Kids In College? Make Sure They Have Enough Insurance Coverage

Are Your Student's Possessions Covered for Theft, Fire, or Damage?

California Casualty Management

Dorm life can be a lot of fun, but it can also expose your student and their possessions to the risk of theft, damage by fire or by vandalism. Your homeowners policy may provide enough coverage to replace your student's personal possessions should something happen to these items even if he or she is away at college.

Have a child at college? No doubt your student has taken along a computer, stereo, television and an impressive CD or DVD collection.

Dorm life can be a lot of fun, but it can also expose your kids and their possessions to the risk of theft, damage by fire or by vandalism. Your homeowners insurance policy may provide enough coverage to replace your student's personal possessions should something happen to these items even if he or she is away at college.

So, check that policy to ensure that everything they have with them at college is covered. If it isn't, you might want to consider purchasing extra coverage.

Typically, a homeowners policy covers property away from home, up to a limit of 10 percent of the contents coverage. For example, if your home is insured for $100,000 and the contents are covered for half that amount, which would amount to $50,000. Therefore, the property away from home is covered for $5,000 – minus the policy's deductible.

But even though you have coverage, you still have to consider if your child lives in a dormitory or an off-campus apartment. If your child lives in a dormitory and is under 26 years old, then most of the students' personal belongings are covered. Expensive items, such as jewelry or computers may require additional coverage.

If your child is living in an off-campus apartment, your homeowners policy probably will not apply. Many insurance companies do not consider the student a part of the household any longer when he or she moves into an apartment. You may need to purchase a separate renter's insurance policy, which is fairly inexpensive and provides property and liability protection.

Here are some tips from the Insurance Information Network of California. They may be useful in helping students protect their property in their dormitory room or in their apartment:

• Always lock your door even if you go out for just a few minutes. Thieves will take any opportunity to get in your room and grab something.
   
• Engrave all your possessions with an identification number such as your drivers license number. Thieves are less prone to stealing marked items because they are difficult to sell. Another benefit to engraving: if stolen, marked items will help police identify recovered property.
   
• Keep your cash or valuable items such as jewelry stored in a safe, which is usually provided by dormitories.
   
• Always close your curtains, lock your windows, and arrange your room so that the stereo and television are not on display. Don't give thieves a chance to see what you have.
   
• Be selective about giving out your room or telephone number or information to friends about where you keep your valuables or cash and when you won't be home. Usually criminals and victims know each other and the information is passed on inadvertently.
   
• Take extra precaution to safeguard your valuables during vacation as most thefts occur at this time.
   
• Keep an inventory of all your possessions in the event of a theft or fire. Store this list in a safe deposit box or fireproof box. An inventory will make it easier if you file a claim.

NEA Member Benefits offers two homeowners' insurance programs: NEA Members Auto and Home Insurance Program, underwritten by California Casualty Management Company, and NEA Homeowners Insurance, underwritten by Horace Mann Insurance Companies. Both programs offer special features and rates for NEA members and their families.

To learn more about these programs, visit www.neamb.com/insurance/neamit.jsp

You can now get an online rate quote from the NEA Members Auto and Home Insurance Program by clicking here: https://quoting.aplus.com/homequote/ processDefault.asp?MyAffinity=neamb.