Can I add a college student in another state to my car insurance policy?

You may add a college student in another state to your insurance policy. However, this will likely cause a rate increase. It also adds an additional layer of complexity as you’ll need to make sure that you’re meeting a second state’s minimum insurance requirements.

Let’s look at some important factors you’ll need to be aware of when adding your out-of-state college student to your insurance policy. We’ll also look at some ways to keep your rates under control.

Student Car Insurance Requirements by State

Each state has its minimum insurance requirements. When you signed up for your policy, you would have chosen one that meets the requirements in your home state. However, if you want to have car insurance from a different state than that of your license or add a college student in another state to your car insurance policy, you’ll need to check that state’s requirements.

It’s possible that the other state has requirements that differ from your own state’s, and your current policy could prove insufficient to meet the second state’s minimums. This could leave you in a bind if there were an accident in the other state.

Make Sure Your Insurance Company Operates in Both States

Another hurdle you may run into is whether you can continue using your current insurance company in another state. If you’re using a major national insurance company such as Geico or Progressive, you will be covered. However, if your insurance is through a smaller regional insurance agency, then it’s possible that the company does not operate outside of your home state.

If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is compare rates from national insurance companies. If you prefer to stick with a smaller company, you can look into regional insurance companies that cover both your home state and the state your college student will be living in, provided that they are relatively close geographically.

Different insurance companies also have different policy options for out-of-state insurance. Most insurance companies will allow your out-of-state college student to remain on your policy, but some do not provide this option even if operating in both states. It’s always best to contact your insurance company to clarify who it will cover and where.

How will your rates be affected by adding college student car insurance coverage in another state?

When you sign up for an insurance policy, the insurance company evaluates several factors to determine your rate. A few of these factors are:

• Age
• Driving record
• Credit score
• The make and model of your vehicle

When you add your college student to your policy, they will also be evaluated based on those same factors. Your rates are likely to increase because they are younger, have a more limited driving history, and likely have a limited credit history. It is difficult to say how much they will increase, but there are ways to keep that increase as low as possible.

To keep your rates as low as possible, here are a few different car insurance discount options to inquire about with your insurer:

• Good student discounts
• Discounts for students of specific universities
• Driver monitor device discounts (physical monitor or phone app)
• Organization affiliation discounts

There’s a good chance your insurance company offers discounts that you aren’t even aware of, so this is a great time to ask the question.

Check Rate Quotes Periodically to Ensure You’re Getting the Best Rate

Adding a college student in another state to your insurance policy may end up costing more than you had hoped. You can always shop around for a better deal if that’s the case. It’s a good idea to occasionally check car insurance quotes anyway, as the most affordable option now may not be the best in 12 months.

Getting the best rate on your car insurance is as simple as getting quotes online. It’s a low-effort task with a potentially high reward.