Today’s typical college student brings an expensive array of personal possessions with them to school. If those possessions are stolen or lost in a fire, your home owners policy may offer some protection, according to the New York Insurance Association.
“Sophisticated electronics and expensive sports equipment are increasingly common on campuses around the country, with many students bringing thousands of dollars’ worth of personal possessions with them to college,” Ellen Melchionni, president of NYIA said. “And with the cost of tuition rising, the last thing students or their parents need is to pay to replace costly items due to theft, fire, or another disaster.”
Additional insurance may not be necessary. If the student lives in a dorm, most personal possessions are covered under their parents’ home owners or renters insurance policies. However, some home insurance policies may limit the amount of insurance for off-premises belongings to 10% of the total amount of coverage for personal possessions. “This means if the parents have $70,000 worth of insurance for their belongings, only $7,000 would be applicable to possessions in the dorm,” Melchionni said. “But, not all insurance policies include this type of limit, so you should check with your agent or company representative about your specific policy.”
Computer and electronic equipment and items such as jewelry may also be subject to coverage limits under a standard home owners policy. If the limits are too low, you can buy a special personal property floater or an endorsement for these items. There are also stand-alone insurance policies for computers and cell phones.
Another option is buying a stand-alone policy specifically designed for students living away at college. This can be an economical way to provide additional insurance coverage for a variety of potential losses.
Students who live off campus are likely not covered by their parents’ home owners policy and may need to purchase their own renters insurance. Parents should consult with their insurance agent or company representative to see if their home owners or renters policy extends to off-campus living situations.
For students going off to college, NYIA recommends the following:
Leave valuables at home if possible. While it may be necessary to take a computer or sports equipment to campus, other expensive items, such as valuable jewelry, luxury watches, or costly electronics, should be left behind or kept in a local safety deposit box.
Create a “dorm inventory.” Before leaving home, students should make a detailed inventory of all
the items they are taking with them, and revise it every year. Having an up-to-date inventory will help get insurance claims settled faster in the event of theft, fire, or other types of disasters. For an easy way to create an inventory, use the Insurance Information Institute’s free home inventory software, available at www.KnowYourStuff.org.
Engrave electronics. Engrave electronic items such as computers, televisions, and portable devices like iPods with the student’s name or other identifying information that can help police track the stolen articles
.
NYIA offers the following advice to guard against theft of your personal belongings on campus:
Always lock your dorm room door and keep your keys with you at all times, even if you leave briefly. And not just at night — most dorm thefts occur during the day. Insist your roommates do the same.
Do not leave belongings unattended on campus. Whether you are in class, the library, the dining hall, or other public areas, keep book bags, purses, and laptops with you at all times. These are the primary areas where property theft occurs
.
Buy a laptop security cable and use it. A combination lock that needs decoding may be just enough to dissuade a thief.
If your child plans to have a car on campus, choose a safe, reliable vehicle, and do some research to find the best auto insurance rate. Your first stop should be your own insurance company as it may offer a multi-policy discount. If you decide to keep the student’s car at home, be sure to contact your auto insurance company, as many insurers give discounts for students who are living at a school that is at least 100 miles from home.
Source: The New York Insurance Association
Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/news/articles/kids-heading-college-may-be-covered-your-home-owners-policy/#ixzz1Y2IXPxbR
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