Packing up your child for college is a major milestone filled with mixed emotions. Between buying dorm supplies, paying tuition, and planning campus move-in, parents often look for ways to streamline expenses.
One question we get asked all the time by Northern New Jersey parents is: “My child lives on campus most of the year. Can I drop them from my auto insurance policy to save money?”
The short answer is no, you still need to keep your college student on your auto insurance policy.
While taking them off might look like an easy way to cut your monthly bill, doing so creates massive legal and financial risks that far outweigh any temporary savings.
5 Reasons to Keep Your College Student Insured
1. They Drive When Returning Home
Students come home for holidays, breaks, and weekends.
When they borrow your car to meet friends, they must be listed. If an unlisted family driver gets into a crash, insurers can deny the claim.
2. Coverage Follows the Person, Not Just the Car
In New Jersey, your policy provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Uninsured Motorist coverage.
This protects your child if they:
- Drive a friend’s vehicle.
- Ride as a passenger in a classmate’s car.
- Get hit as a pedestrian on or near campus.
Without coverage, they lose this critical medical safety net.
3. Misrepresentation Can Nullify Your Policy
Full-time students almost always maintain their parents’ address as their primary residence.
Failing to disclose a licensed household member can be treated as material misrepresentation. If an accident occurs, your insurer could cancel your policy outright.
4. Avoiding Pricey Coverage Gaps
Removing your child for four years creates a gap in coverage history.
When they graduate and buy their own plan, insurers will label them high-risk, driving future rates sky-high.
5. “Permissive Use” Does Not Apply
Parents often rely on “permissive use” rules.
However, permissive use only applies to visitors or neighbors. Insurers explicitly exclude relatives who list your home as their permanent address.
Smart Ways to Lower Your Premium
You can try to cut costs without dropping coverage:
| Discount Type | How It Works |
| Away at School | Applies if the school is 100+ miles away and the student has no car on campus. |
| Good Student | Cuts premiums by up to 15% to 25% for full-time students with a B average (3.0 GPA) or higher. |
| Driver Training | Applied upon completing an approved defensive driving course. |
What to Do Next
Call your insurance agent before the semester starts. Confirm your child is listed and request all applicable student discounts.
Accidents happen without warning—whether on Route 4, I-80, or campus. Keeping your child insured protects both their safety and your family’s financial security.
Contact Raff & Raff today at (973) 742-1917 or visit us online at raffandraff.com to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Let our family fight for yours.
Raff & Raff, LLP has defended the rights of Northern New Jersey families and individuals since 1922. We provide seamless civil, family, and criminal representation across Passaic and Bergen counties, including the local communities of Clifton, Wayne, Hackensack, Paramus, and Totowa & Little Falls. Contact us today to schedule a free in-office or face-to-face Zoom consultation
By Izzy Login and Michael Raff, Esq. / Raff & Raff, LLP
