Generally, your homeowners insurance policy will cover your child’s belongings while they’re away at college as long as they’re living on campus. However, it will not cover them in off-campus student housing or other apartments. The coverage provided by a traditional homeowners insurance policy may be limited, especially for expensive technology like laptops, tablets, desktop computers, and their accessories. These items are usually capped at $2,500 or $5,000 depending on your policy.
Because of these limitations, many parents prefer to purchase a student renter’s insurance policy, which essentially functions as renters insurance. This article provides unbiased information about homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and dorm room coverage. It discusses what is covered by homeowners insurance, what is considered personal property, coverage limits for college students, liability coverage, and options for parents without homeowners insurance.
If you don’t have homeowners insurance, you can protect your student and their belongings with either a renters insurance policy or a dorm insurance policy. Renter’s insurance is essential if your child is living off-campus. It is designed to protect personal belongings in situations like fire, smoke, or theft. These policies are usually affordable and offer lower limits for smaller amounts of personal property.
When shopping for dorm room insurance or renters insurance, it’s recommended to reach out to your current insurers to see if they offer discounts or bundled policies. It’s also important to compare quotes from various insurers to ensure you are getting the best price. Online tools can make the shopping process simple, but be prepared with information about your child’s housing, property valuation, and dates of stay.
If your child is attending college out-of-state and your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover dorm room contents in that state, generally they will still be covered as long as they live on campus. However, coverage limits may be low. It’s important to read your homeowners insurance policy carefully and ask your agent for clarification. Additionally, student renters insurance policies are available as an alternative.
Overall, it’s essential to review your homeowners insurance policy and consider purchasing additional coverage if necessary to ensure your child’s belongings are protected while they’re away at college.