I am looking for help to better understand data that I continue to read that suggests that colleges and universities frequently under report campus crime. It feels like the schools don’t want to bring attention to the real crime data or offer a way to protect your student from theft etc. I don’t want to be paranoid - but I don’t want to be foolish either.
Here are two articles that inform my view - but I don’t have anyone to discuss them with. Please let me know what you think?
This story in the Ohio newspaper is most concerning - but so are other media reports. I am just so paranoid about what is really happening on campus that I would like to know what others find.
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/10/02/crime-stats-improve.html
At the same time, I can’t believe the value of what my son carries with him in his backpack. It is close to $2,000 of computers and books, and if it get’s stolen I am worried that it will be difficult to replace. I purchased renters insurance but I wonder why I didn’t hear about it from my school. Now I just read that 43 insurance commissioners recommend renters insurance for college students. That is a huge number so why are colleges who require my student to live on campus not also recommending renters insurance?
http://collegeparents.org/2016/10/12/state-insurance-commissioners-recommend-renters-insurance-for-college-students/
Most homeowners policies cover your child’s personal belongings when they live on campus, but of course everyone needs to check their own policy to see if that’s true for them. As for off-campus housing, I thought it was common knowledge that renters insurance was a good idea.
My kid’s college has links to insurance vendors on their housing site. They don’t really “recommend” but the information is there. We opted to buy it. I believe our homeowner’s would cover a theft but the dorm insurance was cheap and the deductible is very low.
When my son lived in a student apartment complex (off campus) renter’s insurance was required.
Thanks for your feedback. It is useful. I just wish it was easier to understand the risk and enroll in coverage.
Campus crime is concerning, but I truly think campuses are no more dangerous than any where else, and probably safer. You have done your research, so hopefully you have also educated your child, who will be an adult at college, to all intents and purposes. You have to trust your kid more than worry about what might happen. My kid started college 7 weeks ago, and literally every day I have to tell myself that she is safe. The alternative is insanity, and no one can live like that.
Great idea so far and welly written. I think this topic is much more helpful and up to date.