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The Best Auto Insurance for College Students

Learn about the top auto insurance for college students of all ages.

Best Insurance for College Students Overall
Allstate Logo 2023

Allstate provides the widest range of coverage, discounts, and student resources at the most affordable prices.

Best Auto Insurance for Young College Students
State Farm Logo

State Farm offers many of the same benefits for college students as Allstate: discounts for good grades, multicar and multipolicy benefits, and driver training options.

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With tuition on top of room and board, college can be expensive. You or your parents may be searching for ways to cut costs, including on auto insurance.

Buying car insurance for college students, usually young drivers, doesn’t have to be a stressful affair. It’s true that insuring younger college students tends to be more expensive than insuring older drivers; companies consider youth to be risky due to their relative lack of driving experience. But many providers also offer some serious student discounts, as long as you know where to look.

In this article, we highlight the car insurance providers that provide the best value for college student drivers. For a personalized recommendation, reach out to one of our Perfect Policy Connectors, who can assess the market and find you a low average rate with the coverage options and customer service you need. Or, keep reading to learn how to save money on car insurance for college students.

Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance for College Students

Features Allstate State Farm Direct Auto USAA National General
Ranking 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
What it’s best for Overall Younger college students Older college students ROTC/military students Students with bad driving records
Availability U.S.-wide U.S.-wide AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, LA, MI, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA U.S.-wide U.S.-wide
iOS mobile app rating (out of 5) 4.8 4.8 3.1 4.8 n/a
Android mobile app rating (out of 5) 3.9 4.6 4.3 4.3 n/a
Customer satisfaction rating out of 1,000 (J.D. Power) 826 847 N/A 890 803
Average annual cost $1,673 $1,419 $2,487 $1,151 $1,714
Grade requirements for student discount 2.7 GPA 3.0 GPA,

B average,

top 20% of class, or

dean’s list/honor roll

Honor student, dean’s list,

B average, or

top 20% of class

3.0 GPA,

B average,

honor roll/dean’s list, or top 20% of class

3.0 GPA
Full or part time required for student discount Full time Full time Full time Full time Full time
Maximum age for student discount 25 25 None 25 27
Marital requirement for student discount Single None Single None None
Other relevant discounts available Multipolicy, safe driving, student away from home, usage-based, teen education Multipolicy, student away from home, driver training, multicar Multipolicy, multicar Multipolicy, military, multicar Annual mileage, multipolicy, multicar

Summary of the Best Auto Insurance for College Students

  1. 1.

    Best for College Students Overall: Allstate

  2. 2.

    Best for Younger College Students: State Farm

  3. 3.

    Best for Older College Students: Direct Auto

  4. 4.

    Best for ROTC/Military College Students: USAA

  5. 5.

    Best for Students With Bad Driving Records: National General

Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance for College Students

1. Best for College Students Overall - Allstate

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for teen drivers
  • A+ rating from AM Best means financial stability
  • Great customer service

Allstate’s comprehensive discount programs provide the best balance of flexibility and affordability for most college students.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Full-time college students
  • pro
    Students with good grades
  • pro
    Students who take safe driving courses
  • pro
    Students who don’t drive frequently or leave their cars at home
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Part-time college students
  • con
    Students over the age of 25
  • con
    Married students

Pay-Per-Mile Insurance Coverage

Some students do not use their cars on a regular basis. Perhaps you drive home a few times a semester, but you don’t need to drive to class every single day. In that case, Allstate’s pay-per-mile insurance Milewise may be the most affordable student option.

With Milewise, you pay a daily base rate as well as a per-mile rate instead of a pre-set monthly or annual premium. For instance, if your daily rate is $1.50 and you pay 6¢ per mile, here’s what you might pay for insurance per month:

Average daily miles driven Total monthly cost
5 $55.80
10 $65.10
25 $93

For certain low-mileage students, this option can save up to 72 percent annually. Be sure to calculate how many miles you drive during your daily life as a student, on average, before you choose this plan.

Note that Milewise is only available in select states:

  • Arizona
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • New Jersey
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Washington, D.C.
  • West Virginia1

Smart Student Discount

Many companies offer student discounts, but Allstate offers the most flexible savings options for college students. If you are under 25 and unmarried, you can qualify for Allstate’s Smart Student Discount if you meet any one of these three conditions:

  • You have a GPA of at least 2.7 as a full-time student.
  • You complete Allstate’s TeenSMART safe driving course.
  • You attend school more than 100 miles away from where your parents house the car.

Because of its flexible nature, the Smart Student Discount can provide significant savings for many types of students. If you are a part-time student, you can still save by completing a safe driving program. If you live close to home, you can still save by getting good grades.

Such diverse options make Allstate’s student discount more compelling than other insurance providers’ offerings. Older or married students are disqualified from receiving this deal, though older, married people receive lower rates than teens in general.2 Also, if you want to take advantage of the student-away-from-home discount, your car’s title must be in the name of your parent or guardian.

Save by Bundling Multiple Policies

Most college students moving away from home for the first time need more than just car insurance. They should also think seriously about buying renters insurance for their dorms or off-campus housing, which would protect their valuables in the event of a catastrophe or a house party gone wrong.

Allstate’s multiple policy discount can help you save up to 10 percent on auto insurance by bundling it with renters insurance. Be sure to indicate your need for renters insurance when requesting an online quote, since bundling will reflect the premiums you receive.

Students may also elect to drive for a rideshare service to earn extra cash, making rideshare insurance a crucial consideration. Note that Allstate offers rideshare insurance as both add-on coverage and as a separate insurance policy.3 Speak to an agent to decide which option is right for you.

DID YOU KNOW?

Allstate has the lowest GPA requirement for good students to get a discount. Learn more in our Allstate review.

2. Best for Younger College Students - State Farm

What We Like Most:

  • Local agents
  • Rideshare insurance available
  • Discounts for having multiple cars

As the nation’s largest auto insurance provider, State Farm is a great choice for students in a younger age bracket.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Students ages 16 to 25
  • pro
    Students moving far from home
  • pro
    Students who want the security of the largest insurance provider
  • pro
    Students with good grades
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Students older than 25
  • con
    Students with subpar grades
  • con
    Students who want to book from a smaller company that can offer more personalized service
  • con
    Part-time students

Steer Clear Safe Driver Program

State Farm offers a program called Steer Clear to help young adult drivers sharpen their skills and save on their premiums. To qualify for Steer Clear, you must meet these requirements:

  • Be under the age of 25.
  • Have a valid driver’s license.
  • Have zero at-fault accidents or moving violations on your record in the past three years.
  • Complete five modules in an app within six months of starting the program.
  • Complete five hours of driving in at least 10 trips.4

Once you complete the program, State Farm automatically sends your certification to your insurance agent, who will then apply a discount to your coverage. This program helps younger students improve their driving and save up to 15 percent on car insurance.

Good Student Discount

State Farm offers a solid discount for high-achieving students, but it is slightly less flexible than Allstate’s version. This discount is available if you are a full-time student under age 25 and meet one of the following conditions:

  • You are in the top 20 percent of your class.
  • You have an average grade of B or higher.
  • You have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • You made the dean’s list or honor roll in your preceding semester.

Not only is this option a bit more restrictive than Allstate’s, but the grade requirements are slightly higher. Still, it represents a solid route to savings for young students who get good grades in their full-time programs.

Student Away at School Discount

If your parents list you on their State Farm car insurance policy and you don’t need to use a car while at school, you may qualify for State Farm’s Student Away at School discount. In order to participate in your program, you must meet these criteria:

  • You live at school, more than 100 miles away from home.
  • You drive your car only while visiting home during breaks.
  • You keep your car at home while at school.
  • You are under age 25.

If you meet these qualifications, talk to your State Farm insurance agent to see how you can save while you are away at school.

LEARN MORE:

State Farm gives students looking for auto insurance a ton of ways to save. Get more details in our State Farm review.

3. Best for Older College Students - Direct Auto
Direct Auto Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for high-risk drivers
  • Can pay in cash locally
  • Save money by bundling with life insurance

Direct Auto may not be as much of a household name as Allstate or State Farm, but it’s an option you should consider if you live within its coverage area.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Students with good grades
  • pro
    Full-time students
  • pro
    Adult students
  • pro
    Students living in one of Direct Auto’s covered states:
    • Alabama
    • Arkansas
    • Delaware
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Louisiana
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • North Carolina
    • Ohio
    • Pennsylvania
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Virginia
    • Washington
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Part-time students
  • con
    Married students
  • con
    Students residing outside Direct Auto’s coverage areas
  • con
    Students with bad grades

Good Student Discount

Direct Auto’s Good Student Discount provides up to 10 percent off your car insurance if you meet all of the following conditions:

  • You are unmarried.
  • You are a full-time student.
  • You are an honor student, are on the dean’s list, have a B average or higher, or are in the top 20 percent of your class.
  • You live in a state where Direct Auto offers the Good Student Discount — Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, or Washington.5

While it may be slightly less flexible than other companies’ student savings offerings, Direct Auto’s Good Student Discount is unique in that it is available for nontraditional adult students. If you are headed back to school for a career change or a master’s program, you may qualify for savings even if you are over the age of 25.

TIP:

If you are a full-time student over the age of 25, Direct Auto is the only company on this list that will still offer a discount for your academic achievements. Read more in our Direct Auto review.

Multicar Discount

Did your parents buy you a car as a graduation gift? Do they pay for your auto insurance?

If you plan to stay on your parent’s insurance while at school, then Direct Auto’s impressive multicar discount can help you save up to 25 percent on premiums. Just make sure that each vehicle on the plan is registered in the same household and to the same policyholder. And parents, learn how to add your teen to your policy.

Flexible Payment Options

Direct Auto offers some of the most customizable payment options in the industry, which is helpful for college students strapped for cash or those with nontraditional income streams. The company lets you choose the day of each month on which you’d like to make your payment, helping you align it with payday.

Another way to reduce monthly costs is to elect to pay more upfront as a down payment, which could be a good option if you have the cash from a graduation gift or a paid summer internship. However, if you want to avoid a down payment, check out the best car insurance with no down payment.

Also, Direct Auto provides some of the most flexible ways to pay your premiums. You can auto-pay online with a credit or debit card, pay by e-check, or even pay with cash at a local Direct Auto or partner location. Such options can be life-savers for students who earn largely cash-based incomes.

TIP:

If you are a full-time student over the age of 25, Direct Auto is the only company on this list that will still offer a discount for your academic achievements. Read more in our Direct Auto review.

4. Best for ROTC/Military College Students - USAA

What We Like Most:

  • Lowest rates for military members, veterans, and their families
  • Rideshare insurance available
  • Usage-based insurance available for low-mileage drivers

USAA is a popular provider of student car insurance, but it is limited to military members and their families.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Military or ROTC students
  • pro
    Students from military families
  • pro
    Students ages 16 to 27
  • pro
    Students whose parents have USAA insurance
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Non-military students
  • con
    Students with a family member who was dishonorably discharged from the military
  • con
    Students over age 27
  • con
    Part-time students

Good Student Discount

USAA’s Good Student Discount has similar requirements to those of other providers. To qualify, applicants must meet these conditions:

  • You’re between the ages of 16 and 25.
  • You’re enrolled full time at a college or university.
  • You’re a high-achieving student with one of the following qualifications:
    • Top 20 percent of your class
    • B average or higher
    • GPA of 3.0 or higher
    • Honor roll or dean’s list

Note that this discount does not renew automatically — you will have to reapply each year to prove you are eligible. The discount is not available in Hawaii or North Carolina. But if you are a military student or from a military family, you should apply to see how much you can save thanks to good grades.

Family Discount for Your First Insurance Policy

USAA rewards loyalty. If your family has had a USAA insurance policy for at least three years, you can apply for a family discount on your first individual auto insurance policy. You can unlock savings of up to 10 percent if you are under the age of 25 and have a clean driving record. USAA’s family discount can represent a great value for students moving away from home who are off their families’ policies for the first time.

Get Rewarded With SafePilot

Most college students drive with their phones on them. If you carry your phone everywhere and drive safely, USAA will reward you with car insurance discounts based on your driving habits. Download the free USAA SafePilot app to assess how well you’re driving and how you can improve.

When your policy renews, USAA will assess up to a 30 percent discount based on your performance and reset your score so that you have a fresh start. It’ll even give you a 10 percent discount on your quote just for enrolling in the program.6 SafePilot offers great value for any student that wants to earn discounts for driving safely.

GO DEEPER:

Is the military discount worth it? Check out our USAA review to learn more.

5. Best for Students With Bad Driving Records - National General
National General Logo 2023

What We Like Most:

  • Personal and commercial policies available
  • Lower rates for good drivers with DynamicDrive app
  • Report claims, and get reimbursed, within 48 hours

National General specializes in policies for higher-risk drivers. Since young students are often seen as high risk, National General can represent a solid value. But be aware that these policies often come with higher-than-average premiums.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Students with at least B averages or 3.0 GPAs
  • pro
    Students younger than 27
  • pro
    Students with spotty driving records
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Students with lower grades
  • con
    Students with clean driving records
  • con
    Older students
  • con
    Students who want the option of a mobile app

Good Student Discount

Like all of our recommended student insurers, National General reduces rates for students that maintain high academic standards. The company offers a discount if you maintain at least a 3.0 GPA  the exact discount varies by state). Note that this discount is slightly less flexible than what other providers offer, and it may be difficult to qualify for if you attend a college that does not provide GPAs, like Reed College, Evergreen State, or the New College of Florida.

Coverage for Students With DUIs or Moving Violations

Many insurers regard drivers with DUI records or moving violations as unacceptable risks. National General, however, specializes in providing coverage for first-time offenders who have completed the company’s Safe Driving and Substance Abuse Therapy program. National General can also help drivers file an SR-22, a required certificate in many states that demonstrates you have the minimum level of auto insurance coverage. If you have blemishes on your driving record, National General may be your best option.

Guaranteed Satisfaction for Claims

National General offers a unique customer satisfaction guarantee for its claims service. The company promises to waive your deductible up to $250 if you are unsatisfied with its claims service. National General pays most claims within 48 hours of the initial filing. Note that this guarantee is not available in the state of Washington.

Methodology

We choose the best auto insurance options for college students using comprehensive research methodology.

  • Company data: First, we analyze data about each company and its insurance options, using information directly from their websites, with an eye for special deals and discounts.
  • Third-party ratings: Next, we use third-party customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings from AM Best, the Better Business Bureau, Moody’s, S&P, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
  • Proprietary data: We use proprietary data from AutoInsurance.com’s extensive database to inform our recommendations. For over 20 years, we have collected millions of data points surrounding insurance customers and companies. By breaking down this data by demographic, we save consumers time by only matching them with companies that will serve them.
  • Institutional knowledge: Finally, we tap into the vast institutional knowledge of Paul Ford, president of insurance at Centerfield, AutoInsurance.com’s parent company. Paul has spent nearly three decades working in the insurance industry, with tenures at Canadian Access, InsLogic, Capital One Insurance Services, NetQuote, Bankrate, and Datalot. We leverage Paul’s extensive knowledge about car insurance to help customers find their Perfect Policies.

FAQs

What is the average price of car insurance for college students?

The amount you pay for car insurance varies depending on many factors, including your age, gender, location, and car. However, the average amount that college students pay for car insurance is $1,257 per year, which is cheaper than what younger teens pay thanks to older ages and significant student discounts.

Should I stay on my parents’ policy as a college student?

If you share a permanent address with your parents, it is likely a good idea to stay on their insurance. This can give you access to multicar and multipolicy discounts to keep rates low if you keep your car at home during the semester. Additionally, you may benefit from your parent’s older ages or credit scores, which tend to lower auto insurance rates.

What happens if you lie about your GPA to an insurance company?

Intentionally lying to an insurance company constitutes fraud and can result in fines, community service requirements, or jail time. If you haven’t truly achieved the required grades, lying to achieve a good student discount is not worth the possible penalties.

Can I remove my child from my car insurance when they go to college?

Most car insurance providers allow you to remove a child from your plan when they leave for college as long as they are attending school at least 100 miles away. This is known as a “student away from home” discount. If your child is attending school closer than 100 miles to their home, insurers deem them likely to return home frequently and use the car.

Citations

  1. Pay-per-mile car insurance. Allstate. (2022).
    https://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/milewise

  2. Auto insurance for teen drivers. Insurance Information Institute. (2022).
    https://www.iii.org/article/auto-insurance-teen-drivers

  3. What does rideshare insurance cover? Allstate. (2022, June).
    https://www.allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/ride-sharing-insurance

  4. Enroll and enjoy Steer Clear® insurance savings. State Farm. (2022, June).
    https://www.statefarm.com/insurance/auto/discounts/steer-clear

  5. Good Student Discount. Direct Auto Insurance. (2022).
    https://www.directauto.com/why-direct/get-discounts/good-student-discount

  6. USAA SAFEPILOT®. USAA. (2022).
    https://www.usaa.com/insurance/safedriving?akredirect=true