Compare Student Car Insurance Quotes

Student car insurance is legally required in the UK if you drive your vehicle on public roads—but it also protects you financially in situations you’re more likely to face as a student.

It’s not just about obeying the law. If you drive to uni, work part-time, or rely on your car to get home during holidays, the risk of an accident—or theft—is real. Without insurance, you’d be personally responsible for any damage, injuries, or liability caused.

For students in particular, there are added layers of risk:

• Unfamiliar routes – You might be driving in a new city for the first time, especially at night or during term-time traffic.
• Shared parking areas – University towns often have higher vehicle crime rates and limited secure parking.
• Low driving experience – Statistically, younger or newer drivers are more likely to be involved in claims, which insurers factor into their pricing.
• Borrowing or lending cars – If you drive a parent’s car or someone else uses yours without proper cover, you could be uninsured and breaking the law.

And remember, even if you only use your car occasionally, or park it up during term time, you’ll still need insurance unless it’s declared off-road (SORN).

Ultimately, student car insurance isn’t just a formality—it’s the thing that keeps you financially protected when the unexpected happens. It’s about more than being road legal. It’s about being realistic.

Even the best student car insurance policies come with exclusions—things your insurer won’t cover unless specifically added to your policy.

Many of these exclusions apply to all drivers, but students can be more likely to encounter them, especially if you’re new to driving or juggling multiple responsibilities. Common exclusions include:

• Driving other people’s cars – Unless your policy explicitly includes it (most student policies don’t), you won’t be covered.
• Undisclosed drivers – If a mate borrows your car and they’re not listed on the policy, you could void your insurance entirely.
• Incorrect use of address – Using your home address instead of your term-time residence (or vice versa) can invalidate a claim if the car is mostly kept elsewhere.
• Fronting – If a parent insures the car as the main driver but you’re the one using it daily, this is illegal and can result in the policy being cancelled.
• Modifications – Any undeclared modifications to the car, even cosmetic ones like tinted windows or spoilers, could lead to a claim being denied.
• General wear and tear – Things like worn tyres, battery failure, or brake wear aren’t covered by standard insurance.
• Unsecured personal belongings – If valuables like laptops or bags are left on display, some policies won’t pay out even if there’s a break-in.

It’s also worth noting that parking in high-risk areas, like poorly lit student car parks or side streets in city centres, may raise your premium—or affect your claim depending on your policy terms.

If in doubt, check the policy documents carefully or speak to the provider directly. With student cover, assumptions can cost you.