How to Get Cheap Student Car Insurance

As if paying for an education weren’t enough of a financial hardship, college students also have to deal with the cost of car insurance, which can be prohibitively expensive for those under 25. What’s more, many students attend schools in populous urban areas or college towns, both of which typically come with inflated auto insurance premiums.

But before you resign yourself to the fact that cheap student car insurance is out of the question, know that there are several things you can do to minimize the cost of your auto insurance policy. Even if you are not a student, you can take advantage of the different ways to get a cheap auto insurance quote. Of course, your rates will remain comparatively high if you’re under age 25, but that doesn’t mean your coverage will be unaffordable. Here’s what you can do to get cheap student auto insurance rates:

1. Hit the books. Auto insurers have found that good students also tend to be good drivers, and the student discount car insurance is the result. Most insurers offer some type of good-student discount, but how they define a “good student” will vary. Contact your insurer to see how high your GPA or class rank has to be in order to qualify.
2. Drive carefully. Good drivers are much more likely to find cheap student car insurance, so keep your record free of accidents and tickets.
3. See if you qualify for the low-mileage discount. If you live close to campus, you probably don’t drive very often, which means you probably qualify for the low-mileage discount with your car insurance company.
4. Have your parents put you on their policy. Depending on your situation, student car insurance may be substantially cheaper if you can get on or stay on your parents’ auto policy. In some cases, however, it may be cheaper to have your own policy.
5. Keep your credit report clean. Pay your bills on time, and don’t rack up a large amount of credit card debt while you’re in school. Auto insurers partially base your premiums on your credit score, so keep yours high.
6. Complete a defensive driving class. You might be able to get cheap student car insurance if you successfully pass an approved defensive-driving class.
7. Don’t ever drive uninsured. No matter how expensive student auto insurance may be, don’t ever forgo coverage. Not only is doing so against the law, but the gap in coverage will also make the premiums on your next policy higher.
8. Don’t drive drunk. Cheap student auto insurance is basically a guaranteed impossibility if you get a DUI or DWI on your driving record. Don’t drive after you’ve been drinking…ever.
9. Choose your car carefully. The kind of car you choose will directly influence the premiums of your student car insurance policy. Before deciding on a vehicle, get car insurance quotes to see how much it would cost to keep insured.
10. Think about going without a car. Some students need a car, but others who live close to campus and have access to public transportation can probably save more money by doing without one.