Sending Your College Kid Off to School? Here’s the Insurance Checklist You Can’t Ignore

Justin Wolfe

August 11, 2025

The dorm room is booked, the laptop is charged, and the car is packed with everything from ramen noodles to extra-long twin sheets. Sending your child off to college is a huge milestone—but while you’re focused on move-in day and tuition bills, there’s one thing that shouldn’t be an afterthought: making sure they’re properly insured.

College brings new freedoms for your child—and new risks for your family. The right insurance coverage ensures those “life lessons” don’t come with a massive price tag.

1. Health Insurance: First on the List

Accidents and illnesses don’t take a semester off.

• Stay on Your Plan – Thanks to federal law, most kids can stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26. Check your network to make sure there are in-network doctors and urgent care centers near campus.

• Student Health Plans – Many colleges offer their own health plans, which can be a good option if your family plan has limited coverage in the school’s state.

• Questions to Ask Your Agent:

o Is my child covered under my existing health plan when they’re out of state?

o How does coverage work for mental health services at school?

2. Renters Insurance: Protecting Dorms and Off-Campus Apartments

That laptop, phone, and TV add up fast—and thefts and accidents happen more often than you’d think in dorms and apartments.

• Dorm Living – In many cases, a dependent child’s belongings are covered under your homeowners policy while they’re living in a dorm.

• Off-Campus Housing – Once your student moves into an apartment or house, they’ll likely need their own renters insurance policy.

• Questions to Ask Your Agent:

o Does my homeowners policy cover my child’s dorm room belongings?

o Do we need a separate renters policy for an off-campus apartment?

3. Auto Insurance: Driving in a New Environment

Whether your child is taking a car to school or leaving it at home, you’ll want to update your auto insurance.

• Car at School – Let your insurer know the new address, as location can affect rates.

• No Car on Campus – If they’re car-free but still on your policy, you may qualify for a “student away” discount.

• Questions to Ask Your Agent:

o Will my rates change if my student takes their car to school?

o What coverage applies if they borrow a friend’s car?

4. Liability Coverage: The Umbrella Policy Safety Net

College students are more independent than ever, which sometimes means more opportunities for… questionable decisions. If your child is found liable for injuries or property damage, whether from a car accident, party incident, or even social media—an umbrella policy can provide extra liability protection beyond your auto or homeowners limits.

• Questions to Ask Your Agent:

o What’s our current liability limit?

o Would an umbrella policy be a good idea now that my child is living away from home?

5. Health & Safety Beyond Insurance

While insurance is your financial safety net, prevention is key. Encourage your student to:

• Lock doors and windows, even when they’re home.

• Avoid sharing personal details (like address or class schedule) on social media.

• Keep valuables out of sight in vehicles and dorm rooms.

The Peace of Mind Package

Sending your child off to college is both exciting and nerve-wracking. You can’t control everything that happens while they’re away, but you can make sure they—and you—are prepared for the unexpected.

We help parents make sure their coverage matches their new reality when a child heads to school. From dorm rooms to road trips, we’ll walk you through every “what if” so you can feel confident that no exposure is left uncovered.

Got a college-bound student? Let’s talk before—you’ll be glad you did. Email us at Info@FIGFL.com