Cheapest Car Insurance for International Students (2024) (2024)

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To help international students make the best auto coverage decisions, our team has evaluated the top car insurance companies in the nation based on reputation, availability, cost, coverage and customer experience. The following table features our top choices for international students, along with our overall rating for each provider.

We’ve also included annual cost estimates from Quadrant Information Services. These rate estimates are for full-coverage car insurance policies. That means policies that include state-mandated liability coverage as well as collision insurance and comprehensive coverage.

Car insurance for international students doesn’t come with any special requirements. All drivers in the U.S. need a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Nearly every state requires bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, which pays for other parties’ medical expenses and property damage when you cause an accident.

If you have an auto loan or lease, you’ll almost certainly need to carry a full-coverage car insurance policy. These policies go beyond minimum coverage to include both collision insurance and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle no matter who causes an accident. Comprehensive coverage protects your car against damage from natural disasters, fire, theft and vandalism.

Most car insurance providers in the U.S. offer the above types of car insurance coverage, as well as the following options:

• Personal injury protection (PIP): This type of insurance pays for your medical expenses after an accident and can reimburse lost wages if you miss work due to your injuries.
• Medical payments (MedPay): MedPay covers your medical bills as well as those of your passengers after an accident.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This type of coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle after an accident with a driver with no (or inadequate) insurance.

Alternative Car Insurance Options for International Students

Many top auto insurance providers offer short-term plans that can be ideal for non-citizens studying in the U.S. for a short time. Non-owner car insurance plans, which offer liability coverage for when you drive a car that you don’t own, are also commonly available. These policies protect the owner of the car from being liable if you cause an auto accident, and they’re a good option for international students who plan to regularly borrow someone else’s vehicle rather than drive their own car.

To drive or purchase car insurance in the U.S., you’ll need a state-issued driver’s license. The specific requirements for getting a license vary from state to state, so it’s best to verify with your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) or ask someone in the student affairs department at your school.

You’ll typically need a passport, visa and proof of residence to secure a driver’s license. For proof of legal residency, you can provide a recent utility bill, bank statement, rental agreement or national ID. Once you’ve provided the required documents, you’ll likely need to take the following steps:

• Written test: This test varies by state and evaluates your knowledge of road rules. You can typically find online resources like study guides from each state’s DMV.
• Driving test: This typically involves making a few types of turns, parking and doing some highway driving. Again, this type of test varies by state but focuses on following basic traffic laws.
• Eye exam: If you need to wear corrective lenses during this exam, it will be noted on your license. You’ll be required to wear glasses or contact lenses when driving.

International Driver’s Permit

International students can also purchase an international driver’s permit from either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). To apply for this permit, you have to have a driver’s license in your home country for at least six months. An international driver’s permit is valid for one year and can be renewed.

Age is one of the key determining factors when it comes to setting car insurance rates. Insurers view younger drivers as bigger risks, as they’re more likely to get into accidents. That’s one hurdle most international students face in finding cheap auto coverage. Along with the age of the driver, here are a few other factors that affect car insurance costs:

• Location: Living in a densely populated area means there are more car accidents and insurance claims, which results in higher car insurance premiums.
• Driving record: Those with clean driving histories receive lower insurance rates than people with at-fault accidents, DUIs and other violations on their records.
• Credit history: In many states, having a good credit score means cheaper auto coverage.
• Gender: The gender listed on your driver’s license affects car insurance rates as well. Those who identify as male typically pay higher rates than those who identify as female.
• Marital status: Married drivers pay lower car insurance rates than single ones.
• Vehicle: The type and age of the vehicle you drive will affect coverage costs. Newer cars have more safety features and are generally cheaper to insure. High-end vehicles, both luxury and sports cars, are more expensive to insure.

Aside from comparing car insurance quotes from multiple providers, international students have a few other options for bringing their auto coverage costs down. Here are a few simple strategies visiting college students can use to save money on an auto insurance policy:

• Consider local options: The biggest auto insurers may not be the best options for everyone. International students might find better rates with a small local company. Personal service from a local insurance agent is another advantage of going small.
• Look for discounts: Most providers offer a wide range of car insurance discounts that can help cut premium costs. Students with good grades are often eligible for reduced auto insurance rates. Safe driver discounts are also common, although they sometimes take several years to earn.
• Increase your deductible: A higher deductible brings with it lower premiums. College students just need to remember that raising their deductible also means they’re responsible for more out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident.
• Take a driver safety course: Especially for international students without much driving experience, taking a defensive driving course could be an ideal way to unlock savings on regular car insurance payments.

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

• Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
• Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
• Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
• Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.

Our credentials:

• 800 hoursresearched
• 45 companiesreviewed
• 8,500+ consumerssurveyed

*Data accurate at time of publication.