Distant Student Discount: How Much Can You Save?

Save up to 7% on your auto insurance with a distant student discount if your student attends college full-time at least 100 miles away without a vehicle. However, each auto insurance company will offer different discount amounts and have different requirements. For example, in order to qualify for the distant student discount from Progressive, your student must be 22 years old or younger.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to compare auto insurance rates.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Chris Tepedino

Insurance Feature Writer

Chris Tepedino is a feature writer that has written extensively about auto insurance for numerous websites. He has a college degree in communication from the University of Tennessee and has experience reporting, researching investigative pieces, and crafting detailed, data-driven features. His works have been featured on CB Blog Nation, Flow Words, Healing Law, WIBW Kansas, and Cinncinati.com. ...

Insurance Feature Writer

Rachael Brennan

Licensed Insurance Agent

Rachael Brennan has been working in the insurance industry since 2006 when she began working as a licensed insurance representative for 21st Century Insurance, during which time she earned her Property and Casualty license in all 50 states. After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. She has worked for small health in...

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Jun 27, 2022

Advertiser Disclosure

It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.

Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We partner with top insurance providers. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.

Can't-Miss Facts

  • Many auto insurance companies offer a discount if your child is away at school and won’t be driving much
  • Distant student discount amounts and requirements will vary by company
  • Generally, your child will have to attend college full-time at least 100 miles away with no vehicle in order to qualify for the discount

A distant student discount can save you money while your child is away at college. Since the young driver won’t have access to a vehicle, your automobile insurance rates can actually go down.

Insurance for young drivers is expensive, so finding affordable auto insurance with a distant student discount is a must. Shop around and compare rates to see which companies can offer you the best deal.

Enter your ZIP code now to compare auto insurance quotes with a distant student discount from multiple companies near you for free.

What is a distant student discount?

You can save up to 7% on auto insurance with a distant student discount if you meet certain requirements while your child is in college. Insurance companies are willing to offer a discount since the younger driver won’t have access to a vehicle.

Although requirements will vary by company, in general, your student must:

  • Attend college full-time at least 100 miles away from home
  • Not have access to a vehicle while at school
  • Be under 23 years old

Keep in mind that some companies are different. For example, to qualify for the distant student discount from Progressive, your student must be under age 22.

In addition to the Progressive student discount for being away at college, you can also receive Progressive discounts for keeping your grades at least a B and for being a teen driver.

Younger drivers have much higher auto insurance rates, mainly due to a lack of experience. Drivers with less experience tend to get in more accidents.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that car accidents are the second leading cause of death for teens in the U.S.

Since car insurance rates for young drivers are so high, you might be tempted to just remove your student from your insurance. However, that can cause more problems.

Your student won’t be able to drive when they are home for breaks and holidays. Also, removing them can cause a gap in insurance which will make it more difficult and expensive when they are ready to get insured.

Enter your ZIP code below to compare auto insurance rates.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

What auto insurance companies offer a distant student discount?

Many insurance companies are willing to give an extra discount while students are away at school. Not only does this lower your rates, but it also provides an incentive to keep the student insured.

This table shows auto insurance companies with a distant student discount. If the amount of the discount is known, it is listed.

Distant Student Auto Insurance Discount Available By Company
CompanyDistant Student Discount Available
21st CenturyX
AAAX
AllstateX
American FamilyX
Ameriprise (Connect)X
AmicaX
FarmersX
GeicoX
NationwideX
ProgressiveX
Safe AutoX
SafecoX
State FarmX
The HanoverX
The HartfordX
Travelers7%
USAAX

Compare RatesStart Now →

Even though the distant student discount might be small, you can bundle it with other discounts, such as a good student discount, to save even more. Take advantage of all car insurance discounts for which you are eligible to maximize your savings.

Distant Student Discount: The Bottom Line

You can save on your auto insurance if you meet the requirements for a distant student discount. Bundle your discounts to save even more.

Before you buy auto insurance with a distant student discount, shop around. Compare rates and discounts offered to see which company can offer you the best deal.

Enter your ZIP code now to compare auto insurance rates with a distant student discount from multiple companies for free.

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

Enter your ZIP code below to compare auto insurance rates.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption