Insurance for College Students: What Every Parent Should Know

Sending your child off to college is an exciting milestone—full of growth, learning, and new adventures. But it also brings new responsibilities, including helping them understand how insurance works.  

If you’re unsure what your homeowners policy covers while they are away, you’re not alone. Coverage can vary depending on whether your student lives in a dorm or off-campus, but in both cases, safeguarding their belongings matters. Here’s what you need to know about insurance for college students. 

Is My College Student Covered by My Homeowners Insurance? 

Parents often ask whether their homeowners insurance covers their child’s belongings when they go to college. The short answer is yes—most homeowners insurance policies cover your student’s personal property, even when at colleges and universities. However, coverage typically depends on a few key factors: 

Residency: Your student must be a “resident relative”—usually meaning they lived in your home before moving to college and are under a certain age (often 24 or younger). 

Full-time Enrollment: Coverage generally applies only if your student is enrolled full-time at an accredited institution. 

Age Limits: Most policies set age caps, often around 24 years old, for students living away from home. 

Coverage Limits: Off-premises coverage may be limited to about 10% of your total personal property coverage. 

Roommates: Your homeowners insurance plan only covers your student’s belongings. It will not extend to roommates’ property. 

Because coverage details can vary by insurer, it’s important to review your policy. Check with your insurance representative to confirm how these conditions apply to your policy. 

What Parts of My Homeowners Policy Extend to My College Student? 

Many families don’t realize their homeowners insurance can double as student insurance. It may cover belongings and liability for a college student living on campus. Here are the coverages to keep in mind:

Personal Property Coverage (Coverage C) 

Personal property coverage protects your student’s belongings—whether they’re stolen, damaged, or destroyed—at home, on campus, or anywhere else. For example, a laptop may be stolen from a dorm room or sports equipment could be damaged during a pickup game—these are the types of losses personal property coverage can help with. 

College students often bring expensive gear to campus, such as electronics, gaming consoles, and musical instruments, making this coverage especially important. Still, keep in mind: 

• Deductibles: The loss needs to exceed your deductible amount. If your deductible is $1,000, the cost to repair or replace the item must be over $1,000 for coverage to apply. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay out of pocket. 

• Coverage Limits: Most insurance policies limit coverage for property away from home to about 10% of your total personal property limit. If your policy covers $100,000 in contents, off-premises coverage may be capped at $10,000. 

• Policy Changes: If your student has expensive equipment or instruments, consider increasing your personal property limits. You can also schedule this property to ensure it’s adequately protected. 

Personal Liability (Coverage E)

This coverage protects your student if they accidentally cause injury to someone else or damage another person’s property. For example, If your student hosts a small gathering and a guest slips and breaks an arm, personal liability can help cover medical costs and legal fees if a lawsuit follows. 

Medical Payments to Others (Coverage F)

This coverage pays for medical bills if an injury occurs on your student’s property—even if no lawsuit is filed. For instance, if a visitor trips on an area rug in the dorm room and requires a trip to urgent care, this coverage can help.  

Special Considerations: Expensive Items Like Instruments or Collections

Many students have high-value items such as musical instruments, gaming systems, or collections. While personal property coverage may apply, limits often fall short. You may need to schedule personal property endorsements to fully protect these items. This also applies to fine jewelry, which often requires separate coverage, even if stored in your home. 

Does the Student Need to Live On Campus?

Where your child lives can significantly affect their insurance coverage. Coverage can vary if they live in a dorm, an off-campus apartment, or fraternity or sorority house, and it’s important to understand the differences.

Dorm Insurance: Most homeowners policies offer some coverage for your student’s belongings while they live in a dorm. This includes protection against theft, fire, and other covered perils.

Apartments and Off-Campus Housing: Coverage becomes more complex when students live off campus. While some homeowners policies may extend limited protection, insurers often recommend purchasing renters insurance—especially if your student lives with roommates.

Greek Life: Insurers typically do not consider fraternity or sorority houses as part of your home’s insured premises. As a result, personal property and liability coverage may not apply. Renters insurance or special coverage is often needed.

Should College Students Consider Renters Insurance?

When your child moves off campus, renters insurance for college students is a simple way to reduce risk. 

Why Renters Insurance? 

Renters insurance for college students provides several key benefits: 

• It covers personal property. 

• It includes liability protection. 

• It helps pay for additional living expenses if their rental becomes unlivable due to a covered event. 

• It can cover belongings stored in cars or other locations. 

When to Consider Renters Insurance? 

Your child may need renters insurance in the following situations: 

• When they move off campus because your homeowners policy may no longer apply. 

• When your child reaches a certain age, they may no longer qualify under your homeowners insurance. 

• If their landlord requires insurance. Many landlords now require proof of renters insurance before leasing. 

What It Costs 

Renters insurance is generally affordable, averaging around $15–$20 per month. It’s a small price to pay for protecting valuable belongings and reducing liability exposure. 

Dorm Insurance and the Importance of a Dorm Inventory

Dorm rooms are often small, shared spaces with roommates, making personal property more vulnerable to theft, loss, or accidental damage. That’s why keeping a detailed inventory of your student’s possessions is crucial. 

Use a home inventory app or simple spreadsheet to track what your student brings to campus. These apps allow you to photograph or video belongings and record serial numbers. Just remember to update inventory regularly, especially as new items are added throughout the year. 

Final Reminder for Parents

• Read Your Homeowners Policy: Ask your insurance agent about specific coverage for your college student. 

• Understand Deductibles: Know your policy’s deductible to decide if it makes sense to file a claim. 

• Evaluate Coverage Limits: If your student owns valuable items, speak with your agent about endorsements or separate policies. 

• Consider Renters Insurance: If your student is moving off campus, renters insurance for college students is often an affordable option. 

• Stay Proactive: Encourage your student to keep an inventory and take reasonable steps to protect their belongings. 

Whether your child lives in a dorm, apartment, or Greek housing, understanding your homeowners coverage—and exploring additional college student insurance options—can help you avoid costly surprises and provide your family with peace of mind.