Top Car Insurance Tips for College Drivers
Owning a car throughout college gave me a lot of freedom. Students can travel back to visit their own families, find jobs near the school to help with expenses, and plan fun activities off campus with friends. To drive a car, young people need a car insurance policy. There are some useful tips for getting the best deals and keeping your rates as low as possible.
Complete the Driver Training Program
Both classroom instruction provided by driver learning programs and driving time with behind the wheel programs will qualify drivers under the age of 21 for a discount on their policy. Since rates are the highest for new drivers, this can actually help lower the cost of total annual insurance for struggling students. If the program is not completed in high school, one can still apply as a student.
Work Hard for Good Grades
Another way to lower the fee is to work hard and get good grades in all your courses. To use this discount, you must meet certain criteria. Generally, this involves maintaining a grade point average of 3.0 or greater, getting on the dean's record, or ranking in the top 20 percent of the class. Visit the agent to get the specifications and study what documents are needed so that they can be submitted as soon as possible.
Buy Used Vehicles
Car insurance rates are directly affected by the type of vehicle for which the policy is made. A newer car will cost more to replace if an accident results in a breakdown, which is why a student will pay a larger amount for a newer car. There are many reputable lots where used vehicles are sold, and some of them even come with certifications and limited warranties.
Fall Collision Coverage
College seniors who choose to save on a used car also have the option of canceling collision protection if the car was paid for with cash and there are no outstanding loans. Since crashes are a large part of one's bill, this continues to lower student monthly fees to a more affordable price.
Install Anti-Theft Feature
One of the reasons car insurance is so expensive is to make enough money to cover the cost of the vehicle if it is stolen. As a result, most policies will provide a discount to any student driver who has an anti-theft feature in his car. This can be anything from a passive alarm to a recovery service like OnStar.
Exploring as many of these tips as you can is the best way for college kids to keep their fees low. The focus after that can always be to finish the degree and move on to the next chapter of life.