What College Students (And Their Parents) Should Know about Car Insurance

It’s that time of year when students have gone off to college and are asserting their independence. Since many of them leave near campus and parking is often at a premium, they may not feel the need to have car insurance if they left their vehicle at home. Consider these factors about why you may need car insurance, when you don’t and how to make it more affordable.

The Need for Insurance

Even if you left your car back home and only drive when visiting parents, you must have car insurance. You don’t want to risk an accident as an uninsured driver. If you drive someone else’s vehicle, you want to make sure their policy covers other drivers or you’ll need to have your own insurance. While most policies cover the occasional driver, you don’t want to assume every policy is the same. You also need to know what is considered occasional for that provider.

Your Parents’ Coverage

If you have been listed as a driver on your parents’ policy, you’ll want to think about maintaining that coverage while you’re away at college. It can be less expensive than getting your own policy while you’re under the age of 25. Find out the details about the coverage and compare it to other policies before you make any changes.

Know How to Reduce Your Premiums

Being a young driver will cause you to have higher rates than your parents in most cases. However, you can lower your premiums by doing a few things.

Get good grades – many insurance providers reward students with discounts if they make good grades. The view is that students who make good grades in school are more responsible in other areas.

Check your credit – if you don’t have a credit history, you may pay more than someone with a good credit score. Consider getting a credit card and using it responsibly.

Be a safe driver – take a safe driving course. Many providers give a discount when you complete a class.

Choose the right vehicle – consider insurance premiums when you shop for a new vehicle. Select one that comes with safety features and a good record for crash tests to get lower rates.

Your location and gender will also impact your auto insurance rates. Talk to an agent about ways you can reduce your premiums, including raising your deductible. You may find paying a higher deductible makes your policy more affordable.

Another option is to pay for temporary insurance. This is a relatively new type of policy you only carry when you’re driving a vehicle. If you only drive your car when you’re home for the summer, you may not need to carry coverage the rest of the year.

Talk to an insurance agent to find out the best options for you. Car insurance is necessary if you plan to drive a vehicle, but you can make it affordable to fit in your budget. Protect yourself with the right policy for a college student.

ASA Insurance provides excellent coverage for car and home insurance in the Salt Lake City area with the lowest rates to the English and Spanish communities. Affordable rates and superior service for all home, auto and business/commercial insurance needs.