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Student Car Insurance For College and University Students

Student life can be hectic especially when you consider all the challenges that come with it. As a student, you will usually be busy and trying to save as much money as possible. It is thus important to understand the complexities of getting your car insured in order to get the policy that covers all your needs without emptying your bank account. Student car insurance is a form of vehicle insurance policy that caters to the unique needs that come with student life.
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Do I need car insurance as a student?

Yes, anyone who wishes to drive a car on the roads in the UK is legally required to get their car insured. It is a legal requirement to at least have a minimum level of car insurance that can cover any third-person liability that may arise due to any unfortunate event.
Failure to insure your car may result in you facing legal repercussions such as:

  • A monetary penalty.
  • Six penalty points on your license.
  • Getting your vehicle seized.
  • Being disqualified from driving if the case goes to court.

What are the types of car insurance a student can get?

In the UK you can choose from the following types of car insurance policies, each catering to different levels of needs that you may have as a student.

Third-party only:

The minimum level of coverage required by the law in the UK is third-party-only coverage. It financially covers any third-party liabilities that may happen as a result of an accident, or a collision, in which your car was involved.

Third-party, fire, and theft:

A third-party, fire, and theft insurance policy will financially cover your vehicle in case of any damage that it sustains during a fire incident, and the cost of any repairs or replacement of your vehicle, if the vehicle gets stolen. It also covers any third-party property damage or body injuries, the same as third-party-only coverage.

Comprehensive:

This is the highest level of coverage that you can get for your car in the UK. A comprehensive insurance policy covers damages to your car that are sustained in any accident, collision, natural disaster, fire incident, theft, act of violence, or riot. It also financially covers the injuries that you sustain as a result of a car accident, in addition to covering any third-party liability in which your car was involved.
As a student, you should consider all of your needs and requirements to analyse what you actually want in an insurance policy.
student driver car UK

What is not covered?

Insurance companies usually specify the costs which are not claimable. Some of the most common costs which are not covered by insurers include:

  • You are not allowed to claim any recovery charges for the routine wear and tear of your car.
  • If someone who is not on the named driver’s list of insurance, drives your vehicle, then you will not be able to claim any recovery charges if the car is damaged. However, this policy might differ among some insurers.
  • If you drive the car under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then you are not eligible to claim any damages incurred due to the influence of drugs.
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What is generally included in the coverage?

The services offered by student car insurance policies may vary among different insurance companies based on their business policies and the prices they charge. Here’s what is usually covered by students’ vehicle insurance policies.

  • Damage Coverage: Car insurance providers cover the cost of vehicle damage due to accidents or car theft.
  • Third-Party Property Damage: Some insurers allow coverage for damages caused to third parties in an accident.
  • Injuries Cost: You can get a recovery for the injuries caused to you in an accident if this term is included in the insurance deed.
  • Legal Expenditures: Some insurance companies allow you to claim costs related to legal expenses if your car is involved in an accident.
  • Windscreen Repair Coverage: You may get reimbursement to repair the damaged windscreen of your car from insurance companies.
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student driver car UK
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Is car insurance for students expensive?

Typically, you can expect to pay a higher amount for your insurance policy as a student. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Age: If you are a student, you are most likely young and inexperienced. Young drivers are more likely to be part of a car accident and hence they are seen as high-risk drivers, making insurance providers charge them more for their insurance plan.
  • Limited credit history: Young students typically do not have enough credit history to prove to their insurance providers that they are low-risk drivers. This lack of driving record makes insurance providers raise premium prices for your insurance policy.
  • No-claim discount: Students who are younger in age often do not have a track record long enough to build a no-claim discount, hence, keeping the price of their insurance policy high.
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What are the benefits of temporary car insurance for students?

If you are a student who is looking to drive their car for short periods and does not have a use for a long-term policy, temporary car insurance may save you from spending a huge sum on something you won’t even use for the most part.
Temporary student car insurance allows you to meet the legal requirement of being insured whenever you need to drive, so you can avoid any legal consequences. Whether you want to go for a short vacation with your friends or want to take a short trip to the grocery store and have no one else to drive for you, you can choose to get temporary car insurance. Here are some types of temporary car insurance for 18 years old or above:

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Hourly:

If you need to drive your vehicle for a very short period, you can get yourself insured on an hourly basis. This type of temporary car insurance is best suited in cases where your driving needs do not extend to days, such as test-driving or taking a new car home from the dealership.
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Daily:

You can choose to get daily car insurance for your car if your driving needs are limited to a single day. Such a car insurance policy can be useful if your driving needs are limited to a day such as in cases in which you are borrowing a car or sharing a car on a road trip.
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Weekly:

If your present driving needs are not satisfied with daily car insurance and you require car insurance which extends to several days, you can opt for weekly coverage for yourself. Weekly car insurance will grant you a cover for seven days making it a good choice for work trips or even when you are between annual insurance policies.

What is short term student car insurance?

As a student, you may not have the need to drive your vehicle on a daily basis, making it financially exhausting to pay for a full year-long insurance policy. Temporary car insurance is created to cater to the needs of those who do not have regular driving needs in order for them to not spend a huge amount on their insurance policy. Whether you want to get registered on a housemate’s car for a short period or borrow one from your parents, temporary car insurance can be the right fit for you.

How can I get cheap car insurance for students?

The price of your student car insurance policy may depend on a number of factors including experience and risk involved with your car and you, as a student, are more likely to pay more for your insurance policy. However, there are various ways that can help you reduce the price of your insurance policy:

1

Choose a car in a lower insurance group:

In the UK, cars are categorized into insurance groups ranging from 1-50 with 50 being the highest group and most expensive to insure as well. Your car insurance group is decided ultimately by the overall value of your car and the cost of repair that can arise in case of an accident. Choosing a car with less monetary value and a smaller engine can put you in a lower insurance group, reducing your student car insurance policy costs.

2

Pay at once:

If you choose to pay your premium cost all at one go you may find that you are getting a cheaper deal when compared to paying on a monthly basis. Paying at once, hence, can be a good way to save on your insurance policy.

3

Increase voluntary excess:

Excess, being the amount that you are required to pay towards a claim in case of any unfortunate event followed by a claim can be a good way to reduce your premium prices. Voluntary excess is the type of excess that you choose to pay on your own. You can choose to pay any amount you want in voluntary excess and the higher you choose for it, the lower your premium prices will be.

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Low mileage:

A major determinant of your insurance costs is your mileage. The amount of miles you drive directly affects your policy price as insurers like to get an estimate of how much the car will be used. As a student, you can keep your yearly mileage low by opting to use your car less frequently This can reduce your insurance policy price significantly.

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Look into pay-as-you-go insurance:

Pay-as-you-go insurance is a good alternative insurance policy for those who do not drive their vehicles regularly. In this unique type of insurance, you will be expected to pay only for the miles that you drive. Your insurance provider will set up a tracker inside your vehicle to determine the actual number of miles that drive and will charge you accordingly.

6

Try telematics:

One reason for higher policy rates for students is the unavailability of past records that can vouch for them being safe drivers. With telematics car insurance, your insurance provider will be able to assess how safely you are driving through a black box installed inside your vehicle. Using such an insurance policy will ensure that you are rewarded for safe driving in the form of discounts on your policy.

7

Ensure security:

The security risks involved with your vehicle are also significant in deciding how much you will be paying for your insurance. Your insurance provider will base your insurance price on the risk involved, hence, any measure you can take to reduce the risk that is there with your vehicle such as parking your car at a secure spot or using security tools that can provide additional safety such as an alarm or a tracker can possibly reduce the overall price of your insurance policy.

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Add an experienced driver:

You can try adding an experienced driver like an older sibling or a parent to your insurance policy as a named driver. Your named driver needs to use the car every now and then even an occasional use may affect your premium prices a lot as long as the driver you add has a good driving record.

What car insurance extras can I get?

The extras that you can add to your insurance policy are often different with different providers, however, here is a list of some general add-ons that can prove to be beneficial to you as a student:

  • Breakdown cover: A breakdown cover is an extra that aims to provide assistance if your vehicle breaks down in the middle of a road. Your provider will usually provide roadside assistance such as repairs in the breakdown cover extra.
  • Misfuelling cover: If you find yourself putting the wrong fuel in your vehicle by accident, the misfuelling cover can come in handy. This cover will cover the cost of draining and refilling your vehicle to reach the nearest fuel station.
  • Courtesy car: This type of car insurance provides you with an extra vehicle if your car is away for repairs or is currently not driveable.
  • No-claim discount protection: An important extra that you can add to your policy is a no-claim discount protection which will protect your no-claim discount even if you make a claim. You can decide the number of claims that you are allowed to make without affecting your no-claim discount with your insurance provider. A no-claim discount will not, however, protect your insurance price from increasing while renewing your policy.

Does the type of car you own impact the price of student driver insurance?

The type of car you own also impacts the price of student car insurance. Expensive cars are costly to fix if they are damaged, which is translated in the form of expensive insurance premiums charged by the insurance providers. If you have a limited car insurance budget, then it’s better to choose a car which has a smaller engine and doesn’t have a high price tag.

Insurance companies consider the model, purchase price, and technology of the car to decide a suitable insurance premium price. For advanced technology vehicles, the repairing costs are usually higher, so expect to pay high premiums if you have the latest car models with advanced technology.

Here is how the model of the car affects insurance price:

  • Value of the Vehicle: The higher the value of the vehicle, the higher the insurance premium expense will be. This is because replacement expenses are usually higher than low-cost cars.
  • Vehicle Performance: Cars which are considered high-performance usually are at high risk of damage, therefore, it might cost you more to insure such cars.
  • Features: The security features of your car may aid you in qualifying for lower-premium car insurance groups. If you have alarms or immobilisers installed in your vehicle, the risk of threat can be significantly reduced, which assists in finding cheaper vehicle insurance policies.

Therefore, it is essential to analyse the insurance groups, as the car you own will impact the price. If your car type is in a lower insurance group, then you can get cheaper insurance policies. Having know-how about which are the cheapest car insurance groups can aid you in leasing the right car as per your budget. For students, some of the cars that are in the low insurance group include Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, and Kia Picanto.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fronting?

Fronting is the process of declaring another experienced driver as the main driver in your policy to reduce your premium prices even when you are doing most of the driving. Fronting is an illegal activity and can cause legal repercussions.

Do I need insurance even while learning?

Yes, you are required to get insurance even while you are learning.

What is SORN?

SORN stands for statutory off-road notification, which is a legal status granted to your vehicle, declaring it officially off-road. If you are not going to use your car while you are away you can make a SORN for it which will exempt you from insuring your car as long as it is parked inside your home.

Which address should I use as a student?

You should register your vehicle with the address where it will be parked for most of the time which will likely be your student accommodation address. However, this can cost you a bit more due to student-populated areas that can be seen as high-risk by insurers.

What is short-term student car insurance?

A short-term student insurance policy allows you to get coverage for a shorter duration like one to twenty-eight days. This policy suits those who only drive occasionally, and like to go home or drive while on vacations. The number of days allowed in student car insurance may vary among different insurance providers.

How to continue insurance when I leave university?

Once you leave the university, you may be required to shift from student car insurance to another type of policy. It usually depends on the insurance provider you have chosen whether they update your current policy or not. Some insurers might require you to register again with a changed occupation and new address.

Are students eligible for discounts on car insurance?

It is unlikely that students can get discounts while opting for car insurance, but you can compare the prices offered by different insurers to find the best deal. Quote comparison can aid you in finding the best policy that meets your needs and budget.

Can I get car insurance if am learning to drive?

Students can opt for insurance for a learner driver policy if they are learning to drive in a friend’s or family member’s car. However, if you are learning from an instructor, then you might be charged for the insurance expense in the price of the training session.

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