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Student car insurance in the UK costs an average of £2,717 per year – significantly higher than other driver categories due to age-related risk factors and limited driving experience.[1] Students can reduce premiums substantially through car insurance comparison, choosing low insurance group vehicles, installing telematics devices, and building a no claims bonus. Comparing quotes from multiple providers is essential, as prices can vary by over £1,500 for identical cover.[2] Telematics (black box) insurance offers the greatest savings potential, with young drivers aged 17-20 saving an average of £1,137 annually.[3] Always use the address where your car is kept most of the time – whether that's your family home or university accommodation – as providing incorrect information could invalidate your policy.
Finding cheap car insurance as a student is one of the biggest financial challenges facing young people at university. With students paying some of the highest premiums of any driver group, understanding how to compare car insurance effectively and reduce costs is essential for managing your budget during your studies.
This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about insuring a car as a student in the UK, from why premiums are so high to practical strategies for finding the cheapest car insurance available.
Students face some of the highest car insurance premiums in the UK. According to research from Uswitch, students in full-time education pay an average of £2,717 annually for their insurance – more than any other employment status category.[1] This is primarily driven by two factors: age and occupation classification.
Most students fall into the 17-24 age bracket, which insurance providers consider high-risk. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), drivers aged 17-24 make up just 7% of UK licence holders but are involved in 24% of all fatal collisions.[4] The Department for Transport's 2024 data confirms that young male car drivers aged 17 to 24 are four times as likely to be killed or seriously injured while driving compared with all car drivers aged 25 or over.[5]
Insurance providers use occupation as a risk factor when calculating premiums. Listing your occupation as "student" places you in a higher-risk category, as insurers associate students with factors such as living in higher-crime urban areas, parking on streets rather than in garages, and less predictable driving patterns.
Most students are relatively new to driving and haven't had time to build up a substantial no claims bonus (NCB). This discount, which rewards claim-free driving, can reduce premiums by up to 75% after five years.[6] Without this history, students pay significantly more.
Understanding typical costs helps you benchmark quotes when you compare car insurance. Here's what students typically pay based on age and experience:
| Age | Average Annual Premium | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| 17-18 (First Year Student) | £2,500 - £3,500+ | Highest risk category, no NCB, new driver |
| 19-20 (Undergraduate) | £1,800 - £2,500 | Some driving experience, limited NCB |
| 21-23 (Final Year/Postgraduate) | £1,200 - £1,800 | Improving risk profile, potential 1-2 years NCB |
| 24+ (Mature Student) | £800 - £1,400 | Better rates, though "student" occupation still impacts pricing |
Note: Figures are indicative averages based on comprehensive cover. Actual costs vary based on location, vehicle, driving record, and chosen cover level.
When comparing student car insurance quotes, you'll encounter three main levels of cover. UK law under the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires all drivers to have a minimum of third party insurance.[7]
Third party insurance is the legal minimum required to drive on UK roads. It covers damage you cause to other people, vehicles, and property, but provides no cover for your own vehicle. While it might seem like the cheapest car insurance option, this isn't always the case – comprehensive cover can sometimes cost the same or less.
This mid-tier option adds protection if your car is stolen or damaged by fire, while still covering third-party claims. It's often a good choice for students with older, lower-value vehicles where full comprehensive cover may not be cost-effective.
Comprehensive insurance provides the most complete protection, covering damage to your own vehicle regardless of fault, plus all third-party liabilities. For students, it's worth comparing quotes for all three cover types, as comprehensive is frequently priced similarly to third party only due to how insurers assess risk.[8]
For more details on comprehensive policies, read our guide to fully comprehensive car insurance.
Telematics insurance, commonly known as black box insurance, represents one of the most effective ways for students to find cheap car insurance. These policies use technology to monitor your driving behaviour and reward safe driving with lower premiums.
A telematics policy uses one of three methods to track your driving:
The device or app records factors including speed, acceleration, braking, cornering, time of day you drive, and total mileage. This data generates a driving score that directly influences your premium.
Research demonstrates substantial savings potential for safe drivers:
| Driver Category | Average Annual Savings | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers aged 17-20 | £1,137 | BIBA/AA Young Driver Report[3] |
| Drivers under 25 | £380+ | BIBA/AA Young Driver Report[3] |
| All telematics users (where cheaper) | £228 | Consumer Intelligence[9] |
| New drivers | £379.50 | MoneySupermarket[10] |
Consumer Intelligence data shows that a telematics policy was the cheapest option 42% of the time when compared to standard policies. For drivers aged 17-19, telematics premiums were approximately half those of conventional policies – representing savings of over £2,000.[9]
Advantages:
Considerations:
For students who primarily drive during daytime hours and maintain sensible driving habits, telematics offers the clearest path to finding the cheapest car insurance available.
Learn more in our comprehensive telematics insurance guide.
One of the most common questions students face when arranging car insurance is which address to use – your family home or your university accommodation. Getting this wrong could invalidate your policy entirely.
You must insure your car at the address where it is kept and parked overnight for the majority of the time.
This is because insurers base part of their risk assessment on location factors including crime rates, traffic density, and parking arrangements. Providing an incorrect address to secure a cheaper premium could be considered fraud, potentially resulting in:
Calculate where your car will spend the majority of nights throughout the year:
| Scenario | Recommended Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Car stays at university during term time | University address | Typically 30+ weeks per year at university |
| Car stays at home, you travel by other means | Home address | Most cost-effective if you don't need car at uni |
| You commute from home to local university | Home address | Car parked at home overnight |
| Split time roughly equally | Speak to insurer | Declare both addresses to your provider |
Many insurers offer specific options for students, allowing you to declare both your term-time and home addresses. Always be transparent with your insurer about your circumstances.
Vehicle choice significantly impacts insurance costs. Every car in the UK is assigned to an insurance group by Thatcham Research, ranging from 1 to 50 (with 1 being cheapest to insure).[12] For students seeking cheap car insurance, vehicles in groups 1-10 offer the most affordable premiums.
| Car | Insurance Group | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Aygo 1.0 | Group 1 | Excellent fuel economy, low running costs |
| Peugeot 108 1.0 | Group 1 | City-friendly dimensions, good safety rating |
| Citroen C1 1.0 | Group 1 | Shares platform with Aygo/108, affordable parts |
| Kia Picanto 1.0 | Group 1-2 | 7-year warranty on new models |
| Volkswagen Polo 1.0 | Group 2-3 | Reliable, good resale value |
| Ford Fiesta 1.1 | Group 2-3 | Popular choice, widely available parts |
| Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 | Group 2-4 | Common choice, easy to find repairs |
| Hyundai i10 1.0 | Group 2-3 | Five-year warranty, low maintenance |
| Skoda Citigo 1.0 | Group 1-2 | Practical interior, efficient engine |
| Fiat 500 1.2 | Group 3-5 | Stylish design, compact footprint |
Key factors that keep insurance costs low:
Beyond choosing the right car and policy type, these strategies can help you find the cheapest car insurance as a student:
Research shows prices can vary by over £1,500 between insurers for identical cover.[2] Use car insurance comparison services to search multiple providers simultaneously, but also check insurers who don't appear on comparison sites for potentially better deals.
As detailed above, black box policies offer savings of 20-40% for safe drivers. If you're confident in your driving abilities and don't frequently drive late at night, this is often the most effective cost-reduction strategy.
Raising your voluntary excess from £100 to £250-500 can reduce premiums noticeably. However, ensure you can afford to pay this amount if you need to make a claim.
Lower mileage equals lower risk in insurers' calculations. Students who drive under 5,000 miles annually can see savings of 10-20% compared to those driving 10,000+ miles.[13] Be honest about your expected mileage – underestimating could invalidate your policy.
Adding a parent or family member with a clean driving record as a named driver can reduce premiums by 10-25%.[14] However, they must actually use the car occasionally – adding someone who never drives it, or listing them as the main driver when you are, constitutes "fronting" and is insurance fraud.[15]
Where you park overnight affects your premium. Parking in a garage rather than on the street saves an average of £140 per year.[16] If your student accommodation has a driveway or designated parking, this can help reduce costs compared to street parking.
Car modifications, even cosmetic ones like alloy wheels or sound systems, must be declared and typically increase premiums by 20-50%.[17] For students on a budget, keeping your car standard is the most cost-effective approach. Read our complete guide to young driver insurance for more information.
Monthly payment plans include interest, typically at 20-30% APR. Paying your premium in full annually can save around £200.[18] If you can't afford the full amount, consider saving monthly and paying annually when your policy renews.
Each claim-free year reduces premiums. After five years with no claims, discounts typically reach 60-75%.[6] Consider paying for minor damage yourself (under £300-500) to protect your NCB, as making small claims can increase future premiums significantly.
The DVSA's Pass Plus course covers motorway driving, night driving, and other skills. Completion can reduce premiums by 5-35% depending on insurer.[19] The course typically costs £150-200, so calculate whether potential savings justify the expense.
Thatcham-approved alarms and immobilisers can reduce premiums by 5-15%.[20] Most modern cars come with adequate security, but if you're buying an older vehicle, consider whether additional security could lower your insurance costs.
Never auto-renew without comparing new quotes. While FCA rules now prevent insurers from charging existing customers more than new customers, you may still find better deals elsewhere.[21] Start comparing quotes 3-4 weeks before your renewal date for the best prices.
Given the significant cost of student car insurance, it's worth considering whether you actually need a car during your studies:
When a car makes sense:
Alternatives to consider:
For more information on avoiding common insurance mistakes, read our guide to car insurance fronting to understand why it's illegal and how to stay compliant.
Fronting occurs when a parent or guardian is listed as the main driver on a policy but the student actually uses the car most. This is insurance fraud and can result in policies being voided, claims rejected, prosecution, and difficulty obtaining insurance in future. The FCA and police actively investigate fronting cases.[15]
As discussed, always provide the address where your car is genuinely kept most of the time. Using a lower-risk address to reduce premiums could invalidate your entire policy.
Any changes to your vehicle, including alloy wheels, sound systems, or performance modifications, must be declared. Failure to disclose modifications could void your policy.
Always compare quotes for all cover levels. Comprehensive insurance is frequently the same price or cheaper than third party for many drivers, particularly those over 21.[8]
Under Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, driving without valid insurance is a serious offence.[7] Penalties include a £300 fixed penalty and six penalty points, or unlimited fines and disqualification if the case goes to court. Police can also seize and destroy uninsured vehicles.
When comparing car insurance quotes, understanding how vehicles are rated helps you make informed decisions. Thatcham Research administers the Group Rating system on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI), assigning vehicles to groups 1-50 based on multiple factors.[12]
Factors affecting insurance group ratings include:
From August 2024, Thatcham Research began transitioning to a new Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system, scoring vehicles from 1-99 across five assessments: Performance, Damageability, Repairability, Safety, and Security.[22] Cars registered before August 2024 continue using the traditional group rating system.
Yes, all UK insurers must offer quotes to new drivers with a valid provisional or full licence. Expect to pay higher premiums initially (£2,000-3,000+ for 17-18 year olds), with costs reducing as you gain experience and build a no claims bonus.
For most students who drive safely and primarily during daytime hours, yes. Telematics policies typically save 20-40% compared to standard policies. However, if you frequently drive late at night or have irregular driving patterns, the savings may be reduced or premiums could increase.
Always compare quotes for both. Comprehensive cover often costs similar amounts or less than third party only, and provides much better protection. Only consider third party if your car has minimal value and comprehensive quotes are significantly higher.
If you're taking your car to university and it will be kept there most of the time, you must inform your insurer and update your address. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy. Some insurers allow you to add both your term-time and home addresses.
Yes, being added as a named driver on a parent's policy is often cheaper than having your own policy. However, this only works if you use the car occasionally – if you're the main user, you must have your own policy as the main driver. For more money-saving tips, see our guide on how students can save money on car insurance.
Claims are processed the same as for any driver. However, making claims will affect your no claims bonus and could significantly increase premiums at renewal. Consider whether paying for minor repairs yourself might be more cost-effective in the long term.
Finding cheap car insurance as a student requires comparing multiple quotes, choosing the right vehicle, and considering telematics options. By using a car insurance comparison service, you can instantly search over 130 UK providers to find the best deal for your circumstances.
Ready to find affordable student car insurance? Compare quotes now and you could save up to £518* on your premium.
*51% of consumers could save £518.14 on their Car Insurance. The saving was calculated by comparing the cheapest price found with the average of the next four cheapest prices quoted by insurance providers on Seopa Ltd's insurance comparison website. This is based on representative cost savings from June 2025 data. The savings you could achieve are dependent on your individual circumstances and how you selected your current insurance supplier.
Student car insurance is notoriously expensive, with the average UK student paying around £2,722 per year. This guide explains why premiums are so high for those in full-time education and what you can do to bring costs down legally.
Young drivers face the highest insurance costs. Learn why premiums are so high for young people and discover practical tips to make insurance more affordable.
Car insurance for young drivers can be eye-wateringly expensive. It's tempting to look for ways to cut costs – but one method known as "fronting" is illegal and could leave you with a criminal record. Here's what you need to know.
Find answers to common questions about car insurance.
Students in full-time education pay an average of £2,717 per year for car insurance. This is significantly higher than other age groups because most students are young drivers with limited experience on the road. Your exact premium will depend on factors like your age, the car you drive, where you live, and whether you have any no claims bonus. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the best way to find a competitive price.
Car insurance is expensive for students mainly because of age. Most students are between 17 and 24, and drivers in this age group are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents. Insurers base their prices on risk, and younger drivers with less experience represent a higher risk. Limited driving history, the type of car students typically drive, and living in urban areas near universities can also push premiums up.
You must insure your car at the address where it is kept most of the time. If your car stays at university for the majority of the year, you should use your university address. If you only take your car to university occasionally and it spends most of its time at your family home, use your home address. Providing incorrect address information could invalidate your policy and leave you uninsured.
Yes, you can be added as a named driver on your parents' policy if you only use the family car occasionally, such as during holidays. This is often cheaper than getting your own policy. However, if you're the main driver of a vehicle, you must be listed as the main driver. Listing a parent as the main driver when you actually drive the car most is called fronting, which is insurance fraud and can void your policy.
Cars in insurance groups 1 to 5 are the cheapest for students to insure. Popular choices include the Toyota Aygo, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Citroen C1, and Peugeot 108, particularly versions with smaller 1.0 to 1.2 litre engines. These cars are affordable to buy, cheap to run, and have lower repair costs, which keeps insurance premiums down. Avoid performance versions like the Fiesta ST which sit in much higher insurance groups.
Yes, telematics insurance, also called black box insurance, can reduce student car insurance premiums by 20% to 40% for safe drivers. Young drivers aged 17 to 20 can save an average of £1,137 per year with telematics policies. A small device fitted to your car or a smartphone app monitors your driving, and safe driving behaviour is rewarded with lower costs. It's a good option for students who drive carefully and want to prove they're a low risk.
Some insurers offer specific discounts for students, though these vary. Discounts may be available for students with good grades, those who have completed advanced driving courses like Pass Plus, or those who limit their annual mileage. Not all insurers advertise student discounts, so it's worth asking when you compare quotes. Comparing prices from multiple providers is still the most effective way to find cheaper cover.
Yes, where you keep your car at university can affect your premium. If your university is in a city centre with higher crime rates or more traffic, you may pay more than if it were at your parents' home in a quieter area. Parking also matters. If you can park in a secure car park or driveway rather than on the street, this can help reduce your premium. Always give accurate details about where the car will be kept.
Yes, short-term or temporary car insurance is available and can be useful for students who only need a car during holidays or for specific trips. Policies can cover you for as little as one day up to a few months. This can be more cost-effective than paying for a full year if you only drive occasionally. It's also a good option if you want to drive a parent's car without affecting their no claims bonus.
Brumble connects students with a comparison tool that searches over 130 UK car insurance providers in minutes. You can compare standard policies alongside telematics options to see which offers the best value for your situation. Simply enter your details once and you'll see quotes from a wide range of insurers, including those offering competitive rates for young and student drivers. The service is free to use with no obligation to buy.
At Brumble, we cut through the gimmicks and focus on what matters – real quotes from trusted insurers via our partner platform, so you can quickly find the best value cover for your needs.
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