Do College Students Need Renters Insurance?

Do College Students Need Renters Insurance? Some students may think they need renters insurance, while others may not. Some students may feel that they need it because of the possibility of being displaced in a home, or because they may be homeless and need to be covered for that. Others may not need it, because they are not likely to be displaced in a home, or they have a quality insurance policy that they can rely on. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they need renters insurance.

There is no definitive answer to this question as each student’s needs will differ. However, some common needs that college students may want to consider include:
– Renters insurance as a way to protect yourself in the event that you are injured while living in a rental property.
– A policy in case of fire or theft in your rental unit.
– A policy in case of a health scare in your housing unit.

However, many colleges and universities offer renters insurance as a courtesy to their students. This insurance offers protection against any risks that may arise while living in a rental property, such as fire, theft, or vandalism. Additionally, renters insurance can help to cover your personal items, such as your car, if your landlord is sued.

This is what Valuepenguin have to say:

Do college students need renters insurance?

In general, we strongly recommend that college students have insurance or some kind of financial protection on their property. You may not seem to have many personal belongings, but their value can add up quickly. A laptop, software, television, art supplies, jewelry and other belongings can easily reach thousands of dollars.

College students usually have little money saved in the event of an emergency, so losing your possessions would be especially devastating if you can’t afford to replace your belongings. However, a student who has renters insurance would be able to file a claim and only have to pay a deductible to replace their personal property.

The most important considerations are whether you live on or off campus and whether you are protected by your parents’ homeowners or renters insurance policy.

External Reference

The New York Times have added to Why College Student Needs Renters Insurance:

The insurance can help pay for personal property that is stolen or damaged by accidents like fires from cooking. It offers liability coverage to help cover medical and legal costs if someone is injured at your place or someone’s belongings are damaged. And some policies pay for a hotel and meals, if a calamity leaves the property unlivable.

Students may not think they have much gear, but replacing clothes, furniture and electronic gadgets adds up. A stolen backpack with a laptop, tablet and textbooks can easily total $3,000, said John Fees, co-founder and managing director with GradGuard, which markets student renter policies.

Students living in dorms may have partial coverage through their parents’ homeowner policies, said Loretta Worters, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group. This “off-premises” coverage, however, is often less than the homeowner policy’s benefit limit — say, 10 percent. If the policy covered belongings up to $100,000, the coverage for the dorm room would be $10,000.

READ: Is Renters Insurance Per Person?

What Is Renter’s Insurance?

The term renter’s insurance refers to property insurance that protects tenants who live in a rented dwelling. Coverage is provided by insurance companies in exchange for premiums paid by people living in apartments, single-family homes, and condominiums. Policies provide coverage for an insured party’s personal property as well as liability claims that are not due to a structural problem with the property. These kinds of policies also cover living expenses that need to be paid out when someone makes an insurance claim after their unit is damaged. Although renter’s insurance isn’t a legal requirement, some landlords prefer their tenants to have some type of coverage.

READ: When Do You Need Renters Insurance?