The Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students

If you're a college student, you're likely on a strict budget. You already have to pay for tuition, room and board, text books, and more. But if you're driving, you also need to have car insurance. Auto insurance for college students is usually in the back of your mind. 

Nobody thinks about shopping for car insurance. In fact, most college students simply opt for the same insurance their parents have, even if it's not the cheapest.

But the simple fact is, auto insurance for college students can make up a huge part of your limited budget. And auto insurance rates change all the time. The "good deal" you got as a college freshman might be a bad deal today.

Plus, the average cost of car insurance for a 19-year-old is $2,629 per year.

That's why it's essential that you shop around and look for the best auto insurance rates. We've made it simple by putting together this simple comparison tool.

Winner: Liberty Mutual

Our #1 pick for the cheapest car insurance for college students is Liberty Mutual. The reason might surprise you. It's because Liberty Mutual has an awesome incentive program to combine renters insurance (which every college student needs) with their car insurance. And by combining your policies, you can save big bucks AND get more of what you need.

When you combine car insurance with renters insurance, you get a multi-policy discount, which saves you a lot of money. At Liberty Mutual, while rates vary, that can be a significant reduction. With that, we recommend Liberty Mutual as our top pick for the cheapest overall auto insurance for college students.

Runner Up: Lemonade

Lemonade is one of our top choices because it combines everything you need—car insurance, renters insurance, and more into a simple product that you can apply for and get covered online.

We love Lemonade because of how easy they make it to get insured. They're a relalatively new company compared to Liberty Mutual, but as a result, they're also innovative and making things easy for their customers.

Read our full Lemonade review here.

Runner Up: Metromile

You've probably not heard of Metromile, but it's a fantastic solution for college students who don't drive very much. This is car insurance that you simply pay by mile. So, if you're only driving 2,500 or 10,000 miles per year, you could be saving up to $947 or more on your car insurance.

This model works well for college students and drivers on a budget because you only pay for what you use. If you live on or near campus and only drive on the weekends, summers, random trips, why are you paying for car insurance year round?

Read our full Metromile review here.

Compare Overall Auto Insurance For College Students

Here's our full comparison list for car insurance for college students. Remember, rates vary by state. Enter your zip code below and get started to find the lowest price near you.

Biggest Factors To Consider When Shopping For Car Insurance

There are so many variables involved in what price you pay for car insurance. Everything from your history, your vehicle, where you live, and more all influence the price you're going to pay. 

Many insurance websites have a way for you to see a quote and what you could get with that price.

Insurance companies know the risks of every area, car, driving habit, and more, so it’s important for you to understand what you’re getting. 

When it comes to shopping around for car insurance as a college student, make sure you take into consideration the following factors:

How Much Coverage Do You Really Need?

Some policies will try to oversell you on coverage. But you also shouldn't come up short. Every state also have different insurance minimums (which we highlight below), that you must follow. But the minimum might not be enough.

There are a lot of guides out there that can help you decide how much coverage you need. Here’s a helpful one from Consumer Reports. The type of insurance you need really depends on a few factors and questions to ask yourself:

1. You have a lot of assets—Do you have enough coverage to protect everything that is important to you?
2. You don't have any assets—Do you need as much coverage?
3. Bundling and getting discounts—Do you know which ones you’re eligible for?

Your History And Your Vehicle

Your driving history and your vehicle play a big role in the price of your car insurance. If you don't drive much, you might consider an alternative that we discuss below. 

Your vehicle also plays a big factor in your coverage. Some vehicles will be cheaper than others to insure. A lot of it boils down to risk.

Older cars, for example, might be less expensive to insure than newer ones, even if it’s the same make and model. This is because getting into an accident in a new car will cost more to fix, while an older car that might be better off to replace. 

Also, insurance companies take into consideration things like: 

• The likelihood of your vehicle getting broken into. Some makes and models have a history of break-ins and theft. 
• The cost of repairs
• Overall safety record of the car. Vehicles with high quality safety equipment could qualify for discounts.

Alternatives For Low Mileage Drivers

Metromile is a pay by mile car insurance company and if you don’t drive much, it could be a low-cost alternative to other insurance companies. 

If you're driving less than 6,000 miles per year, you could be saving upwards of $741 or more per year by switching. 

The way it works is simple. You sign up, pay a small monthly fee, and then a low per-mile rate. You plug a small device into your car which tracks your mileage. Super simple.

Check out Metromile here.

What About Ride Sharing Insurance?

One of our favorite ways to make money in college is to drive for a ride sharing company like Uber or Lyft. However, if you drive for these services, you need to get additional insurance if you're in an accident. These insurance policies are "add-ons," they cover you for the time you're using your vehicle for work.

If you don't have ridesharing insurance and you're in an accident, you could be liable for all the damages because your personal insurance likely won't cover you. 

You might think you're covered by Uber or Lyft when you drive, but that's only partially correct. Uber and Lyft only cover rideshare drivers once you accept a ride request and are en route to your passenger, and once your passenger gets into your car.  

But when you’re online and waiting for a request OR the second you end the ride and your passenger gets out, you have no collision coverage from Uber or Lyft. If you’re stopped and on a busy road, there’s still a chance you could get hit by another car and is known to be an accident-prone time.

So as a rideshare driver, you need to get a ride sharing insurance policy. Our recommended company Liberty Mutual offers ridesharing policies, and other companies do as well. Make sure you talk to your insurance company about this if you're driving for Uber or Lyft.

Do You Need Insurance For On-Demand Rental Services?

What if you don't own a car, don't drive very much, and only use on-demand, hourly car rental services like Zipcar? Do you still need car insurance? No, you don’t because car insurance is included. For your monthly membership fee and rental usage fee, you get an insurance policy that covers you while you drive.

Using services like Zipcar is a fantastic tool for college students who only need to drive a few times a month. These are self service cars that are available on almost every college campus, 24/7. You only pay for what you use by the hour, and you can get started with their online app. 

This is a fantastic alternative than owning a car and having to get car insurance if you don't drive very often.

Check to see if Zipcar is available on a campus near you: Find Zipcar. 

Read our full Zipcar review here.

Can You Just Uber Everywhere?

Even though it’s smart to shop around for the best and cheapest car insurance for college students, anyone on a budget can benefit by reassessing this insurance. 

If you don’t drive much, consider ditching your car all together and using Uber or Lyft to get rides everywhere you need to go. Depending on where you live, how frequently you need a car, and the prices in your area, it can be a really cost-effective solution versus owning a car and paying for car insurance.

2. Policy Discounts

These are discounts that apply to the entire policy, and are usually based on actions you take as a driver.

3. Other Discounts

These are other discounts that you might get from your car insurance company, but they typically require special actions on your part. Always ask to see if you qualify. 

For students, the big discounts to take advantage of are the good student discount and the multi-policy discount. The multi-policy discount is typically the biggest dollar-amount discount that insurance companies will provide. 

However, for teenage and college student drivers, the good student can help a lot with rate reduction.

Is Switching Car Insurance Worth It?

Most of the time, changing your car insurance to save money is definitely worth it. Unlike banks or credit cards, changing your car insurance is easy. You can do it in about 10 minutes online, and your new policy is active. Then, you just need to cancel your old car insurance policy.

Another thing that can make switching car insurance worth it is combining it with renters insurance. College students need renters insurance. 

If you get a car insurance and renters insurance policy at the same company, your renters insurance can be free (or you can view it as a significant discount on your car insurance).

How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?

This depends on your situation and varies from person to person. 

If you're looking to get the cheapest policy possible, you can buy an insurance policy that is only liability. This means it only covers you for injuries and damages you cause to others, but it won't help pay for damage to your car. 

Typically, most experts recommend having at least $50,000 per person in liability coverage.

You can then add in collision or comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage will cover your vehicle for damages suffered in a collision. 

Comprehensive adds even more coverage, such as if your vehicle is stolen. Given that this insurance will cover more, it will also make it more expensive.

Car Insurance Minimums By State

Every state has different insurance requirements, which makes it so hard to compare insurance policies. That's why we have this tool that allows you to enter your zip code and see what policies you can apply for. They do vary quite a bit from state to state. 

What You Need To Compare

The first things to know is what you need to compare when it comes to states. There are four main types of insurance minimums that apply:

1. Bodily Injury Liability: This is defined per person and the maximum amount your policy will pay if someone is injured.

2. Property Damage Liability: This is defined per accident and covers damage you do to property (not your own vehicle). 

3. Personal Injury Protection: This is what you insurance company will cover for your injuries, and is defined per person and per accident.

4. Uninsured Motorist Protection: This is defined per person and per accident, and covers you if you're involved in an accident by an uninsured motorist.

It's important to note that these are just minimum amounts of insurance. You can also get comprehensive insurance that covers your vehicle in events like storm damage, theft, and more - but states don't require that.

Also, note that the minimums might not be enough for you. You need to assess your own personal finance situation and see if you might need more insurance. If you have an above average net worth, you might need more protection. 

Here is the full list by state. Note: these numbers are subject to change. Other restrictions to insurance may apply.

Alabama 

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Alaska

• Bodily Injury: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person and $100,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Arizona

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $15,000 property damage liability per accident

Arkansas

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

California

• Bodily Injury: $15,000 bodily injury liability per person and $30,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $5,000 property damage liability per accident

Colorado

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $15,000 property damage liability per accident

Connecticut

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $20,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person and $40,000 per accident

Delaware

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident

Florida

• Bodily Injury: None
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $10,000 personal injury protection

Georgia

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Hawaii

• Bodily Injury: $20,000 bodily injury liability per person and $40,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• Personal Injury Protection:  $10,000 personal injury protection

Idaho

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $15,000 property damage liability per accident

Illinois

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $20,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident

Indiana

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $20,000 property damage liability per accident

Iowa

• Bodily Injury: $20,000 bodily injury liability per person and $40,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $15,000 property damage liability per accident

Kansas

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $4,500 in medical expenses, up to $900 per month for disability or loss of income, $25 per day for in-home services, $4,500 for rehabilitation, $2,000 for funeral burial or cremation costs

Kentucky

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $10,000 aggregate

Louisiana

• Bodily Injury: $15,000 bodily injury liability per person and $30,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Maine

• Bodily Injury: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person and $100,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $100,000 per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $2,000 medical payments coverage

Maryland

• Bodily Injury: $30,000 bodily injury liability per person and $60,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $15,000 property damage liability per accident

Massachusetts

• Bodily Injury: $20,000 bodily injury liability per person and $40,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $5,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $20,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $40,000 per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $8,000 aggregate

Michigan

• Bodily Injury: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person and $100,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident

Minnesota

• Bodily Injury: $30,000 bodily injury liability per person and $60,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $40,000 aggregate

Mississippi

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Missouri

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident

Montana

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $20,000 property damage liability per accident

Nebraska

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident

Nevada

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $20,000 property damage liability per accident

New Hampshire

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

New Jersey

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $5,000 property damage liability per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident

New Mexico

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident

New York

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Death Liability: $50,000 liability for death per person and $100,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $50,000 aggregate

North Carolina

• Bodily Injury: $30,000 bodily injury liability per person and $60,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $30,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $60,000 per accident and $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage per accident

North Dakota

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $30,000 aggregate

Ohio

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Oklahoma

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Oregon

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $20,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $15,000 aggregate

Pennsylvania

• Bodily Injury: $15,000 bodily injury liability per person and $30,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $5,000 property damage liability per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $5,000 in medical benefits

Rhode Island

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

South Carolina

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident and $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage

South Dakota

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident

Tennessee

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $15,000 property damage liability per accident

Texas

• Bodily Injury: $30,000 bodily injury liability per person and $60,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident

Utah

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $65,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $15,000 property damage liability per accident
• Personal Injury Protection: $3,000 aggregate

Virginia

• Bodily Injury: $30,000 bodily injury liability per person and $60,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $20,000 property damage liability per accident

Vermont

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person and $100,000 per accident and $10,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage per accident

Washington

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident

Washington D.C.

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident and $5,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage per accident

West Virginia

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident and $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage coverage

Wisconsin

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• Uninsured Motorist: $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person and $50,000 per accident

Wyoming

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person and $50,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $20,000 property damage liability per accident 

Final Reminders

As you can see, shopping for car insurance as a college student can be confusing. There are so many options, things to remember, and you want to make sure you're going to be fully insured.

If you don't want to think about it, check out Liberty Mutual, our number one recommendation for car insurance for college students. In about 10 minutes you can get your insurance taken care of online. Check out Liberty Mutual here.

If you don't drive much, consider using one of the alternative options we provided. If you have your own car, check out Metromile. Pay as you drive car insurance is about as low cost as you'll find. If you don't even own a car, look at simply using services like Zipcar for the few times you need to rent one.

Hopefully, this helps you cut through the uncertainty about shopping and comparing auto insurance.