How to save money on car insurance when your kids head to college

Hero Images Inc // Shutterstock Sending your child off to college is a momentous occasion filled with excitement and, let’s be honest, a fair amount of financial planning. CheapInsurance.com takes a look at ways to help ease some of that burden by exploring an often-overlooked area of potential savings, car insurance. This article looks at the world of college students’ car insurance and how your child’s decision about taking a car along with them to school can impact your costs. We’ll break down different scenarios, whether they leave the car at home, become a commuting whiz, or hit the road with their own wheels – and explore how each situation affects the price of car insurance. The goal? To equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and find the most affordable auto insurance coverage for your college student driver. Key Takeaways: Leaving the car at home can lead to significant car insurance savings. Commuter students benefit from maintaining continuous coverage on your policy. Good student discounts can significantly lower insurance premiums for young drivers. Consider car value and location when choosing coverage options for students with vehicles. Whatever your choice – get a personalized auto insurance quote to find the right balance between affordability and protection. Should You Leave the Car at Home? Leaving the car at home can be a great option for students attending college without needing a vehicle. Not only does it eliminate the cost of gas, parking permits, and potential maintenance issues on campus, but it can also lead to significant savings on auto insurance. Here’s why leaving the car behind might be a smart move for your wallet. Reduced Mileage. With your child not driving the car regularly, the overall mileage reported to your insurance company will decrease. Lower mileage often translates to lower cost of car insurance. “Student Away” Discounts. Many insurance companies offer “student away at school” discounts. These discounts acknowledge the reduced risk associated with a car that’s parked for extended periods. Potential Policy Changes. Depending on your situation, you might be able to remove your child from your policy altogether or switch them to a named non-operator status, if your insurance company offers it. Both options can lead to premium reductions. Of course, leaving the car at home isn’t always an option. But before your child packs up the trunk, be sure to weigh the pros and cons and explore how this decision could impact the costs of car insurance. Next Steps If you’re considering leaving the car at home, contact your insurance company to discuss your options and see if you qualify for any student away discounts. Leaving the car at home can be a smart way to free up some cash for college expenses. By understanding the potential discounts and keeping your insurance company informed, you can pay less for car insurance while your child enjoys college life. Commuter Students: Keeping Your Teenager Insured For many families, the college experience doesn’t involve a dorm room and a long distance move. Instead, their student becomes a commuter, zipping back and forth between home and campus. While this approach offers flexibility and potentially lower living costs, it does raise questions about auto insurance. Let’s explore car insurance for commuter students and how keeping them on your policy can be financially beneficial. Maintaining Continuous Coverage. Even if your teen only drives occasionally, keeping them listed as a driver on your policy ensures they maintain a continuous insurance history. This can be beneficial  when they eventually get their own policy, potentially leading to a lower cost for auto insurance down the road. The Power of Discounts. Many insurance companies offer good student discounts for young drivers with good grades. Keeping your teen or young adult on your policy allows them to potentially qualify for these discounts, benefiting the entire family’s premium. Unexpected Situations. Life throws curveballs. Having your teen insured means they’re covered if they need to drive for emergencies, carpool with friends, or borrow a car occasionally, beyond the limits of permissive use coverage on your auto insurance policy . But wait, aren’t there drawbacks?  While keeping your teen on your policy offers advantages, it’s important to consider potential downsides. Adding a young driver, even a commuter, can raise your premium. However, the good student discount and the potential “student away” discount, if they’re not using the car daily, might offset this increase. Be sure to establish clear expectations around car usage with your teen. Responsible driving habits can help maintain the cost of insurance. Hitting the Road: Car Insurance for Students with Vehicles Ah, the freedom of having a car on campus. For many students, their vehicle becomes an extension of their dorm room, offering independence and the ability to explore new places There are important issues to consider regarding car insurance for students who bring their car to college. The Price Factor. Having a young driver with a car on campus can significantly increase your premium. Factors like the car’s age, make, model, value, and your student’s driving record all play a role. Location, Location, Location. Where your student attends college can also impact the price of car insurance. Urban campuses with high parking costs and a lot of traffic might lead to higher premiums compared to rural locations. Exploring Coverage Options. Depending on the value of the car, you might need to consider different coverage options. We’ll discuss liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and help you decide what’s right for your student. Strategies for Saving There’s good news. Here are some ways to potentially lower your auto insurance premium even if your student takes a car to college. Good Student Discounts. As mentioned earlier, good student discounts can be a lifesaver. Encourage your teen to maintain good grades to qualify. Shop Around. Don’t settle for the first insurance quote you get. Get personalized car insurance quotes and compare these with several providers. Smart Car Choices. Encourage your student to consider a safe, reliable, and affordable car. Older, less flashy vehicles typically have lower insurance costs. College Student Driver Insurance Savings – As A Parent Am I Still Protected? We’ve discussed various scenarios and the potential cost savings associated with each. But a crucial question remains: Are there any downsides to these money-saving strategies in terms of coverage? Let’s address your concerns and assure you that you can still get the protection your student driver needs, even with cost saving measures. Minimum Required Coverage. Regardless of discounts or coverage options, state laws mandate minimum liability coverage. This ensures you’re financially protected if your teen causes an accident. Maintaining Safe Driving Habits. The most significant factor in keeping your premiums low is your teen’s driving record. Encourage responsible driving habits and consider defensive driving courses to further reduce risk and potentially qualify for additional discounts. Understanding Coverage Options. A quick look at the different types of car insurance coverages available, and why more insurance coverage might make sense for you and your student. Liability Coverage: This is legally required in most states and covers injuries and property damage caused to others in an accident your teen is at fault for. Collision Coverage: This covers repairs to your student’s car if they collide with another object or vehicle. Comprehensive Coverage: This protects your student’s car from non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, fire, weather damage, and animal collisions. Finding the Right Fit Consider the value of your student’s car, their driving habits, and your budget to determine the optimal coverage combination. Older Cars. If your student drives an older car with a lower value, you might opt for liability only coverage to save money. Newer Cars. For newer cars with higher value, comprehensive coverage alongside liability and collision might be recommended for more well-rounded protection. Flexibility is Key Needs can change. Consider flexible coverage options so you can adjust your student’s policy as needed. For instance, if they leave the car at home for a semester, explore ways to potentially reduce coverage during that time. Remember, finding affordable car insurance doesn’t have to mean sacrificing protection. By considering your options, and finding the best fit, you can ensure your college student has the coverage they need while keeping your budget in check. Conclusion: Finding the Right Coverage for Your College Student College car insurance can be a complex topic, but with the right information, you can make informed decisions and find the most affordable insurance for your student driver. We have explored various scenarios – leaving the car at home, commuting, or bringing a car to campus – and how each situation can impact your car insurance costs.  Evaluate Your Needs. Consider your child’s car usage and living situation to determine the best approach. Compare Policies. Don’t be afraid to compare insurance quotes from different companies. Discounts are Your Friend. Explore all available discounts, like good student discounts and “student away” discounts, to potentially lower the cost of insurance. By planning ahead and taking advantage of available discounts, you can ensure your college student has the right car insurance coverage. Now you can focus on the exciting aspects of sending your child off to college, knowing you’ve made a smart cost-effective decision. This story was produced by CheapInsurance.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.