When your child leaves for college, it’s a period of profound change that can be a challenging adjustment. Many moving parts and checklists must be completed for this new life experience. One item you should add to your list is speaking with your insurance provider to ensure your student still has coverage while they are away.  

Do I Need to Update My Home and Auto Insurance When My Child Goes to College? 
Fortunately, most homeowners insurance policies will extend to your student’s belongings while living on campus. Some insurance providers may have a list of requirements to qualify for coverage. These criteria may state that your child must be a full-time student, live on campus, be under the age of 24 and be a relative of the insured on the homeowners policy. If your student chooses to live off campus, obtaining a renters insurance policy may be recommended.  

If your child is taking a vehicle to college, you should notify your insurance agent. The vehicle and your student should still be covered if the vehicle is listed on your insurance policy. However, the insurance company must be notified that its storage location has changed; otherwise, you risk a potential claim being denied. If your student is not taking a vehicle you own to college, you may be able to remove them from your policy or change them to an occasional driver instead of a primary driver. 

What Insurance Do College Students Need? 
The following are some types of insurance you may want to consider for your student: 

• Renters insurance—If your child lives in a house or apartment off campus, you should consider helping them obtain a renters policy, especially if they take valuable items. A renters insurance policy may help protect their personal belongings, such as jewelry, laptops and other electronic devices. Renters insurance may also include personal liability coverage to help cover lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage for which they are responsible.  
• Auto insurance—If your student is taking a vehicle you own, you should make sure they are included in your insurance policy. If they own their vehicle, they should have their own auto insurance policy. 

Insurance for College Students on Long Island  
Contact Lupton & Luce Inc. to discuss your questions and concerns regarding insurance as your child heads to college. We can help ensure that you and your student have proper coverage for any unexpected incidents while they are away at school. 

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.