Does My Student Living Away from Home Need Insurance?

August 28, 2023

If your post-secondary student is living away from home and living on campus, your home insurance may cover their belongings.

It’s also important to know that an insurance claim filed on behalf of your child can affect your home insurance rate.

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When are your child’s belongings covered by your home insurance?

Your home insurance policy will often cover your post-secondary student’s belongings if they are:

• A dependent
• Enrolled in school full-time
• Within the insurer’s age limits
• Living on campus or temporarily away from home

In these cases, your policy may include coverage for your child’s personal belongings and personal liability. It’s important to confirm what your home insurance covers and what the coverage limits are.

Make an inventory of your student’s belongings, take photos or videos, and keep receipts to ensure adequate coverage.

Keep in mind that filing a claim on behalf of your child can impact your home insurance premium. In some situations, purchasing a separate policy for your student may be the better option.

Your Western Coast home insurance expert can help you understand how your policy applies to a student living away from home.

When does a student need their own insurance?

Your student will generally need their own insurance if they:

• Do not live on campus
• Are not considered a dependent
• Attend school part-time
• Are financially independent
• Have permanently moved out of your home

If your student lives with roommates, their insurance only covers their belongings and liability — roommates must carry their own coverage.

Some post-secondary institutions require students living on campus to carry their own insurance. This coverage can sometimes be added as a rider to your home insurance policy.

If you’re adding a rider, ask your broker whether it includes liability only or also covers your child’s personal belongings, or whether those items remain covered under your existing home insurance.

What kind of insurance does your student need for their belongings?

To protect their possessions, a student living away from home may need contents coverage.

Contents insurance

Contents insurance protects your child’s belongings from theft, fire, vandalism, and other insured losses. Items such as laptops, electronics, furniture, and textbooks can add up quickly, making this coverage especially important.

Do students need other types of insurance?

If your student is renting a place off campus, they will typically need renters insurance. Many landlords require proof of renters insurance before a lease is signed.

Renters insurance is similar to home insurance and includes coverage for personal belongings, liability, and additional living expenses.

Liability coverage

If your student rents a home, liability protection is important. They could be held responsible for damage to the unit or injuries that occur there — for example, damage caused during a gathering.

Additional living expenses

Renters insurance can also cover additional living expenses if your student must move out temporarily due to an insured loss, such as fire or water damage. This coverage helps pay for alternative accommodations while repairs are completed.