JUST IN TIME | Sending your student off to college
Yes. College students are typically covered under their parents’ car insurance, as long as they live at the same address as their parents when not at school.
Review your specific policy to see if your child is covered.
Am I going to be paying more for insurance?
It depends. Rates may change if the student is driving the car at school, rather than leaving it back at home. (For example, drivers in urban locations generally pay more for insurance than those in rural areas.)
Are any discounts available?
Yes. And now you have another reason to push your child to study hard: Students with solid grades may qualify for a good-student discount.
If you have a child in college or heading off to school soon, get in touch with your insurance agent for more information.
Tips for students
Sending your son or daughter to college is an experience that comes with exhilaration, stress and a measure of anxiety. Relieve some of that worry by giving your young adults pointers for keeping themselves and their belongings safe while they’re away from home.
Whether they are close by at the University of Washington or heading out of state to Stanford or Yale, it never hurts to take some precautions to make sure everyone stays safe. Here are some tips for students:
•Tour the campus during the day to familiarize yourself with the facilities and the locations of emergency phones.
•Tell a friend or roommate where you’re going before venturing out.
•Avoid leaving your electronics, school bag or other belongings unattended.
• Report suspicious people or vehicles to campus security.
•Avoid walking alone on campus, especially at night. If you don’t have someone with you, call security and request an escort.
•Travel along well-lit paths around campus, rather than taking shortcuts through side streets and alleyways.
•Be aware of your surroundings. Remove your headphones, and pocket your phone.
•Keep your keys out when walking to your vehicle, dorm or apartment.
•Purchase pepper spray and a whistle to attach to your keychain or store in your bag.
•Lock all doors and windows when you’re sleeping or away from your room.
• Never invite strangers into your apartment or residence hall.
• Take an inventory of the items you bring to school. Valuables should be left at home.
•Document the serial numbers on your electronics. Knowing these numbers could make the items easier to locate if stolen.
•Follow your residence hall’s policy for cooking, extension cords and candles. If candles are permitted, keep a close eye while they burn, and never leave a candle burning when you are not in the room.
•Only drink if you’re of legal age, and do so responsibly. Pour your own beverages, keep track of your glass and arrange for a designated driver or taxi to take you home.
Tips for parents?
Before the school year starts, talk to your insurance agent about your student’s insurance needs.
•A personal-articles policy can provide additional coverage for electronics, musical instruments, sports equipment and more.
•Renters insurance can help protect against property loss and liability in off-campus housing.
Again, if your student is taking a vehicle to school, make sure he or she is adequately insured. Remind your student that insurance rates may be impacted negatively as a result of traffic violations — and positively with potential discounts for good grades. A good-student discount is an easy way to get that additional discount, and it’s offered to students and recent graduates.
EMILY WANG HAWKINS is a State Farm agent in Madison Park. To suggest future topics or more information, visit www.myagentemily.com, or call (206) 588-0416. To comment on this column, write to MPTimes@nwlink.com.