Insurance Curator College and university years bring new freedoms — and new risks. Whether you're living in a dorm, renting an apartment, driving to campus, or studying abroad, the right insurance protects your belongings, finances, and health. This guide breaks down renters, auto, and health coverage for campus and study-abroad students, with practical tips, cost estimates, and a simple decision checklist.
At-a-glance: What students need and why
- Renters insurance protects personal property and provides liability coverage if someone is injured in your rented space.
- Auto insurance is legally required in most states; students who drive also need coverage for liability and physical damage.
- Health insurance may be covered under a parent or school plan, but study-abroad students often need additional travel or international health plans.
Read on for coverage priorities, sample limits, cost ranges, and action steps for both on-campus and study-abroad scenarios.
Renters insurance for students (on- and off-campus)
Why it matters:
- College students often keep expensive electronics, textbooks, and instruments in small living spaces — items that are easy targets for theft or damage.
- Most campus housing policies cover the building but not a student’s personal property or personal liability.
What to look for:
- Personal property coverage (replacement cost vs. actual cash value)
- Liability coverage (at least $100,000 recommended)
- Loss of use / additional living expenses if your housing becomes uninhabitable
- Scheduled personal property endorsement for high-value items (laptop, camera, musical instruments)
Typical costs and limits:
- Monthly premium: $8–$30 depending on location and limits
- Recommended minimums: $20,000–$30,000 personal property; $100,000 liability
Practical tips:
- Keep a digital inventory (photos, receipts, serial numbers).
- Consider a higher deductible to lower premiums if you’re insuring a dorm with low theft risk.
- Parents’ homeowners policy may provide limited off-premises coverage for students — verify before buying a separate policy.
Auto insurance for students
Key considerations:
- Students can often remain on a parent’s auto policy — and that’s usually cheaper than buying a standalone student policy.
- Notify the insurer if the student garaging address changes (some policies offer student-away discounts).
- Maintain an appropriate mix of liability and physical damage (collision/comprehensive) based on vehicle value.
Recommended baseline:
- Liability limits: 100/300/100 (example) or at least state minimums — higher limits reduce personal financial risk.
- Comprehensive/collision if the car is worth more than your deductible.
Discounts to seek:
- Good student discounts (GPA requirements apply)
- Multi-policy bundling with renters or parents’ home/auto
- Safe driver, anti-theft devices, low-mileage/student-away discounts
Estimated costs:
- Student drivers typically pay $80–$250+/month, heavily dependent on driving record, age, vehicle, and location.
If you’re a young driver, see: Best Insurance for Young Drivers: Affordable Auto Coverage, Discounts, and When to Add an Umbrella.
Health insurance: campus plans, parents’ coverage, and study-abroad options
Domestic students (in the U.S.):
- Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you can remain on a parent’s health plan until age 26 — often the cheapest, simplest option.
- Many universities require enrollment in a Student Health Plan (SHP). If you have comparable coverage, you may be able to waive the SHP — confirm waiver rules and deadlines.
Study-abroad students / international students:
- University-sponsored international student plans may cover overseas care but often exclude emergency evacuation or repatriation — check details.
- Consider travel medical insurance or international student health insurance (ISHI) with:
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions (if needed)
- Telemedicine access and mental health services
Cost guidance:
- Staying on parents’ plan: often no additional premium
- University SHP: $100–$800 per semester (varies widely)
- International/travel medical plans: $1–$10/day depending on coverage and destination
Study-abroad tip: Purchase coverage that includes emergency medical evacuation and 24/7 assistance. Confirm whether your visa or school requires specific minimums.
Quick comparison table: Renters vs. Auto vs. Health (student-focused)
| Type | Main purpose | Recommended minimums | Typical monthly cost | Key add-ons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renters | Protect belongings & liability | $20k–$30k property; $100k liability | $8–$30 | Scheduled property, flood add-on |
| Auto | Liability and vehicle protection | State minimums; consider 100/300/100 | $80–$250+ | Roadside, rental reimbursement |
| Health | Medical treatment & emergencies | ACA coverage; ISP for abroad | $0–$800/semester (domestic) or $30–$300+/month (international) | Evacuation, prescription coverage |
Liability and umbrella considerations
- Students living off-campus who host gatherings should maintain solid renters liability.
- If a student owns significant assets (rare), consider an umbrella policy to extend liability limits. For guidance on when to add umbrella coverage as a young driver, see: Best Insurance for Young Drivers: Affordable Auto Coverage, Discounts, and When to Add an Umbrella.
Step-by-step checklist: How to choose the right student insurance
- Determine your living situation: dorm, off-campus apartment, home with parents, studying abroad.
- Inventory valuables and estimate replacement cost.
- Confirm parental coverage options: auto and health (ACA age 26 rule).
- Check school requirements for SHIP or study-abroad insurance.
- Compare quotes from multiple insurers and verify financial strength and claims service.
- Ask about student discounts (good grades, defensive driving, multi-policy).
- Add endorsements for expensive items (scheduled property) or evacuation coverage for overseas study.
- Save policy documents and emergency contact numbers digitally.
For timing guidance across life events, see: Timing Your Purchase: When Each Life Stage Should Buy or Update Auto, Home, Life, and Disability Insurance.
Common FAQs
- Can I stay on my parents’ auto and health insurance while at college?
- Yes — many students stay on parents’ health coverage until age 26 and on parents’ auto policies (often cheaper). Tell the insurer if the primary garaging address changes.
- Do dorms require renters insurance?
- Most don’t require it, but it’s strongly recommended since dorm buildings usually won’t cover personal property.
- What should I buy for a semester abroad?
- A combination of international student health insurance and travel medical/evacuation coverage is often best.
Final tips and resources
- Always read exclusions and definitions: “wear-and-tear” and certain sports or adventure activities may be excluded from study-abroad plans.
- Check insurer ratings (AM Best, J.D. Power) and read recent claims reviews.
- For a broader demographic view on coverage priorities for young adults and families, consult: Demographic Insurance Playbook: Coverage Priorities and Common Questions for Young Adults, Families, and Seniors.
If you need a tailored recommendation, tell me:
- Where you’ll live (dorm, apartment, with parents, abroad),
- Whether you’ll drive, and
- Whether you already have parent or school coverage — I’ll outline the best next steps and likely costs.