Updated: June 9, 2025
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Homeowners insurance may cover college students living in on-campus housing, depending on age, full-time status, and residence.
Off-campus students typically aren’t covered and should consider renters insurance for full protection of their belongings and liability.
Coverage for students is often limited to 10% of personal property coverage, so high-value items may require additional insurance.
Homeowners insurance can extend coverage to college students if they live on campus, are under a certain age (often 24), and are enrolled full-time. This may include:
Always check your specific policy, as eligibility and limits vary by provider.
Your homeowners policy likely won’t cover your college student if:
If your student lives in an off-campus apartment or rental home, your homeowners policy usually won’t apply. These living arrangements often fall outside the coverage boundaries.
Most policies only extend coverage to students who are enrolled full-time. If your child is attending part-time, they may not qualify as an insured dependent under your policy.
Homeowners insurance often limits coverage to students under a certain age — typically 24. Older students may no longer meet eligibility criteria.
Some policies strictly limit coverage to your primary residence. If the insurer excludes protection for dependents living away from home, your student may not be covered at all.
Yes, especially if they live off-campus. Renters insurance is typically inexpensive and provides essential protections, including personal property coverage, liability insurance and loss-of-use benefits if the unit becomes uninhabitable. It helps fill the gap when a homeowners policy no longer applies, ensuring students are financially protected while living independently.
Although a standard homeowners insurance policy will help college students repair or replace their items in case of a loss, it's better to avoid losses altogether. Students should consider leaving their valuables at home and take safety precautions like locking dorm room doors.
It may not be possible to leave electronics like laptops and tablets behind when going to college. But items like valuable jewelry and luxury watches are probably better left at home.
Never leave personal belongings unattended in a classroom, library or dining hall.
Always lock the door and make sure roommates do the same.
Understand how microwave ovens and hot plates work and take safety precautions to prevent fires when cooking.
If your child is in college, choosing the right homeowners insurance or adding renters insurance can save you money and stress. Providers like State Farm, Hippo, Lemonade and Toggle offer affordable policies that extend limited coverage to college students in dorms.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best fit for your family. The average homeowners insurance policy costs around $175 per month, but your rate depends on your location, coverage level and property value.
Use MoneyGeek's personal property calculator to estimate your coverage needs and protect both your home and your student's belongings.
When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.
Clothes, shoes, bags, belts, hats, gloves, etc.
Homeowners insurance can offer partial protection for college students living in dorms, but coverage is often limited in scope and value. If your student lives off-campus, owns high-value electronics or doesn’t meet eligibility criteria, renters insurance can offer more reliable protection.
To ensure the best coverage for your needs, compare homeowners and renters insurance quotes from multiple providers.
Have questions about what’s covered when your child heads to college? Our FAQ explain how homeowners insurance applies and when renters insurance might be the better choice.
Yes, if they meet age and full-time enrollment requirements and live on campus.
Most homeowners insurance won’t apply. Renters insurance is recommended.
Yes, typically 10% of your personal property limit. If you have $100,000 of coverage at home, only $10,000 would apply to your child’s belongings at college.
It may, but only if the student qualifies as an insured under the policy, typically by living on campus, being under 24, and enrolled full time. Always check with your provider to confirm.
MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using a profile that reflects the average homeowner. We compared different locations and companies to provide reliable estimates and show why comparing rates matters.
Homeowner Profile Our analysis used a sample homeowner with these characteristics:
Homeowners Insurance Coverage Details We used these coverage limits to collect quotes:
We also analyzed policies with higher coverage limits for expensive homes: $1 million dwelling coverage, $500,000 personal property coverage and $1 million liability coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
