Student Discount for Car Insurance

If you cover a student-aged driver on your car insurance policy — or are one yourself — it can be tough to find affordable coverage. Given their lack of driving experience, drivers aged 16 to 25 pay nearly 80 percent more per year than the average driver: $1,799 per six-month policy, versus the US average of $1,004. Although this rate hike varies from state to state, most car insurance companies offer discounts for students with GPAs of 3.0 or above. Coupled with a good driver discount, a good student discount can lead to savings of $186 per year on car insurance.

The above figures are not insurance company- or state-specific, so pricing variability will exist. Let’s break down the best good student car insurance discounts by company.

GEICO offers three ways to earn a student discount on auto insurance. A good student discount, a good driver discount, and an affinity membership discount. In order to earn a good student discount, you must maintain a “B” or better average. To qualify for good driver savings, need to maintain a clean driving record for five or more years. To receive affinity membership insurance perks through GEICO, you'll need to be a member of a fraternity, sorority, or honor society.

Nationwide offers several student discount options. The resident student discount caters to college students leaving their vehicles at their parents' home. The discount is eligible to policyholders with a college student residing 100 miles or further from their parents' home. Nationwide's discount relies on the assumption this student driver won't be using the vehicle as often, making them less likely to file a claim.

The main student car insurance discount Allstate advertises is a good student discount. Eligible drivers must be aged 16 to 24, and maintain a grade average of "B" or better. Homeschooled drivers must show proof of performing at or above the 20th percentile in the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.

Aside from its standard student discounts, State Farm offers a unique way for young drivers to save. State Farm's Steer Clear program allows young drivers to earn a safe driving certificate via a mobile app. The program requires:

State Farm does not advertise an exact rate of discount available through its Steer Clear program.

State Farm offers discounts for students away from home, good drivers, and good students. To earn State Farm's good student discount — of up to 25 percent — a driver must keep their GPA above 3.0.

Liberty Mutual advertises two ways for students to save on auto insurance: a membership discount via an alumni association or professional affiliation and a student away from home savings package. The former requires you live 100 miles away from the residence listed on the policy.

Progressive's good student discount requires the ongoing maintenance of a "B" or better-level GPA. Progressive's college student savings offer is eligible to college-enrolled drivers aged 22 or younger.

If you qualify for USAA car insurance coverage, you could earn a good student discount. USAA good student eligibility requirements include:

To earn Farmers’ good student discount, a driver must be 16 to 24 years old, enrolled in school full-timeand maintaining an average grade of "B" or better. Earning Dean’s List or Honor Roll inclusion also qualifies a student for Farmers' discount.

Failing to qualify for a good student discount doesn't necessarily mean you can't find cheap car insurance. Shop around, weighing as many options as possible: a number of rating factors are used to determine your insurance premium, and different companies will price policies differently based on these factors.

See below premium estimates for young drivers without a good student discount. These pricing estimates show rates for a teen added to a car insurance policy with two parents. View our full methodology here.