As the summer days wind down and the school year begins, parents everywhere are busy preparing their children for the new academic year. While shopping for school supplies and organizing schedules is at the top of the to-do list, there’s another critical aspect that often goes overlooked: insurance considerations. As your family embarks on the back-to-school journey, here are some important insurance-related tips to ensure your peace of mind throughout the school year.
Auto Insurance: Coverage for Teen Drivers
For many families, the start of the school year means new teen drivers taking the wheel. Whether they’re driving themselves to school or participating in after-school activities, ensuring they’re properly covered is essential.
- Check Your Coverage: Review your auto insurance policy to ensure your teen is included. Some policies automatically cover teen drivers, while others require them to be added as an additional driver.
- Consider Additional Coverage: If your teen is using a car that’s older or less valuable, you may want to consider adjusting the coverage levels to balance affordability with adequate coverage.
Coverage for Valuable Items: Laptops, Phones, and More
With technology playing a central role in education, students often carry expensive items like laptops, tablets, and smartphones. These items can be easily lost, stolen, or damaged, so it’s important to ensure they’re covered.
- Homeowners or Renters Insurance: Check if your homeowners or renters insurance policy covers personal belongings outside of the home, such as at school or during travel.
- Special Coverage: If your policy doesn’t fully cover high-value items, consider adding a rider for electronics or investing in a separate insurance policy specifically for these items.
Student Dorm Insurance: Coverage Away from Home
If you have a child heading off to college and living in a dorm or off-campus housing, their personal belongings may not be fully covered under your homeowners insurance policy.
- Check Your Policy: Some homeowners insurance policies extend coverage to students living in dorms, but it’s important to check the specifics, including coverage limits and any restrictions.
- Renters Insurance: For students living off-campus, consider purchasing renters insurance. This affordable option provides coverage for personal belongings and liability protection in case of accidents or damage to the rental property.
4. Health Insurance: Keeping Your Child Covered
With the hustle and bustle of the new school year, it’s easy to overlook health insurance. However, ensuring your child has the right health coverage is crucial, especially if they’re participating in school sports or other physical activities.
- Review Health Insurance Plans: Make sure your child is still covered under your family’s health insurance plan. If they’re attending college out of state, confirm that their health plan provides adequate coverage in that area.
- Sports Injuries: If your child is involved in sports, check whether their health insurance policy covers sports-related injuries. You may also want to consider supplemental insurance, which can help cover additional costs.
- Student Health Plans: Many colleges offer student health plans. Compare these options with your existing coverage to see if they provide better or more affordable coverage.
The back-to-school season is a time of excitement and new beginnings, but it’s also a time to reassess your family’s insurance needs. By taking the time to review and update your auto, home, health, and life insurance policies, you can ensure that your family is fully covered as the new school year unfolds. If you have any questions or need help navigating your insurance options, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at RG Insurance. We’re here to help you make sure your family is covered every step of the way.
