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While many back-to-school checklists exist, most forget to mention one important stop: a quick conversation with your insurance agent. Whether your scholar is headed to a big-name Ivy League school or the local community college this fall, this is a life milestone worth addressing before it's too late. Read on for a few tips on tying up loose ends before your student's first day.
Home and Renters Insurance
We all like to picture the best for our child's college experience, but the reality of events like theft or a fire shouldn't be forgotten. Depending on where your student decides to live, it's important to adjust your coverage accordingly.
If your student will still live at home full time, no immediate changes to your policy should be needed. It's still a perfect time to confirm that expensive items are scheduled individually. Fresh off graduation, some of the gifts from their open house may be worth a conversation with your agent — anything from laptops to jewelry can be listed separately so those items don't eat into your total coverage in a claim.
If your student will live in a dorm, coverage may extend from your current homeowners or renters policy. Many policies allot up to 10% of your personal property coverage (Coverage C) toward belongings away from home. That said, policy language varies and can carry conditions, so it's best to confirm the details with your agent. As mentioned, this is also a good moment to check whether any high-value items should be scheduled individually so your student isn't left underinsured. In many cases, a policy written specifically for your student's personal property and liability is the better route.
If your student plans to rent off campus, coverage generally can't be extended from your existing policy. Because the apartment or rental home becomes their own primary residence, the policy needs to be in their name. The good news is that renters insurance is typically one of the most affordable policies you can buy — your exact premium depends on things like coverage limits and location, so ask your agent for a quote. When the policy is written, check whether any belongings should be scheduled individually.
Auto Insurance
If your student is able to bring a vehicle to campus this fall, you'll want to confirm how your coverage applies. First and foremost, if the vehicle is owned by and titled to your student, your policy won't extend to it and they'll need their own. Requirements vary by state, but generally, if your student attends classes full time and keeps your home as their primary address, coverage can often be extended — your agent can confirm what applies to your policy. Skipping a separate policy can save hundreds of dollars a year. Just don't forget to let your insurance company know the new garaging address to avoid issues down the road.
If your student is leaving the car at home, it's still wise to keep them listed as a driver on your policy. In Michigan, your policy can protect you even when you aren't the one behind the wheel. If your student walks or bikes around campus, your coverage may offer protection if they're injured by an automobile along the way. It can also come into play when your student is driving or riding in a friend's vehicle that may not carry adequate coverage. It's always best to err on the side of caution rather than assume others are fully covered.
Health Insurance
Health coverage is easy to overlook in the move-in shuffle, but it belongs on the list. Under current federal rules, young adults can typically stay on a parent's health plan until age 26, so in most cases your student can keep the coverage they already have. A couple of things worth confirming:
- Network reach. If your student is heading out of the area, check whether their plan has in-network doctors and urgent care near campus. Many schools also offer a student health center or a student health plan worth comparing.
- Prescriptions. Make sure any regular medications can be filled near school, and look into mail-order or national pharmacy options if needed.
A quick review of these details now can save a stressful scramble later.
A Quick Back-to-School Insurance Checklist
- Confirm whether dorm belongings are covered under your policy — and to what limit
- Schedule high-value items (laptops, jewelry, instruments) individually
- Decide whether an off-campus student needs their own renters policy
- Review how your auto coverage applies, and update the garaging address if a car goes to school
- Keep your student listed as a driver, even if the car stays home
- Verify health coverage and in-network care near campus
We're Here to Help
Since 1974, our mission of serving the communities we love has stayed the same. As a third-generation agency, we understand what family means, and we treat yours as an extension of our own.
We want you to celebrate this milestone without getting lost in the stressful details. We can't help you pack or move boxes into the new place, but we can simplify the insurance side so you have one less thing to worry about. Get in touch today — we'd be glad to help.
Call us at 800-686-8664, or reach out to your local Top O' Michigan office by emailing Service@TheSpireTeam.com.