Headed to College? Don’t Forget About Insurance

✅ Quick Insurance Checklist for College Families:

• Confirm if your homeowners policy covers dorm-living students’ belongings
• Purchase renters insurance for off-campus housing
• Review or update your auto insurance details
• Make sure liability protection is in place
• Ask about student discounts!

3 Areas of Insurance to Consider

Here is more detail about coverage issues every college student (and parent) should consider:

🏠 1. Personal Property: Is Your Stuff Protected?

Laptops, phones, TVs, headphones, bikes, textbooks—college students bring a surprising amount of valuables to school. If something gets lost, stolen, or damaged, how would you replace it?

Good to know:

• If your student is living in a dorm, your homeowners insurance may extend limited coverage to their belongings. But there are often restrictions, and deductibles may still apply.
• If they’re living in an off-campus apartment, they’ll likely need renters insurance to protect their personal property.

Renters insurance is very affordable (often under $20/month) and covers items due to fire, theft, vandalism, and even some water damage. Bonus: it may also cover property stolen from a car!

⚖️ 2. Liability: Accidents Happen—Are You Covered?

Let’s face it: college life can be unpredictable. If your student accidentally causes damage to their dorm or apartment—or someone gets injured in their space—they could be held legally responsible.

That’s where liability coverage comes in. It helps cover legal fees or medical bills if someone sues or makes a claim.

Coverage options:

• A homeowners or renters policy often includes personal liability coverage.
• If your student is living independently, make sure they have their own policy in place.

🚗 3. Auto Insurance: Who’s Driving What (and Where)?

If your student is taking a car to school—or even if they’re not—now is the time to review your auto insurance policy. College often means a change in driving habits, and that can affect coverage.

A few things to review:

• Garaging Location: This is where the car is primarily kept. If your student is moving to a different city or state for school, it’s important to update the garaging address with your insurance company.
  • Why it matters: Your premium is partly based on where the vehicle is kept overnight.
  • More importantly: If the insurance company isn’t informed of the change in garaging location, it could impact your coverage—or even result in a denied claim.
• Driving Frequency: If your student won’t be driving regularly while away at school, you may qualify for a lower premium. Be sure to ask about options for “occasional drivers.”
• Good Student Discount: Many insurance carriers offer discounts for students who maintain a strong GPA—typically a 3.0 or higher. It’s a simple way to reduce your rate.
• Student Away at School Discount: If your student is going to college more than 100 miles from home and won’t be taking a vehicle with them, you may qualify for a “student away” discount. It’s designed for students who are still on your policy but won’t be driving regularly while away. Just make sure to notify your insurance company to take advantage of it.

Even if a student is going to school without a car, don’t assume you should take them off your policy just yet. They may still need coverage if they drive when home on breaks or borrow a friend’s car occasionally.

Let Us Help You Start the Semester Right

We know preparing for college can feel like a whirlwind, but getting your insurance in order now can help you avoid unexpected expenses and headaches later. If you’re unsure what coverage you need—or whether your student is fully protected—we’re here to help.