Do college students need insurance?

Just like that, college is back in session and back in person, meaning a mass of 18 to 22 year olds have all just moved into dorms and apartments and windowless basement flats. These arrangements are normally short-term, usually lasting a year or two — or maybe even just a semester. Still, students fill their spaces with all sorts of knick knacks and necessities, from electric tea kettles and extra-long sheets to fancy pillows and some desk fan known as the Woozoo.  

But as with any living situation, there are insurance risks to consider. Because colleges and universities typically aren’t responsible for personal belongings stolen from a dorm room, it’s a good idea to think about what, if any, insurance options might be available before setting off for campus.

For many, this discussion will be simple: dependents (a class which includes college students) may be partially covered by preexisting homeowners and renters policies. Because the exact amount offered can vary per policy, you’ll want to ask your parents to speak with their provider — especially as this often only applies to students who live in dorms. 

Students who elect to live off campus, or who aren’t covered by these policies, may want to purchase their own renters policy, which can be an affordable way to protect their belongings. In fact, some landlords require their tenants to purchase renters insurance, so you may need it anyway. 

Other things to consider before waving goodbye to Mom and Dad are stand-alone insurance policies for items like computers or smartphones, which will protect you against any unforeseen damage. Likewise, if you’re taking a car to school, you’ll need automobile insurance (though you probably already had the car insured anyways, right? Right!). But on the flip side, if you leave your car at home, you may even be eligible for a discount. 

Heading off to college is a momentous occasion, and one that shouldn’t be mired in insurance concerns. Lucky for you, we’ve published the College Student's Guide to Insurance, which covers all your insurance questions in even more depth. And that’s a good thing, because you should be spending college thinking about things that really matter, like how long one can survive on dining hall pizza (a purely theoretical question, of course!).

Here at Marble, we want to make sure you’re protected at all major life milestones. That’s why we’ve built the first digital wallet and rewards platform for insurance. Create your account today.