Add 'review insurance’ to your college checklist
Send a link to a friend
[August
10, 2013]
ATLANTA -- Most college students
have a lot on their minds this time of year. Besides packing
clothes, school supplies and other essentials, it's time to meet up
with friends again, finalize class schedules and pick up the key to
a new dormitory room or apartment. It's also time to call your
insurance agent. That's advice from Lane Insurance Group in Atlanta
and Grinnell Mutual.
|
Moving to college, whether into a dormitory or an apartment, may
cause insurance needs to change. College students own valuable
electronic equipment -- laptops, smartphones, tablets, televisions
and more -- in addition to clothes, appliances and furniture. These
possessions may be protected under their parents' homeowners or
renters policies, but special limits may also apply. If an apartment
is rented off-campus, college students may not be covered under
their parents' policies. If students are taking a car with them to
school, they might want to check rates in the city or state where
they will be attending college before deciding whether or not to
remain on the family's auto policy. The best way to find out is to
call your local insurance agent.
Questions parents should ask their agent
-
What limits apply
to personal property in a dorm room?
-
Should an
additional endorsement be purchased for electronic equipment?
-
How will auto
insurance premiums change if my child takes his or her car to
college or if the car is left at home?
-
What are the
requirements for my college student to qualify for a
good-student discount?
-
How is insurance
coverage affected if my child goes to college part time instead
of full time?
-
Will my child be covered under my
homeowners or auto policies if he or she rents an apartment?
Moving off-campus? Learn the facts about renters insurance
Renters insurance provides coverage for loss or damage to
personal property as well as liability coverage for injuries or
damages for which the insured person is held liable.
Renters insurance is inexpensive. According to the National
Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average premium ranges
from just $15 to $30 per month -- approximately the cost of two
pizzas or three to four lattes per month. Some companies offer an
auto-home discount if the renter's vehicle is also insured through
them.
[to top of second column] |
How much coverage do you need?
When purchasing insurance, it's important to take inventory of
the apartment or dorm room contents to determine how much coverage
to purchase. When the dollar value of those items is calculated, the
total may be surprising.
If a claim is filed, a comprehensive list of items, including
purchase prices and serial numbers, may be required by the insurance
carrier. Make a quick inventory by taking photos or video of the
rooms or use an app like NAIC's MyHome Scra.AAP.book or Know Your
Stuff from the Insurance Information Institute. Store the inventory
in a secure, off-site location.
___
To learn more about the changing insurance needs of college
students, contact Lane Insurance Group in Atlanta at 217-648-2015 or
online at lane-insurance.com.
With peace of mind about insurance coverage, college students can
get back to more important things, like studying for their first
exam or ordering pizza on Friday night.
[Text from file received from
Lane
Insurance]
Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co., in
business since 1909, provides reinsurance for farm mutual insurance
companies and property and casualty insurance products through more
than 1,600 independent agents in 12 Midwestern states. Grinnell
Mutual is the 123rd-largest property-casualty insurance company in
the United States and the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual
companies in North America. For more information, visit
http://www.grinnellmutual.com/.
|