Car Insurance For Students Living Away From Home – Which Address?

student car

There are many benefits to owning a car as a student if you are living away from home. For one thing, it makes it much easier to travel home during breaks.

But when you’re buying student car insurance, which address should you use for your policy? Your university address, or your “home” address?

Which Address Should Students Use For Car Insurance?

When your insurers ask for your address, they want to know where the car will be kept for the majority of time, as this can influence the price of your policy. If you live in an area with relatively high crime rates, you may pay a higher premium to cover the increased risks. Similarly, if you live in an area with relatively low crime rates, and if you are able to park your car somewhere safe and secure, then you may find you save money on the cost of cover.

So it all depends on where you will be keeping your car most of the time. If this will be your university address, then you will have to use that address when buying your car insurance.

It’s always best to check with the insurer as they may need both your home address and your university address to be provided.

Does a Named Driver Have to Live at the Same Address as a Policyholder?

No. You can be a named driver on someone else’s car but live elsewhere. For many students and young drivers they become a named driver on a more experienced driver’s policy, such as a parents which enables them to use the car when returning home for the holidays or visits. However, it’s important to remember that you should only become a named driver on a policy if you are not the car’s “main” driver.

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If you become a named driver on someone else’s policy, then you probably wouldn’t be taking the insured car to university as this would likely make you the car’s “main” driver.

Ultimately it depends on where the car will be kept. If you are taking the car to university with you then you need to inform your car insurance provider of your university address as that is where the car will be the majority of time.

Saving Money on Student Car Insurance

There are a few things you can do to save money on your student car insurance:

Don’t Keep a Car at University – Do you absolutely need a car at university? If you don’t, you could rely on public transport to get about during term time (and students can usually get some significant discounts here), while using a parents’ car when you are back at home. This way, you can become a named driver on their policy, which will make your cover cheaper.
Take Care Where You Park Your Car – As a student, your parking options might be limited. But if you can park your car somewhere secure – such as on a driveway, or in a garage – this can reduce your insurance risk.
Choose a Cheaper Car – Some cars cost less to insure than others. Choose a car from a lower insurance group and you could make a saving on your car insurance.

Another way to save money on car insurance is to choose an insurer that understands students, and who will take all of your personal circumstances into consideration when calculating your premiums.

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