There are few times in our lives more exciting than heading off to college. You’ll be heading to a new place with new classes and new friends and, perhaps more than anything, a new level of independence. If you’re a college student bringing a car to campus, or a parent helping your student prepare, make sure not to overlook automotive insurance! Today we’re here to give you some insurance tips so that you have the information you need to head to campus prepared, whether you’re moving out or commuting from home.
Who Needs to Be on the Policy?
Our first piece of advice is to know exactly who needs to be listed on your policy. If the vehicle is registered in a parent’s name and the student still lives at home – even part-time – then the student can typically stay on the family’s auto policy just fine. This is typically the best and most affordable option, but it’s not always possible.
For example, if the student owns and pays for their own vehicle, or if they live independently year-round, they might be required to get their own policy. You’ll have to speak with your agent directly to determine the best setup based on ownership, residency and driving habits.
Student Away at School Discounts
You should always be searching for discounts whenever possible with insurance, and one good one to look out for if you’re heading off to college is a Student Away at School discount. A lot of providers offer these discounts, but typically only for students who are attending a college more than 100 miles from home and aren’t bringing a vehicle with them. So, while this won’t help if your student is taking a car to school with them, it’s a way to reduce your premiums if you want to keep them covered for when they come home.
Maintain Good Grades
While you won’t be getting physical report cards once you head off to college, you’ll be able to see your grades through an online portal. If you maintain good grades – typically, if you maintain a B average or higher – a lot of insurers will still provide Good Student Discounts to further reduce your premiums. Print your transcripts each semester and forward them to your agent, and you might be rewarded for your hard work!
Consider Comprehensive & Collision Coverage
If the vehicle your student is driving is a newer model or is still being financed, it might be required for them to have comprehensive and collision coverage — which covers damage from many things like accidents, theft, vandalism and natural disasters. If they have an older vehicle, they might only be required to have liability coverage, but you should still consider comprehensive and collision coverage. It’s an extra cost, but there are few better ways to make sure your child and their vehicle are properly covered.
Update Your Address & Driving Habits
Many different things affect your insurance rates, including where the vehicle is being primarily kept. So, if your student is moving to a new city or state, you need to let your provider know. Things like local traffic, crime rates and accident statistics can change their rate. You should also be honest about how often the car is driven, as a student who only drives on weekends or holidays may qualify for a low-mileage discount. But being dishonest or neglecting to tell your agent about a change in location can lead to denied claims, policy cancellation and even insurance fraud.
Get Your Student Covered with the Glover Family
These are just a few of the top insurance tips to help your family stay on track with their automotive insurance. If you’re looking for new coverage for your student or your whole family, don’t hesitate to reach out to us right here at Glover Family Independent Insurance. We’d be happy to help you figure out what kind of coverage is right for your student and send them off to college better prepared. We look forward to hearing from you!
