Best Car Insurance For College Students In California 2024

California has over 750 higher educational institutions, including universities, community colleges, private colleges, and vocational schools. The majority of these public and private institutions are located in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.

Each of these areas is prone to significantly high levels of traffic accidents and moving violations, particularly among college students. Population growth in Sacramento has led to teen driver crash fatalities increasing by 14.8%.

In the greater San Francisco Bay Area, college drivers account for the highest crash rates of all age groups. Los Angeles is one of the most densely populated regions in the state, and with it comes the highest accident rate in California, with over 50% of fatal car accidents involving teen drivers. San Diego college drivers account for over 20% of all car accidents each year.

Average Rates For College Students In California- By City

Average Rates For 18 Year Old College Students In California

Car Insurance Costs In California For 19 Year Old College Students

College Student Insurance Rates For 20 Year Olds In California

Cost Of Car Insurance For 21 Year Old College Students In California

Average Rates For 22 Year Old College Students In California

Average Rates For 23 Year Old College Students In California

Car Insurance Rates In California For 24 Year Old College Students

Average Rates For 25 Year Old College Students In California

Average Rates On Family Policy vs. Individual Policy

How Can College Students Save Money On Car Insurance In California

Given these higher risks, the cost of insurance for college students is subsequently higher. In fact, car insurance rates are considerably higher for drivers under 20, and even more so if drivers are not put on a parent or guardian’s policy.

However, there are ways that college students in California can save on their car insurance premiums.

Vehicle Safety and Security Upgrades

All drivers can qualify for discounts by making safety and security improvements to their vehicles. Adding anti-theft devices or vehicle recovery systems and having anti-lock brakes and airbags can reduce costs.

Student Discounts

Companies like Progressive do not offer discounts for being a good student with a B average or better or going to a school 100 miles from home like other companies.

This means that the majority of the student discounts that college drivers can get in California center on safe driving and completing programs that monitor driver habits.

Traditional defensive driving course criteria applies to older drivers however, California college students can qualify for discounts when they install driving behavior software and maintain a good record free from accidents and claims for 3 years in a row.

Used vs. New

When considering a new or used vehicle as a graduation gift, for newer drivers, insurance rates tend to be higher on a new vehicle despite the discounts that are afforded by the increased safety features and better mileage.

Affiliation Discounts

Many students find that being part of campus clubs or fraternities and sororities can enrich the social experience, but it can enrich the bank account too. Some groups can earn discounts in California, especially alumni discounts.

Geico, for example, gives discounts in California to members of sororities, fraternities, and alumni associations, averaging between 3% and 5% per year.

Do College Students Need Their Own Car Insurance?

In California, students who don’t bring a car to college and keep their parents’ home listed as their permanent address can remain on their own policy.

This is even true for those who temporarily reside in student housing, an apartment, or a dorm room while away at college. Certain discounts can be applied if a student does not use their vehicle and only uses it while home on the holidays.

However, college students who own their vehicle, have it titled under their name only, and have their own residence will need to take out a different policy.

Note: If you are a college student in California and you have come from out of state, you do not need your own insurance plan if you maintain the same primary residence as your parents. 

Temporary Car Insurance

Temporary coverage may not be offered by every car insurance provider, but it’s a fantastic choice for college students who won’t be driving frequent.

Temporary auto insurance often provides six months of coverage, with the option to cancel when the period concludes. This policy is great for college students who don’t need additional months of insurance while at school or for those studying abroad for a semester.

Usage-Based Car Insurance

Usage-based car insurance is similar to telematics in that it tracks driver behavior, but it also offers an additional benefit that appeals to college students.

With usage-based car insurance, you can save money with discounts and lower premiums by driving less each year. These “Pay-Per-Mile” plans offer a budget-friendly coverage option if your car stays parked in the dorm lot or at home for most of the school year.

How To Buy Car Insurance As A College Student In California

Navigating the purchase of your first auto insurance policy as a college student can be stressful, but platforms like Insuranceopedia can help you compare several providers with the same information.

Before you start searching for a policy, make sure you gather information like your driver history, vehicle data, driver’s license, and other personal information.

Create your budget so you know how much you can afford for your premiums as well as your deductible. When you use platforms to compare different policies you can play around with changes to things like deductibles and premiums and see the inverse relationship. This will help you determine exactly how much you can afford.

When that is done, you can use online sites to enter your information, compare policies, and pick the one that you like most.

Picking a new policy can be done in person or online, and after you select your policy and pay for your first premium, you’ll get your insurance information in the mail.

Telematics Car Insurance For College Students

For college students, saving on car insurance is a priority. One of the most effective ways to lower your monthly premium is through telematics.

Telematics devices, used by insurance companies, monitor and analyze your driving behavior. The safer you drive, the better your rates, and the more likely you are to receive safe driver discounts.

How To Get Discounts

If you are a college student and you are looking to reduce the cost of your policy, especially after an accident or moving violation, you can check with your insurance carrier.

Car insurance companies offer a range of discounts for their policyholders, and these are contingent upon the items listed above, such as being part of an affiliate sorority or campus organization, keeping good grades, or installing vehicle safety devices. Other options might also include paying for your premiums annually instead of monthly, keeping multiple insurance products under the same policy, being on active duty, keeping your driving to a minimum, and keeping yourself free from accidents and violations where possible.

Common Auto Insurance Claims In California

In California the most common claims are accident claims resulting from highway collisions and these often include rear-end damage as well as damage to windshields.

The second most common claim is bodily injury claims for the injuries sustained in these types of accidents.

After that, there are many issues with vandalism and theft as well as underinsured motorists or uninsured motorists where undocumented drivers are involved in accidents and don’t have the insurance to cover any damages or injuries.

California Car Insurance Laws To Know

In California, drivers must maintain a minimum of $15,000 in coverage for injury or death to a single person (bodily injury category), $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person, and $5,000 for property damage.*

Drivers must have what is called personal injury protection coverage and that pays for medical expenses or lost wages for people who are injured in the accident no matter who was at fault.

California requires that drivers also have collision and comprehension coverage and carry proof of all coverages mentioned above while driving.

If involved in any accident, drivers have to file a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR1) with the DMV whether or not they were at fault.

*Note: Starting January 1, 2025, the minimum liability insurance requirements will increase from $15,000, $30,000, and $5,000 to $30,000, $60,000, and $15,000, respectively.