Student car insurance guide – all you need to know

25th Nov 2024

If you’re a student who wants to get behind the wheel, it’s important that you look at student car insurance.

As it is designed to meet the specific needs of young drivers who are students there can be several features tailored to suit, including discounts and flexible payments.

In this guide, we look at what is included with student car insurance and how it differs from other insurance options.

What is student car insurance?

Student car insurance is designed for young drivers who are either in school, college, or at university.

Since young drivers, especially those under 25, are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents, they generally face higher insurance premiums.

However, some insurers provide certain discounts and special policies to make insuring your vehicle more affordable for students.

Discounts for these drivers may be given if the student attends a school far from home and does not take the car. This is because insurers recognise the reduced driving time.

Other discounts may be offered if the driver completes extra driving courses like Pass Plus.

Many student insurance plans offer flexible payment schedules, allowing monthly or quarterly payments to accommodate students' finances.

What is the difference between standard and student car insurance?

The main differences between student car insurance and standard car insurance lie in the coverage options, discounts, and flexibility tailored to younger drivers, who are generally less experienced and have different financial needs.

Student car insurance sometimes includes special discounts due to the reduced amount of time spent on the road.

However, most students typically face higher premiums than older drivers due to limited driving experience.

Students can often save by joining a parent's or family member’s insurance policy, which is typically cheaper than an independent policy. This is different to student car insurance.

However, it is important to avoid fronting when it comes to car insurance.

Insurance policies for students may offer more flexible, minimal coverage options to reduce costs. Also, some insurers allow students to purchase a policy with lower premiums if they only drive occasionally, like during school breaks. This option is less common with standard insurance, which generally assumes regular vehicle use.

It is important to note that the student taking out the policy must make sure that there parking address is correct – whether that be at home or at university. They may need to take out a different type of insurance policy if they need longer cover.

In some cases, student car insurance may offer more accommodating payment schedules (monthly, quarterly) to suit a student’s limited income.

As a result, many student insurance policies include mileage caps or discounts for low-mileage drivers, which cater to students who drive less frequently.

What is temporary student car insurance?

Temporary student car insurance is a short-term policy option that is designed to provide coverage for students who only need insurance for a limited period.

This option is ideal for students who might only need a car during school breaks, for occasional use, or while visiting home, rather than requiring full-time insurance.

These policies can last from a few days to several months, depending on the student's needs. This flexibility is helpful if a student only needs coverage during breaks or specific times of the year.

It is important to note that although this is cost effective for the short term, student car insurance policy holders are unlikely to earn a no claims discount (NCD) from this type of policy.

Temporary car insurance still provides the core features such as liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, depending on the policy. This ensures students are fully protected even for brief periods.

Temporary student car insurance is a practical and flexible option for students who don’t need year-round coverage, helping them stay legally insured while keeping costs manageable.

Learn more about all the insurance products available with the RAC.