As your child heads off to college, there’s no doubt you’ve got a lot on your mind. What supplies will they need for their dorm room or college apartment? Will they get to class on time (or at all 😉)? Do they really need that overpriced t-shirt from the bookstore?
Before your child leaves, you’ll also need to decide which insurance coverages you should continue to carry on their behalf. It might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it can be very important to their (and your) financial well-being.
Auto insurance
Will your child be taking a car to school? Having a car means your child can drive home or run errands more easily, but keep in mind the parking provided by their school may not be protected or close to where they live.
If your child takes a car, notify your insurance company the car will be at school. This may affect your rate, especially if the school is in a large metropolitan area. If the car is a no-go, ask your insurer if there’s a reduced rate if the car isn’t driven while the student is away. And in either case, ask your agent if there’s a good student discount available.
Renters insurance
Your child’s property may be covered in a dorm room by your Homeowners policy (check to be sure), but there may be limits on coverage. You may need extra coverage for expensive items like laptops or tablets.
For an off-campus apartment, consider purchasing a renters insurance policy. Besides covering belongings, a renters policy also provides liability protection in case someone is injured on the property (check for personal injury coverage).
Health insurance
If you have a family health insurance policy, your child should be covered. Some schools also offer health insurance coverage for students while on campus for an additional fee. Check if your health insurance includes doctors and hospitals where your child attends school because you may pay a lot for health expenses if they’re considered out of network.
If you find that out-of-network costs could be an issue, consider adding a supplemental insurance policy to help offset the costs.
Life insurance
If you don’t have any life insurance on your child, consider an inexpensive policy, especially if your child will have student loan debt. Having coverage now may also help provide insurability for your child as they get older.
Contact your local Horace Mann representative to learn more.
Horace Mann Insurance Company and its affiliates underwrite Horace Mann auto and renters insurance. Horace Mann Life Insurance Company underwrites Horace Mann life insurance products. National Teachers Associates Life Insurance Company, a Horace Mann Company, underwrites Horace Mann supplemental insurance products.
WBTL-0762 (7-23)