. | $89/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. | $194/mo |
Travelers is the best option for student discounts. The company offers discounts for students who maintain a “B” average and students who complete a driver training program.
College students who attend school at least 100 miles from home can also take advantage of the student-away discount if they leave their car at home. Parents who want to keep a college student on their insurance plan can save money with a multi-vehicle discount.
Pros
Accident forgiveness available
Robust coverage selections and discount offerings
Cons
Rideshare coverage only available in Colorado and Illinois
High number of negative customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau
Read more driver reviews of Travelers
Jenny - September 17, 2024
Verified
They Don't Want to Cover Claims
I've advised others not to use them and if they already have, to switch quickly. I've found others who have had bad experiences with them, including my son who lives in a state 6 hours away.
Jan - September 17, 2024
Verified
Claim Service
They provide good claims service.
Barbara Collins - September 16, 2024
Verified
Travelers
Too expensive.
…
USAA: Best for military families
USAACompare personalized, real-time quotes
| User Reviews | 3.6 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.4/10 |
| 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. | $46/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. | $100/mo |
USAA earns the highest Insurify Quality (IQ) Score for insurers in Texas, making it a top pick for college students affiliated with the military. The company offers excellent customer satisfaction ratings, solid pricing, strong financial strength, and an easy claims process. If you can qualify for membership through a military connection, USAA is a great option for college drivers.
Pros
Low premiums
SafePilot program rewards good driving with up to 30% discount
Cons
Only available to active-duty military, veterans, military spouses, or children of service members or veterans
No 24/7 customer phone support
Read more driver reviews of USAA
Derick - September 17, 2024
Verified
Lower Insurance Costs
I just think I'm paying way too much for insurance.
James - September 17, 2024
Verified
Too Expensive...
The rates seem to be increasing every year to a point where I can't afford them. I am now shopping for other options.
Charles - September 16, 2024
Verified
They thank their veterans by doubling the premiums
My car insurance has doubled over the past year for no reason on my end. I'm shopping for cheaper car insurance as we speak.
…
To choose the best car insurance companies for college students in Texas, we reviewed the average prices and analyzed the ratings for each insurance company. The top insurance companies offer low prices, excellent customer service, extensive discounts, and strong customer satisfaction.
Cost of car insurance for Texas college students
Due to their inexperience behind the wheel and risky behaviors, teens and young drivers are more expensive to insure. The cost of coverage decreases with every additional year of age, but not by much. By the time you graduate from college, you’ll spend about $30 less per month for coverage. Once you’re age 25, you should see more affordable rates.[2]
The chart below shows how monthly liability quotes in Texas change based on different ages.
Average Monthly Liability-Only Quotes by Age
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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What to know about staying on your parents’ car insurance
It’s usually cheaper to stay on your parents’ auto insurance as a teen driver. The average cost of full coverage for a teen driver is $372 per month, Insurify data shows. Insuring a teen driver on a family policy costs an average of $303, nearly $70 cheaper.
If you plan to live at home while you attend school or share a car, staying on your parents’ policy usually makes sense since it’s more convenient and cost-effective. Plus, you can qualify for additional discounts, like a multi-vehicle discount.
But staying on your parents’ policy isn’t always practical or possible. If you’re attending school out of state or plan to keep your car on campus, it might be easier to have a separate insurance policy. Here’s how much you might pay depending on whether you have your own policy or stay on your parents’ policy.
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 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Car insurance for college students out of state
When attending school out of state, you have extra car insurance considerations. Some car insurance companies require out-of-state students to have separate insurance policies. But regardless of how you decide to handle coverage, students must meet the minimum-coverage requirements for Texas.[3]
Here are a few considerations for Texas college students from out of state:
You’re not bringing a car to school. You might want to maintain coverage even if you’re not bringing a car to school. It makes driving your parents’ car easier when you’re home during breaks. And you can often qualify for student-away discounts to reduce costs.
Your parents’ house is still your permanent address. You can typically stay on your parents’ car insurance when you bring a car to college. But if you move out permanently, you’ll need to get your own insurance.
Your parent(s) owns the car you’re bringing to school. You can usually stay on your parents’ car insurance if they own the vehicle you’re bringing to school.
Car insurance for international students
You must have car insurance if you’re an international student attending college in Texas and you plan to drive. International students must have a valid driver’s license to get coverage. Depending on where you’re from, you might be able to use your international license in the U.S. If not, you can apply for an international driving permit, which lasts for six to 12 months.
It’s common for international students to need car insurance. Most companies issue policies to international students with foreign licenses. The only downside is that insurers consider your driving record when determining rates. So if you don’t have a U.S. driving history, you’ll usually pay more for coverage.
5 ways for college students to get cheaper insurance
Car insurance for college students can be expensive. Here are some easy ways to get cheaper coverage:
Maintain good grades
Most insurers offer a good student discount for students with average grades of “B” or higher. This discount can help reduce the cost of coverage, regardless of whether you attend school near home or out of state.
Take a defensive driving course
Defensive driver courses teach young drivers how to be safer. They’re affordable, and you can typically complete the program online or in person. Most insurers offer a discount for drivers who complete an approved course.
Reduce your coverage
If you need to save money on car insurance, consider reducing your coverage, especially if you have an older car. If you prefer to maintain higher coverage, consider increasing your deductible to lower your monthly premium.
Stay on your parents’ policy
It’s usually cheaper to stay on your parents’ policy instead of getting a new one. Most drivers save about $70 per month.
Compare prices
Get car insurance quotes from multiple companies before deciding. Comparing prices is one of the quickest and most effective ways to get more information about how to save money on coverage.
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Texas car insurance requirements
All Texas drivers, including college students, must have liability-only car insurance. The state requires that drivers have at least $30,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $60,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident.
Liability insurance pays for the other driver’s injuries and repairs when you cause an accident. But it doesn’t protect you, your passengers, or your car. Because of that, most insurance experts recommend full-coverage car insurance, which includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. Full coverage costs more, but it often pays for itself if you’re in a serious accident.
College student car insurance FAQs
If you’re heading off to college in Texas and plan to drive, it’s important to understand what type of coverage you need. Here’s some additional information about car insurance for college students in Texas.
How much is car insurance for college students in Texas?
Car insurance costs an average of $230 per month for teenage college students in Texas, according to Insurify data. Young drivers pay more for car insurance due to inexperience and riskier driving behaviors on the road. You’ll typically pay less as you age, especially once you’re at least 25 years old.
What are some car insurance discounts for college students?
Most insurance companies offer a good student discount for college students who maintain at least a "B" average. You can also get a student-away discount if you leave your car at home during the school year and only drive during breaks. Parents can also get a multi-vehicle discount for insuring their child if they have more than one car on the same policy.
Are there age limits for students to stay on their parents’ car insurance?
Students can stay on their parents’ car insurance as long as they want, but they must share a permanent address. Insurers don’t set an age limit for sharing coverage if you have a shared vehicle and live at the same address.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 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 50+ 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.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance. "Auto insurance guide."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Teen drivers."
- Texas Department of Insurance. "TDI reminds parents of college students to check their insurance."
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Taylor Milam-Samuel
Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.
Edited bySarah Archambault
Experienced personal finance writer
Background working with banks and insurance companies
Sarah enjoys helping people find smarter ways to spend their money. She covers auto financing, banking, credit cards, credit health, insurance, and personal loans.
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