Sending Your Child Off to College: Here’s How Your Insurance Coverage Works for Your Student

As your child prepares to leave for college or university this fall, it's important to understand how your insurance policy covers them while they're away.

Does Home Insurance Cover Your Child’s Belongings at School?

The good news is that your child’s belongings may be covered under your home insurance policy while they are away attending college or university.

If your child is a full-time student and their primary residence remains your home, coverage may extend to their personal belongings while they are living away at school. This can include items such as clothing, electronics, furniture, laptops, and other personal property, subject to the terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of your policy.

However, every insurance policy is different. It’s important to confirm with your insurance provider that your student meets the requirements for coverage while away at school.

If your child is no longer financially dependent on you, is not attending school full-time, or has established a separate primary residence, they will need their own tenant's insurance to properly protect their belongings and liability.

What Does Tenants Insurance Include?

If your student is renting an apartment, house, or other accommodation, tenants insurance provides valuable protection. While tenant insurance isn't mandatory in Nova Scotia, some landlords may require it as a condition of the lease.

Tenants insurance can include:

• Personal Belongings: Protection for items such as clothing, electronics, furniture, and other personal property in the event of a covered loss.
• Personal Liability: Protection if your student is legally responsible for causing bodily injury to someone else or damage to someone else's property.
• Additional Living Expenses: If the rental becomes uninhabitable following a covered loss, coverage may help with additional living expenses while repairs are completed, subject to the policy.
• Damage to the Rental Property: Depending on the policy, coverage may apply to certain accidental damage your student causes to the rental property.

For higher-value items such as artwork, collectibles, musical instruments, or extensive record collections, special coverage or higher limits may be required. It’s a good idea to discuss these items with your insurance provider before your student leaves.

What About Belongings Away From Their Residence?

Your student's belongings don't necessarily stay in one place. They may take their laptop to class, bring a bicycle to campus, or travel home during school breaks. Many policies offer policy floaters for bikes or laptops, which would also allow a lesser deductible requirement in the event of a loss.

Personal property coverage may extend beyond the student's residence, but limits and exclusions can apply. Reviewing these details ahead of time can help avoid surprises if something is lost, stolen, or damaged.

What If Your Student Has Roommates?

If your student is sharing a rental with roommates, it's important to understand that one tenant's insurance policy does not automatically mean everyone in the household is covered.

Your student's policy is generally intended to protect their own belongings and liability. Roommates should speak with an insurance professional about their individual coverage needs.

What About Students Living in Residence?

Students living in a university or college residence can have different insurance considerations than students renting an apartment or house.

Depending on the circumstances and your policy, your student's belongings may be covered under your home insurance while they are living in residence. However, coverage limits and conditions can vary, so it's worth confirming coverage before they move in.

Car Insurance for Students Away at College
If your child will continue to drive your vehicle while they're away at school, make sure your insurance provider knows about their living and driving arrangements.

If your student only drives the vehicle when they're home for holidays and school breaks, they may be eligible to remain listed as an occasional driver rather than a primary driver. However, this depends on how and how often the vehicle is being used, as well as your insurer's rules.

Some insurance companies may also offer discounts for students who live away from home and do not regularly have access to a vehicle.

If your student is taking a vehicle with them to school, your insurance provider should be informed, as their location and usage may affect the policy.

Don't Forget to Update Your Insurance!

Moving away to school is a significant change, and it's a good time to review your insurance coverage. Before your student heads off, consider discussing:

• Where your student will be living.
• Whether they will be living in residence or a rental.
• What belongings they are taking with them.
• Any high-value items they own.
• Whether they will have access to or take a vehicle.
• How often they expect to return home.
• Whether they have roommates.

A quick conversation with our team can help determine whether your existing policies provide the appropriate coverage or whether additional insurance is recommended.