It’s an exciting and frightening time when children leave the home to attend school elsewhere, amidst all the planning and shopping it is extremely important to talk to your insurance agent about the impact this will have on your current insurance program.

Some things to consider:

• -Students with cars away at school should notify their insurance agent, since this change of garaging location could change the premium. Students away from home without access to a car could reduce the premium.

• -Students away at school may not be covered under the parents’ homeowners policy. Full time students up to age 24 are generally considered “insureds”. However, coverage under the homeowners policy for property at a residence other than the primary home is usually limited to 10% of the contents limit.

• -Students living in apartments, especially those they must furnish, often need their own tenant’s policy in order to adequately protect their contents. An added benefit of the tenant’s policy is the liability coverage afforded for such things as unintentional damage to property of others.

An often overlooked benefit of purchasing a tenants policy for your child at school is if there is a claim, you do not have to file it with your homeowners policy, so in essence you’re protecting your homeowners policy from a rate increase due to a loss.

Students living away should familiarize themselves with the nearest and alternate exits. A fire extinguisher is always a good idea. Microwaves, toasters and other heating appliances should never be left unattended. Subsequent damage caused by these or open flames (candles, cigarettes, incense or potpourri burners, etc.) could be a liability exposure, especially if use is a violation of school policy.

For parents and students, back to school time is not just for purchasing new clothes and supplies. It is a good time to review insurance policies to ensure they have proper coverage for students’ exposures.

Please call us at 877.587.2886 we will be happy to review your policy.