Parents Should Study How Campus Life Impacts Their Insurance

For immediate release
New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org

NEW YORK, August 7, 2019 — The parents of full-time college students should review their insurance policies to make sure their children’s personal possessions are covered while they’re away at school, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

The policies which impact college students include the following:

Homeowners and renters insurance: These policies generally provide coverage for personal possessions (e.g., a TV, clothing and furniture) if the student lives on-campus.

Some policies may limit the amount of insurance for a college student’s off-premises belongings to 10 percent of the policy’s coverage for personal possessions. For instance, if a college student’s parents have $100,000 worth of personal possessions insurance for the family’s primary residence, $10,000 would be applicable to possessions in the student’s on-campus dorm room.

A college student’s possessions are covered for the same disasters listed in standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. These perils include losses caused by fire, theft, vandalism and natural disasters, such as a hurricane.

College students who live off-campus need their own renters insurance policy to cover their personal property, liability (which protects them from a lawsuit if someone is accidentally injured at their residence) and additional living expenses (ALE). ALE pays for temporary housing and meals if a college student’s off-campus residence is unhabitable because of an insured event, like a fire or a hurricane.

Auto insurance: Parents whose children are enrolled in an institution more than 100 miles from home may be eligible for a discount on their auto insurance, if they are not bringing a car to school with them. The cost of auto insurance is based in part on where a car is parked most of the time. Moreover, many insurance companies give a discount to students who maintain a grade point average of 3.0, or higher. Parents should have their children remain listed on the family’s auto insurance policy throughout their college years to avoid lapses in coverage.

Electronic device insurance: Parents may want to acquire a separate insurance policy for smart phones, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and other electronics. These policies may provide coverage against accidental damage, liquid spills and other events not covered under either a homeowners or renters policy. If a parent or college student used a credit card to buy the device, the credit card issuer may offer some level of insurance protection.

RELATED LINKS

Video:             
Insurance Basics: College Edition

Articles:  Protecting Your College Student from On-Campus Losses What Is Covered by Standard Homeowners Insurance?
Renters Insurance What Is Covered by a Basic Auto Insurance Policy?

The I.I.I. has a full library of educational videos on its YouTube Channel. Information about I.I.I. mobile apps can be found here.

THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500; www.iii.org