We chose the best car insurance companies for Michigan college students based on average premiums, customer service ratings, discount availability, and range of coverage options offered.
Whether your child becomes a Spartan, a Wolverine, or attends a smaller Michigan college, you’ll want to ensure they have the car insurance they need before they leave for school.
It’s often best for college students to remain on their parents’ car insurance policy while attending school.1 Doing so prevents any lapse in coverage and may lead to discounts.
Before your young adult heads off to college, compare quotes from several insurance companies to ensure they have the proper coverage.
Best car insurance for college students in Michigan
To ensure you choose the best car insurance company for your college student, compare at least a few companies. State Farm, Nationwide, and GEICO are good places to start, as each insurer offers generous discounts, high customer service ratings, and plenty of coverage options.
State Farm: Best for teens on their parents’ policy
Nationwide: Best for customer service
GEICO: Best for added protection
Cost of car insurance for Michigan college students
The cost of car insurance for Michigan college students varies based on the student’s age. Male teens pay about $246 per month, while female teens pay about $230 per month. By age 25, those premiums drop considerably for both genders.
See the chart below for average Michigan teen insurance costs and rates for ages 16, 20, and 25.
What to know about staying on your parents’ car insurance
One major benefit of keeping a college student on their parents’ insurance policy is ensuring continuous coverage at school and when they return home for school breaks.
It’s also cheaper to keep a student on the family policy. Since insurers consider teens to be high-risk drivers, stand-alone policies are often much more expensive than staying on an existing policy.4
On the flip side, maintaining coverage for your college student increases your premiums. The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) estimates that having a teen driver on your policy increases your premiums by 50% to 100%.5
See the chart below for average liability-only and full-coverage costs.
Car insurance for college students out of state
Let your insurer know if your child attends school out of state or at least 100 miles from home. If your student leaves their car at home, you may qualify for lower rates while they’re away at school.
Keeping your child on your policy during the school year can save money while ensuring they have coverage when they return home for school breaks or holidays.
If your student takes a car to school out of state, check that state’s insurance laws. Your child will need at least the minimum coverage required by state law.
Car insurance for international students
International students who plan to drive while attending school in Michigan also need car insurance.
Traditional insurers like State Farm and Progressive insure international drivers, while companies like GradGuard specialize in coverage for college students, including international students.
The type of insurance an international student needs depends on whether they plan to rent or buy a car. Rental companies often provide temporary coverage, but students who plan to buy a car while they’re living in the U.S. will need standard car insurance.
To drive in the U.S. legally, international students need car insurance and a driver’s license. International students may be able to drive with their foreign license, but they may also need an international driving permit (IDP), depending on the state.
5 ways for college students to get cheaper insurance
Although younger drivers pay higher insurance rates, premiums vary based on several factors.
College students can often lower their premiums by following these tips:
You may also find cheap car insurance by shopping around before each policy renewal. Compare insurers’ rates, coverage, discounts, and policy terms to get the best deal.
Michigan car insurance requirements
Michigan requires three types of insurance coverage for all drivers:
Liability insurance: Liability insurance covers any bodily injuries or property damage your student causes to others. In Michigan, drivers need to have $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $10,000 in property damage liability to cover property damage in another state. Liability insurance doesn’t pay for car repairs if your student causes an accident, or if hail, fire, theft, or vandalism damages the car.
Property protection insurance: If your student causes a car accident in Michigan that damages a building, fence, or other structure, property protection insurance covers repair costs. But if the accident happens outside of Michigan, liability insurance applies based on where the accident occurred.
Personal injury protection (PIP): PIP covers your student’s medical expenses and lost wages if they’re hurt in an accident.6
College student car insurance FAQs
For additional information on insurance for college students in Michigan, check out the answers to some frequently asked questions.
How much is car insurance for college students in Michigan?
That depends on the student’s age and other factors. Male teen drivers pay an average of $246 per month for car insurance, while female teen drivers pay an average of $230. Once drivers reach their 20s, the average costs fall to $194 and $181, respectively.
What are some car insurance discounts for college students?
College students may qualify for a car insurance discount if they get good grades, take a defensive driving course, or leave their car at home while attending school.
Are there age limits for students to stay on their parents’ car insurance?
As long as a student lives at the same address or is enrolled in school full time, there’s no age limit for how long they can stay on their parents’ car insurance policy. Once a student leaves home permanently, though, they’ll typically need to buy their own insurance policy.
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