Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students in New York 2025

If you are a driver under the age of 25, then you’re going to pay more for car insurance than any other age group. This can make finding affordable car insurance quite difficult. That’s why I’ve identified the most affordable insurance carriers for you.

After careful analysis, NYCM had the most affordable coverage for college students in New York, at an average annual rate of $1,008. Whereas Progressive has the lowest rates for a full coverage policy, averaging $1,416 per year.

Best Car Insurance Companies For College Students In New York

When selecting car insurance for college students in New York, you need to consider your priorities and pick a policy that matches your needs, whether that is low rates or comprehensive coverage.

Use the table below to see our picks for the best auto insurers for students in New York.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Cheapest Liability-Only Car Insurance For College Students In New York

Minimum coverage policies are often an effective way to decrease overall costs, but can leave you vulnerable in an accident. These low-cost plans will only cover the state minimum insurance needed to operate a vehicle, which means paying expenses out of pocket.

Minimum coverage policies are great options for college students as they provide the insurance needed to drive legally while keeping costs low.

As you can see from the table below, NYCM is the cheapest average option at $504 per year.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance For College Students In New York

College students who commute to campus or routinely drive for work should consider a full coverage policy over minimum coverage. These plans offer additional protection, often including liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.

While the full coverage policies offer more protection, they come at a higher cost. It’s essential to weigh the benefits of the additional insurance against the extra monthly cost.

Progressive is the cheapest full coverage car insurance policy for students in New York, at an average annual rate of $1,416.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students With Low-Mileage In New York

If you’re a college student who doesn’t plan on driving much throughout the school year, there’s no reason to pay for insurance you don’t need. While you’ll still need to maintain the state minimum auto insurance, most low-mileage policies offer discounted rates if you stay below a certain number of miles yearly.

The limit will vary between insurance companies but is usually around 7,500 to 10,000 miles annually.

Use the table below to view the cheapest low-mileage rates for college drivers in New York.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Cheapest Car Insurance For College Students With Driving Violations In New York

Driving violations can significantly increase the amount a driver pays for monthly coverage, regardless of age. College students will likely experience an even more significant rate increase after an accident or ticket due to their already high-risk rating.

One way to mitigate the damage of a driving violation is to work with a company like Preferred Mutual that specializes in insuring motorists with a history of tickets or accidents.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For College Students In New York – By City

Where you live in New York can have a significant impact on your car insurance premiums.

Use the table below to view average rates for different cities in New York.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 18-Year-Old College Students In New York

USAA offers the cheapest rates for 18-year-old college drivers in New York, at an average monthly cost of $244.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 19-Year-Old College Students In New York

GEICO provides the cheapest policy for 19-year-old college students in New York, averaging $312 per month.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 20-Year-Old College Students In New York

The cheapest auto insurance rates for a 20-year-old college driver can be found with GEICO, averaging $321 per month.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 21-Year-Old College Students In New York

The most affordable college student car insurance policy for a 21-year-old can be found at Progressive, with an average monthly cost of $175.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 22-Year-Old College Students In New York

22-year-old student car insurance can be found from $165 per month, with a State Farm auto policy.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 23-Year-Old College Students In New York

23-year-old college drivers can find affordable insurance from USAA at an average monthly cost of $163.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 24-Year-Old College Students In New York

The cheapest car insurance policy for a 24-year-old college student is $210 per month, which can be found with State Farm.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance For 25-Year-Old College Students In New York

USAA offers the cheapest auto policies for 25-year-old college students in New York at $190 per month.

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

Average Cost Of Car Insurance On Family Policy Vs. Individual Policy

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.

How Can College Students Save Money On Car Insurance In New York

Unfortunately, for most college students, average car insurance rates are significantly more expensive than for drivers in their mid to late 20s. So, if you don’t have the option of staying on a parent’s or guardian’s car insurance policy, you’ll need to find ways to lower the monthly premium payment.

The following strategies will provide you with some tips and strategies you can use to make car insurance more affordable.

Affiliation Discounts

For many students, clubs and organizations are a great way to get involved in campus life. These groups can also provide additional benefits outside the university, like unlocking access to certain discounts. Depending on your insurance carrier, belonging to a sorority, fraternity, honor society, or alumni group could help lower your monthly premium.

Student Discounts

Most people are familiar with student discounts that involve achieving good grades. However, there are several other discounts that college students can qualify for, including:

• Distant college student discount
• Safe driver discount
• Driver’s education discount

Security and Safety Improvements

While some of the other strategies on the list are specific to college students, this tip can apply to any driver, regardless of age. Many insurance companies will reward you with a lower premium rate if you install devices or improve your vehicle, enhancing its overall security and safety.

For example, installing anti-theft mechanisms like a car alarm can help decrease your car insurance policy by as much as 5%.

Used vs. New

Many parents purchase a new vehicle for their kids as a graduation present. Even though it can provide better gas savings, owning a newer car can be more costly to insure. Since new vehicles cost more to repair or replace, insurance companies will increase rates to reflect the added risk.

Do College Students Need Their Own Insurance, Or Can They Stay On A Parent’s?

Even though insurance is usually definitive with its answers, whether or not you’ll need your own insurance as a college student will depend on various factors. Let’s look at different scenarios where you could potentially stay on your family plan and where you would need to look for coverage on your own.

Keeping Students on a Family Car Insurance Policy

Unlike health insurance, where there is an age limit to how long a child can stay on their parents’ health insurance policy, there isn’t a limit for car insurance. Any children who live at home with their parents or use their parents’ permanent address while at college can still maintain coverage on their auto insurance policy.

Purchasing Coverage as a College Student

The main reason a college student would need to purchase their own coverage would be due to changing their address. Once a person, including college students, has a new permanent address different from their parents, they must buy a new car insurance policy.

Car Insurance Considerations For College Students Out Of State

It is possible for college students in New York to stay on their parents’ policy, even if they are going to college in another state, so long as:

• You maintain a primary residence in New York at your parents’ home
• You keep their New York driving license
• Your parents own the car you are driving
• You plan on returning to New York at the end of your semester

Temporary car insurance

While not every car insurance provider will offer temporary coverage, it can be a fantastic option for college students who won’t be driving frequently.

Temporary auto insurance policies typically provide six-month coverage and allow customers to cancel once the period ends. This policy enables college students to avoid paying for additional months of coverage they won’t need while at school; It can also be a great option for students who plan to study abroad for a semester.

Try usage-based car insurance

Usage-based car insurance is similar to telematics in that it also tracks a driver’s behaviors behind the wheel. However, it also has another component that is especially appealing to college students.

With usage-based car insurance, you can receive discounts and lower premiums by driving less yearly. These “Pay-Per-Mile” (or pay-as-you-go) plans are an effective way to find affordable coverage if you keep your vehicle in the dorm lot or at home for most of the school year.

Telematics car insurance for college students

As a college student, finding creative ways to save on car insurance is important. One of the most effective ways to lower your monthly premium is through telematics.

Telematics are devices insurance companies use to track and analyze how you drive. The safer you drive, the better your rates will be, and the more likely you will receive discounts for being a safe driver.

How To Get Discounts As A College Student

Car insurance can be costly for college students, especially if any tickets or accidents are on your driving record. One way to help minimize the cost of coverage is through carrier-provided discounts.

While every car insurance company will have its own list of discounts available for policyholders, the following are a few you’ll want to look into before purchasing a plan:

• Paid in full
• Multi-vehicle
• Multi-policy
• Military
• Student away
• Good student
• Safe driver
• Defensive driving
• Low mileage
• Accident-free

How To Buy Car Insurance As A College Student In New York

As a college student, purchasing your first auto insurance policy can be stressful. Luckily, platforms like Insuranceopedia make the car insurance shopping experience easy and enjoyable.

While these websites allow you to quickly compare rates from multiple providers, you’ll still need some information handy to navigate the process. Below is an overview of the steps you’ll want to take to purchase your next auto insurance policy:

• Step 1: Gather all important information ahead of time (eg, vehicle information, driver’s license numbers, policy member personal information, and driving history)
• Step 2: Identify the amount of coverage you’ll need to comply with New York law
• Step 3: Decide whether to purchase your policy online or through a local agent
• Step 4: Compare at least three auto insurance quotes from different carriers
• Step 5: Purchase your policy and update your previous car insurance company about the transition

New York Car Insurance Laws

New York is one of the many states requiring motorists to carry auto insurance if they plan on operating a vehicle. While most of the required coverages are similar to other places in the United States, New York drivers must also obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

New York auto insurance requirements include:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $10,000 property damage liability per accident
• $50,000 personal injury protection
• $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident

Compare College Student Rates To Other U.S. States

* These figures are estimates based on general market trends, and they may differ from your actual rate.