Safety Tips for Students
Back to school season is here, and students across the country are moving into college dorms, returning to the roads, and getting ready for another year of fun, friends, and a lot of learning. From dorm life to off-campus apartments, cyber security to teen driving safety, here are a few tips to make sure you and your loved ones are safe and covered this Fall.
Road Safety & Car Insurance
Don’t text and drive, and avoid distracted driving. It’s easy to get distracted with a car full of friends or a buzzing phone, but it’s never worth your or others’ safety.
My teenager just got their license, but I do not allow them to drive my car. Do they need to be added to my insurance?
In most cases, the answer would be yes. Depending on your insurance company, most policies require every licensed person in your household to be listed on your policy unless they have a separate policy of their own. This includes a teenager who just received their license or a college student who still uses your address as their residence or visits regularly on weekends and vacations. Drivers who have a learners permit do not need to be added until they get an actual license.
Discounts
Students may also qualify for a “Good Student” and/or “Student Away” insurance discounts with a carrier like Arbella Insurance.
Cybersecurity
Whether in college or returning to middle or high school, most students today rely on their computers for studying, work, and play. Here are a few ways to make sure your computer and digital information stay safe.
- Make sure your operating system and applications are up-to-date
- Keep the latest antivirus and malware software installed to protect yourself and your personal information against cyber attacks
- Use strong, unique passwords for every account
- Avoid auto-storing your credit card information on websites, browsers, and apps
- Be careful on public wi-fi where hackers may be able to access your personal information. When working in coffee shops or other public places, consider using a hotspot instead.
- Backup your files on cloud-based programs like Google Drive. (Anyone who’s written a paper and lost it all at the last minute knows how important this is!)
Home cyber protection insurance
Home Cyber Protection insurance that can be added onto homeowner, condominium owner and renter policies. This endorsement can cover damage to property and equipment from cyber-attacks, losses to online fraud, ransomware attacks, data breaches and even cyberbullying.
Renters Insurance
Theft is common on college campuses. Whether you live alone or with roommates, insuring your residence and belongings when you live off campus is always a good idea. With renters’ insurance you’ll be able to:
- Cover your belongings in case of damage or theft
- Receive hotel accommodation if for some reason your apartment becomes inhabitable
- Afford it—comprehensive policies are generally very affordable (the average cost of renters insurance is about $15 per month)
Heading back to school is exciting, no matter what phase of schooling you’re in. But before jumping in to the semester, make sure you and your parents fully understand your insurance coverage. Contact a local Bearingstar agent today to see what policies and options will work best for you.
Call us at 877-801-7424 in Massachusetts, and 888-519-9996 in Connecticut.
Sources:
- 5 Back to School Cybersecurity Tips for College Students. Brilliant Security Magazine. https://brilliancesecuritymagazine.com/cybersecurity/5-back-to-school-cybersecurity-tips-for-college-students/
- Teen Safe Driving. NHTSA. https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving
- A Comprehensive Guide to Renters Insurance. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/insurance/renters-insurance/