<p>Son just left today for the big blue sea. Excited, but nervous.</p>
<p>There is always something to be nervous about when you have a kid at KP. He is in good hands and when he returns he will have experiences that none of his peers from high school will be able to touch. He will have matured somewhat as well. I’ve said this before but it bears repeating. In most places the college intern isn’t allowed to touch the copying machine without adult supervision. Our kids sail all over the world and take on responsibilities their friends won’t see for years.</p>
<p>Make sure to tell them to keep an eye on thieir laptop or netbook. My B-split already left his in the cab … yes it’s gone. The money lost isn’t as bad as the no communication during sea year. Maybe he will get his sea project done??</p>
<p>Also, keep it secured during heavy seas. Steel deck + laptop = 
:(</p>
<p>That is awful about the computer. I know I have driven my son crazy about that but I am still the mom.</p>
<p>Yikes Chief - my son did much of his sea project on his laptop and just about had a heart attack when it went down while he was out there. Thankfully it came back up. That might put him at a great disadvantage. Perhaps he should arrange for another?</p>
<p>btw - my son did ZERO communicating on his laptop - only the ship’s computer (and that was rare!!!) or telephone (even more rare). Again, not sure that is the standard, but the laptop, for him, was more important for the sea project- much writing.</p>
<p>If he is an engineer it is essential. Fortunately, there is a procedure for getting a “loaner.”
I’m not quite sure how it works but DS was able to secure a replacement while he was still in Asia until his was repaired. In the meantime he will have to rely heavily on his sea partner.</p>
<p>Well we did buy a NETBOOK to take off the ship to run SKYPE so the school computer would be safe on the ship. So no loose of Sea Project. I remeber telling him every morning “Did you get your Lunch?” I guess 12 years of Dad’s reminders didn’t work. Maybe this will. He now owes ME a netbook. :)</p>
<p>Did you by any chance purchase the USAA Renter insurance for the Midshipmen? If not, think about it. It costs $35 per year and covers everything from laptop to class ring.</p>
<p>Did that!! I am all about covering bases.</p>
<p>I called USAA about their “Cadet renters policy”. The cost was $35.00 but since we have our Mid under our auto policy with a $500,000 liability limit, the cost jumped to $125.00! I can’t figure out why, any property & Casualty experts out there?</p>
<p>NMLCFP do you have USAA? If so you don’t need to have your mid on your policy. Tell them that he’s at a Federal Service Academy as they have a special deal for that. You won’t have to pay for his insurance but he’s covered when he drives. Also, if he decides to take his car to KP he can get his own policy. My son has his car up there and the cost for the mini cooper for 6 months is around $200 for auto. But, the key is to make sure they know that he’s a midshipman. This makes a huge difference in the premium.</p>
<p>Thanks for the insurance info Suzanne. Just got done taking out a policy for my son.</p>
<p>What is USAA?</p>
<p>
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<p>Thanks Suzanne,
We have USAA auto. homeowners and liabilty insurance.For some reason they told us it was cheaper to have the car under our name than his name. When he went off to KP last year he became a non-operator and our premiums went way down and he still allowed to drive the car when he is home. He is only a 3rd classman and leaves for sea in 2 weeks, so he won’t be able to drive the car for a while anyway. I will call USAA again and see if we should open up his new policy.</p>
<p>nmlcfp:</p>
<p>I don’t think Suzanne is suggesting opening a policy for him. USAA will allow your midshipman to not be named on any of the auto insurance policies; however, he will still be covered when he returns on vacations if he is driving one of the USAA covered cars. (I think they actually do this for any college student who is living away from home without a car).</p>
<p>OK thanks all. I will check back with USAA about their Cadet policy. Just didn’t want him to lose his PC in some foreign port.</p>
<p>You are correct 2001 
though check about the “renters” insurance. He will have to call and arrange for the policy, but it is worth the money. When the boat house burned several years ago, I wondered if the mids that had stuff stored there had insurance.</p>