Sending a student to college involves extensive planning, packing and preparation. One thing you don’t want to forget about is their insurance coverage, especially if they’ll be far from home. Make sure your student has all the documents and information they’ll need at school by chatting with them and your insurance representatives. Here are questions and talking points to get you started.
Rental Insurance
Unless they’re still living at home, most college students can benefit from rental insurance. Depending on your insurance policy and whether your student lives on (or off) campus, they may have enough coverage.
- Does my current homeowners insurance policy cover my student at college? If so, what is the coverage limit for my student?
- Are there specific items for which we should get an additional policy, such as musical instruments or photography equipment?
- How much renters insurance should my student have?
Auto Insurance
If your student is taking a vehicle to college, you want to make sure they are properly covered. However, even if they won’t have a car with them, there is still some information you’ll need to know.
- Should I keep my student on my policy or move them to their own policy?
- How does my student living in a different zip code or state affect our rates?
- What if my student needs coverage only for school breaks when they’re home?
- Will my student’s insurance history be negatively affected by an interruption in coverage?
- What if my student drives a friend’s car while at school?
Health Insurance
College students are eligible for insurance coverage under their parents’ plans until they’re 26 years old, but it’s good to make sure they understand how their coverage works and how to use it.
- Contact your health insurance provider to learn how being at school affects your student’s coverage.
- Review what your insurance does and does not cover with your student.
- Make sure your student knows whether their coverage is accepted at an on-campus health clinic. If it’s not or there is no clinic, find nearby doctor’s offices or urgent care clinics they can visit.
- Be sure your student knows your copay and prescription costs, as well as where they can obtain prescriptions while at school.
- If your student regularly takes medication, see if you can enroll them in a mail-in prescription program to help save time and costs.