Does Your College-Bound Child Need Renters Insurance?

And you may be wondering whether your college-bound child needs a separate insurance policy to cover property and provide liability coverage. The last thing you need to be concerned about is their stolen or damaged stuff, like that new laptop you just bought. And having insurance coverage in case they accidentally cause damage to their living space is important too. Your homeowner's policy will often cover those things, but sometimes they need a separate renters policy.

On-campus vs. off-campus housing and home insurance

If the child lives in on-campus housing, such as a dorm or a school-owned property, the parent's home or renters insurance typically extends to the parent's homeowner’s policy. However, coverage varies by the carrier if the college kid lives in an off-campus apartment or house so it's best to check with your home insurance company. A landlord or property management company also may require you to purchase separate renters insurance. 

NNINS home insurance extends to your student

At NNINS, the parents' homeowners or renters insurance DOES extend valuable coverage to children away at college if they are full-time students and their permanent residence is still with their parents regardless of whether they live on campus or off. The NNINS coverage extended to the student includes 10% of the parent's Coverage C for the child's personal belongings, as well as certain liability coverage with some restrictions. 

Should your student purchase renter insurance with their roommate?  

If you decide to purchase a separate renters policy and the student lives with one or more roommates, they may be able to purchase renters insurance together. While sharing a policy can save money, there are downsides. One is that your roommate's claims also go on your claim’s history record, which may cause you to pay more at renewal. Problems can also arise when a roommate moves out or doesn't pay their share of the premium.

What does basic renters insurance cover?

Fortunately, renter’s insurance is a bargain for the protections provided in a basic policy listed below:

• Personal property – Protects the value of belongings from a covered event anywhere in the world, such as damage from a natural disaster, loss, or theft.
• Liability – Can protect against a claim or lawsuit if you accidentally hurt someone, or a visitor is injured in your rental.
• Additional living expenses – Can pay for temporary housing and meals if you can't live in your rental while covered damages are repaired.

Learn more about Renters Insurance

NNINS Blog Home

THE NORTHERN NECK INSURANCE INTEGRITY PROMISE — We pledge to provide straight talk and good counsel from our NNINS Virginia insurance experts through our blog. While we hope you find this to be a helpful source of information, it does not replace the guidance of a licensed insurance professional, nor does it modify the terms of your Northern Neck Insurance policy in any way. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy.