Back to College: Insurance Checklist

If you recently sent your child off to their first year of college, chances are insurance coverage wasn’t at the top of your list of things to think about. There are lots of ways your insurance coverage can help protect your college student while he or she is away from home for the first time. We broke it down into a few simple tips:

Is your college student covered?

First and foremost, it’s important to figure out if your college-age child is covered by your insurance. Ask your agent if your child is covered, or if he or she needs renters’ insurance or car insurance to protect their dorm room and car.

Inventory what your child took to college.

Be sure you make a list of all the belongings your child took to school – think of it as a personal inventory list. If something happens to their things, you may need to file an insurance claim. The Insurance Information Institute has created free, web-based software to create an inventory, available at KnowYourStuff.org.

Do they have a computer at school?

Things happen, like a spilling water on a laptop during a study group, so don’t be caught without coverage. Many companies require a special policy to cover computers on campus. Fortunately, West Bend’s Home and Highway® Policy automatically covers this risk.

Is your child living in the dorms?

What is your student’s living situation – dorm or apartment? Students in dorms are covered for liability and personal property coverages under the Home and Highway® Policy. If they live off campus in a house or an apartment, there may not be coverage under your policy. Your insurance agent will help determine what, if any, additional coverage you may need.

Did your child bring a vehicle to college?

If so, you could be eligible for discounts! Always maximize the auto insurance discounts for which your family is eligible. Check with your agent about changing your student and vehicle status. These discounts, coupled with driving safely and remaining claim and violation free, all help your overall insurance savings.

Remind your child to study!

Statistics show that students with good grades are less likely to have accidents and are safer drivers overall. That’s why insurance carriers offer a variety of student discounts based on grades and location.

About West Bend Mutual Insurance

Founded in 1894, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company is headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin, and provides property/casualty insurance products throughout the Midwest. The company offers a broad personal lines coverage package, a full range of commercial products and services, insurance for specialty lines and a surety division. West Bend employs more than 1,200 associates and is represented by approximately 2,300 independent insurance agencies throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Tennessee. The company has been rated A (Excellent) or better by A.M. Best since 1971. West Bend also consistently ranks higher than its competitors in an agency loyalty survey.