Keeping your college student covered
It’s a big step to get behind the wheel while as a college student — especially if that college is far away from home. It’s important for college drivers to have the right protection in place with affordable, quality coverage — and that’s where Allstate comes in.
Coverage types to consider with college student car insurance
Depending on the college student and their situation, Allstate offers several car insurance coverage options to keep them protected.
Collision coverage keeps students covered if they hit another vehicle or an object on the way to or from class.
Comprehensive coverage protects cars from things like vandalism, theft or hail, and is most beneficial for cars that may often be parked outside of a garage.
You can also choose to add both coverages to help maximize the students’ protection while they attend their home away from home.
Car insurance considerations for college students
Every college student has a different living situation, which can impact the type of car insurance you consider.
Living on campus
For students leaving their car at home, you may be able to adjust the coverage and potentially lower premium costs.
Commuter students
Students who drive daily to campus may benefit most from full coverage, depending on their vehicle type and distance driven daily.
Out-of-state school
For students attending college out of state, it’s important to understand that state’s insurance requirements in case you need to update your policy.
How the car’s owner can affect insurance
Some college students are listed on their car’s title, while others are not. Who is documented as the car’s owner can play a large role in whether or not the student needs their own insurance policy.
If the car is in a parent’s name or it’s jointly owned — meaning both the parent and student’s name is on the title — then the student can typically stay on their parent’s policy.
If the car is in the student’s name, then the student will likely need to purchase their own car insurance policy in their name.
College students who only drive at home
Many times, students don’t have their own car and instead only drive their parent’s car when they come back home to visit. It is still required that those students have coverage the moment they get behind the wheel.
Car insurance for international students
College students who come to the U.S. for school from other countries — and already have a valid driver’s license — have insurance options available to them to make sure they stay covered. Whether or not their existing driver’s license is valid depends on their country of origin. If it’s not, they will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before getting a quote.
Policy age limits for college students
Auto insurance isn’t the same as health insurance, meaning college students aren’t required to drop from their parent's policies once they reach a certain age. They can remain on their parent’s policy for as long as it makes sense for their family.
How to make changes to your auto policy
Need to add or remove a college student from an existing auto policy? You can easily make policy changes online to ensure your coverage stays accurate and up to date.
Why does it cost more to insure college students?
Driving can be riskier for teens and college students than experienced drivers. Some of these risks can include:
- Overall inexperience
- Not wearing seatbelts
- Higher chance of distracted driving
- Higher rates of alcohol use
- Tendency to speed
- Higher likelihood of accidents at night or on the weekend
Ways to save for college students
Get car insurance that’s both dependable on the road and easy on your budget for your college student. Allstate offers several discounts to lower premiums, like bundling home and auto.
Learn about driver discounts for college students by contacting your Allstate representative for more information.