Auto Insurance Dos and Don’ts for College Drivers

College is a great time to pursue your dreams and it is also the beginning of numerous adventures which you will be remembering fondly for the rest of your life. It is also a time when many youngsters feel invincible that they throw all caution to the wind.

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Most college students will need a car, especially if they have to travel to their college or university to and fro. Indeed, college without a car would be a lot less fun. However, owning or having a car at such a young age means having to pay high insurance rates. So, what should young college students do?

Drive carefully

If you want to pay lower auto insurance rates, you must drive carefully.  Students, in general, tend to be compulsive and drive harshly, putting people on the road at risk. This is because most young drivers are just learning how to drive. More than 50% of young drivers today admit to driving with risks such as not wearing seat belts. Some insurers offer a ‘black box’ which records how you drive and helps to keep your premiums lower.

Avoid expensive cars if you want to get lower premiums on your car insurance

Install anti-theft devices

Security measures taken to ensure that the car does not get stolen or severely damaged will help reduce your car insurance premiums. Some of the cheapest devices which you can install are car alarms and anti theft steering wheel locks. They are not only economical but also practical.

Carpooling

One way of ensuring that you pay lower premiums is to use your car less. Carpooling is the solution but how much exactly do you have to drive less? Most insurance companies would be willing to reduce your premiums if you drive less than 10,000 miles a year. What is the logic behind this? Well, if your drive less, there is fewer chances of getting into road accidents. Aside from saving money on petrol, you will also have the chance to make new friends when you join a carpool.

Get a used car

College students can benefit from purchasing used cars. Not only are used cars more affordable, you will also worry less with them. Why? Because the pain of seeing your car getting dented or chipped is just too much to see on a brand new and expensive car.  It is better for college students to save money and purchase an SUV or sports car later when they are already established.  If you are buying a first car, it is better to buy a used one.

Used cars, according to insurance companies, are not as likely to get stolen. When and if it does break down, the parts are not that expensive. If you buy smaller cars, you are in for a better deal. They have less powerful engines so they are only capable of low speeds and low speeds do not result in gruesome accidents.


If you are a college student wanting to get insurance, remember to equip your car with safety devices; make sure that your car is serviced regularly; join a carpool and lastly consider getting a used car.