Best Car Insurance for College Students in Texas (2024)

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.

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

teens on their parents’ policy

Compare Quotes

User Reviews	4.2 5,080 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.	$54/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.	$119/mo

Hide Details

Driver Reviews

4.2

Best choiceBased on 9,243 verified guest reviews and ratings

How drivers feel about State Farm

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

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

Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.

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

Best For

Customer service

Competitive rates

Discounts for safe drivers

Reviews (5,080)

Al

December 19, 2024

Verified Review

My Opinion

Way too high premium.

Agnes

December 19, 2024

Verified Review

Best Insurance Company

I have been with them for a long time. Claims are handled quickly. I never had a problem, even when I had three teenagers driving.

Gabriel

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

My Experience with State Farm

Beware, some companies are more interested in making money than meeting the customers' needs. My wife had a medical issue while driving, and they covered it. A year later, there was a fender bender involving two moving vehicles. To me, it was no fault, but they considered it a second incident. We also had hail damage to our roof. They said there wasn't enough damage, yet my next-door neighbors received a new one. Now, they're canceling me for 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.

842

NAIC Index

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

0.78

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

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

• 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

Travelers: Best for student discounts

student discounts

Compare Quotes

User Reviews	4.7 399 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.	9.0 /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.	$191/mo

Show Details

Driver Reviews

4.7

Best choiceBased on 771 verified guest reviews and ratings

How drivers feel about Travelers

Drivers appreciate the lowest prices, excellent service, and responsive call centers but dislike the rising premiums and poor claims handling.

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

Best For

Numerous discounts

Gap insurance

Rideshare coverage

How drivers feel about Travelers

Drivers appreciate the lowest prices, excellent service, and responsive call centers but dislike the rising premiums and poor claims handling.

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

Best For

Numerous discounts

Gap insurance

Rideshare coverage

Reviews (399)

Larry

December 14, 2024

Verified Review

Bye

It's very hard to file a claim. You have to take all kinds of pictures.

Joan

December 13, 2024

Verified Review

Not Recommended: Travelers Insurance

Their prices are outrageous. I have been with them for 10 years without any accidents. The customer service representatives can barely speak English and don't offer solutions.

Thomas

December 10, 2024

Verified Review

Checking Rates

I have no problem with Travelers. I'm just looking to check rates with other insurance carriers.

Previous

1234…25

NextSee all Travelers reviews

Our Advice

JD Power

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

829

NAIC Index

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

0.94

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

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

• Offers discount for hybrid and electric cars

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

Cons

• Rideshare coverage not available in all states

• High number of negative customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau

• Higher-than-average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners

USAA: Best for military families

military families

Compare Quotes

User Reviews	4.9 940 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.	9.4 /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.	$45/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.	$99/mo

Show Details

Driver Reviews

4.9

Best choiceBased on 1,646 verified guest reviews and ratings

How drivers feel about USAA

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

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

Best For

Members of the military community

Outstanding customer service

Competitive rates

How drivers feel about USAA

Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.

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

Best For

Members of the military community

Outstanding customer service

Competitive rates

Reviews (940)

Arlington

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Mediocre

It's too hard to get past all the checks and balances to verify you're a member. There are too many questions and memory items to get past their firewall. Lastly, everyone is working remotely, and you can hear the family activities in the background.

Peter

December 18, 2024

Verified Review

Not Happy with USAA

They increase premium rates without notifying you well in advance. They even raise the premium for a minor fender bender, like pulling out of a driveway into an illegally parked vehicle.

Donna

December 17, 2024

Verified Review

I was in an accident which was not my fault, and my insurance increased to $118 a month. I don't drive my car much, less than 50 miles a day. Additionally, I have home insurance with USAA and my payment increased by $100. As a veteran, I find this totally wrong.

I was in an accident which was not my fault, and my insurance increased to $118 a month. I don't drive my car much, less than 50 miles a day. Additionally, I have home insurance with USAA and my payment increased by $100. As a veteran, I find this totally wrong.

Previous

1234…25

NextSee all USAA reviews

Our Advice

JD Power

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

880

NAIC Index

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

1.35

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

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

• High customer satisfaction

• 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

• Customer reviews are mixed for service and claims processing

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.

Find Car Insurance for College Students

Liability rates in Texas average $120 per month

Enter your ZIP codeView My Quotes

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.

Based on 3,806+ reviews

4.8/5

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.

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.

Shop for a Texas Car Insurance Policy

Check quotes from 100+ top insurance companies

Enter your ZIP codeGet My Quotes

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.

Based on 3,806+ reviews

4.8/5

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