Car insurance for students

For many young people, going away to university is their first experience of living on a budget. Running a vehicle can be a huge burden on a tight budget, so for students, getting cheap car insurance is important.

Finding cheap student car insurance can be difficult though, because students are seen by insurers as a high risk group.

If you have moved away for your studies, your new address might also have a detrimental effect on the quotes you are offered, as insurers consider the crime rates in the area where the vehicle is kept when they assess your premium.

As a student then, you may be tempted to go for the lowest possible quote available, but you should consider the terms of the policy and what it offers rather than simply opting for the cheapest student car insurance.

Saving money on car insurance for students

Choosing a sensible car with a small engine and no modifications is a common sense way of saving on your insurance premiums, as high-performance vehicles with expensive parts tend to attract higher rates.

If you find that fully-comprehensive cover amounts to more than your actual car is worth, it may be worthwhile comparing the quote against theft only and third party, fire and theft policies. Our comparison tool makes it easy to toggle between the different types of cover to quickly gauge the difference in premiums.

By spending some money on installing security equipment like an immobiliser or car alarm you may be able to lower your premium, provided the insurer approves the equipment.

Agreeing to a mileage limit with the insurance company might help to lower the costs, but you must not agree to a limit which is unfeasible.

Some insurers offer no-claims 'accelerator' policies, where you can earn a year's worth of no-claims discount in as little as nine months.

Shopping around and using our price comparison tool will help you to get a broad view of the market. At moneysupermarket.com we compare more than 100 insurance companies to help you find a competitive deal.

If you have recently passed your test, you might want to consider taking the Pass Plus advanced driving course. It may save you 10% or more on your premium in your first year of driving.

Consider what policy extras you will genuinely need. If you were forced to take your car off the road for a period, would you need a courtesy car to get you between home and university, or would you be able to use public transport in the meantime?