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The university student's guide to car insurance
Borrow a van or grab a lift in the family car
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 29/08/2025
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 29/08/2025
Are you or your children starting university in September? According to the latest data from UCAS, 328,390 18-year-old applicants and 665,070 applicants overall have applied for a UK university place through UCAS. This, in addition to 138,460 international applicants, makes it an exciting and busy time for university students.
Student living costs can put a strain on even the most frugal, with rent, groceries, parking fees and other bills putting a strain on the purse strings. Car insurance is another additional expense, and this, too, can be expensive for anyone aged under 25 as insurers calculate their premiums based on age and experience.
During Freshers Week, students will be inundated with offers to save money but we’re here to not only explain how temporary student car insurance can be the smart option for driving but also how it (or temporary van insurance) can help get you to your halls or place of residence on that first journey up there.
A first journey to university - potentially your new home for three or four years - is always steeped in trepidation. Not only is it a huge life change, but you’ve also got to bring all your stuff with you. There are a few options but one of the first things you should do is ask friends and family members for help with the packing.
Choose what you want to take with you. Many uni accommodations are a little on the tight side, so it might be better to travel light but you’ll still want some keepsakes and essentials to make your room feel like your own. Pack your items into boxes, making sure breakables are bubblewrapped, and keep all important documents like ID to hand.
Public transport could be an issue with the amount of things you need to take on this initial journey; and driving yourself could just add to the nerves. It might be best to find some support while you embark on your journey.
If you’re planning on driving a car to your university, make sure you don’t overload the car. Not only can it cause damage to the vehicle but you could face a fine of at least £100, depending on how much you’re over the weight limit.
If you’re sharing the drive and aren’t already insured (or want to be comprehensively covered for extra peace of mind), you should take out temporary car insurance. This enables both you and your passenger to swap places when either of you get tired - with no impact on the owner’s no claims discount.
Another option is to borrow a van from a friend or family member who owns one. With much more space to pack and stack your belongings, this will help you avoid making multiple journeys. Before doing anything else, check out if the vehicle is the right size to transport your belongings.
Once you’ve decided you’re going to borrow a van to make the journey, you can take out temporary van insurance if you or someone else is driving and start packing your belongings. It’s then time to get familiar with the van. Maybe an hour’s temporary van insurance would be a good idea here?
Whatever way you choose to travel, you should always plan your route in advance and check the vehicle thoroughly before starting the engine, making sure all the basic maintenance has been taken care of. Use the FORCES method before hitting the road to help keep you, your passengers and other road users safe:
When you’re on your way, you should drive sensibly and safely according to conditions, adhering to speed limits, maintaining extra distance between yourself and the vehicle in front if you’re in a van and following the Highway Code at all times.
If the registered keeper is not in the vehicle with you and you want to share the drive, you should ensure both you and the passenger have a temporary insurance policy in place. Don’t forget the vehicle will be returning once you’ve settled into your new home so the person driving it back needs insurance for this journey. It’s also an unwritten rule to return a borrowed car with a full tank of petrol.
While borrowing a car with temporary student car insurance is quick, easy to organise and comprehensive, there are other options when it comes to car insurance for uni students.
Student car insurance is designed especially for the student lifestyle, with insurers offering incentives and occasional discounts for safer and low-mileage drivers. The insurers may also offer payment schedules that suit student lifestyles e.g. quarterly.
Although this insurance can be budget friendly, it’s worth remembering the majority of students could face higher premiums due to a lack of driving experience.
You could also be added as a named driver on a parent’s insurance policy. This will sometimes work out cheaper than standard student insurance but you’ll have to be aware of fronting - a type of fraud where the vehicle is driven more often by the secondary driver than principal.
Being found guilty of this could result in a criminal record, cancellation of the policy and tougher, more expensive premiums in the future. You must make sure the address where the vehicle is parked is correct. This is normally the parents’ address if the car stays there while you’re at uni.
Borrowing a parent’s car when back home and taking out short-term student insurance can save money. It’s quick, easy to organise and comprehensive, meaning you’re covered for every eventuality.
Available from one hour to 28 days, you only pay for this insurance when you actually need it. Ideal if you only drive the family car when you’re back home e.g. in the summer and at Christmas.
One thing to bear in mind is will you actually need your car once you’ve started university? Obviously it will help with travel back home and you’ll be able to do your weekly shop with ease, but this convenience may be taken advantage of as you’re seen as your uni friends’ designated driver.
You’ll also have to factor in parking (some halls either have limited parking space or will charge for a permit), maintenance and fuel payments. You’ll need to take the time to decide whether the convenience of having a car nearby is more important than these extra costs.
Once you’ve moved into your second year and stay in accommodation off site, it might be worth giving extra consideration to bringing your car. You’ll potentially have a driveways or road to park on, and you’ll also be that bit further away from where your lectures and lessons take place.
Although you can expect to pay a significant amount, here are a few ways you can potentially save money:
Once you've decided what you're doing with your car and insurance, you can start planning your socials and studies.
Young drivers are statistically more likely to have accidents and this is reflected in their premiums. Many students are likely to be under 25 so the cost will reflect that risk. The location where the car is parked overnight can also affect the price.
If you’re a student who lives with their parents the majority of the time, you should be able to use their address to insure your vehicle. Once you have moved out, you will need to insure your car at your new address. If you don’t, this could be considered fraud. You should always let your insurer know if you are moving.
Your car insurance should be registered at the address you spend the majority of time living at. If you need confirmation or have any further questions, you should contact your insurance company directly.
You should inform your insurer about your change in circumstances and they will be able to advise on the next best steps. If you don’t tell them and you need to make a claim, they may not pay out and potentially void your insurance. If you need insurance while in-between policies, you can consider temporary car insurance.
If you are a full-time student, you should put yourself down as a student when it comes to applying for insurance. Once your circumstances change, you can amend your policy. With temporary car insurance, you’re likely to only have the policy while you are a student.
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Temporary Car Insurance
