# Insurance When You Send a Kid to College
Sending a child off to college shifts several coverages at once — their car, their belongings in a dorm or apartment, and their status on your policies. A few small updates can save money and close real gaps. Here's what changes and how to handle it.
What Changes at This Moment
Your student may keep a car at home or take one to campus, which changes how they're rated on your auto policy. Their belongings — laptop, electronics, bike — now live away from home, where different rules apply. And a student living in an apartment (rather than a dorm) may need their own renters insurance. Meanwhile, a student who leaves their car at home may qualify for a student-away discount.
*A note on health coverage:* BNW does not write health insurance, including student health plans. For those, work with a licensed health specialist or your school's plan. Our focus is life, property, casualty, farm, and commercial lines.
Which Coverages to Review or Add
- Update the auto policy. Keep the student listed; claim the student-away discount if the car stays home, or re-rate for campus if it goes with them. See our Auto Complete Guide and How to Lower Your Insurance Premium.
- Dorm belongings are often covered under your homeowners policy's off-premises limit — confirm the cap and whether high-value electronics need more. See the Homeowners Complete Guide.
- Renters insurance for a student in an off-campus apartment, which homeowners generally won't extend to. See the Renters Insurance Complete Guide.
- Good-student discount, which many auto carriers offer for solid grades.
Common Gaps Parents Miss
- Removing the student from the auto policy entirely (rather than using the student-away discount), which can cause a gap when they drive home on break.
- Assuming dorm belongings aren't covered — they often are, but with a limit worth checking.
- No renters insurance for a student in an apartment.
- Missing the good-student and student-away discounts.
- Not scheduling an expensive laptop, instrument, or camera above the off-premises limit.
How an Independent Agency Helps
The college years are full of small, easily missed adjustments. Because BNW Services (dba InsureToday24) is independent, we fine-tune your auto for the student-away situation, confirm how the dorm belongings are covered, add an inexpensive renters policy if needed, and stack the good-student discount — usually lowering your bill while closing the gaps. Read Why Use an Independent Insurance Agent.
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Sending a kid to college? Call or text (573) 594-5148 — Lucy can update your coverage 24/7 — or begin at insuretoday24.com.
References
1. Insurance Information Institute — Insurance for college students — https://www.iii.org/article/off-to-college-heres-your-insurance-checklist
2. National Association of Insurance Commissioners — Consumer resources — https://content.naic.org/consumer.htm
3. Investopedia — Renters Insurance for College Students — https://www.investopedia.com/best-renters-insurance-4845202
4. USA.gov — College and financial aid — https://www.usa.gov/college-financial-aid
5. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — https://www.consumerfinance.gov
Related
- The Complete Guide to Auto Insurance
- Renters Insurance Complete Guide
- How to Lower Your Insurance Premium
- Reviewing Your Insurance Coverage After Major Life Events
- Why Use an Independent Insurance Agent
Watch
- Essential Guide to Renter's Insurance for College Students | On Your Side Podcast — by *Arizona's Family (3TV / CBS 5)*
- Car Insurance for College Students: When to Leave Family Plan — by *FreeAdvice.com*