Does anyone have experience with student insurance? Our student lives about 1000 miles away and the deductible on our homeowners insurance is too high to make it practical to cover her stuff. Is it hard to make a claim? Any recommended companies? Thanks 
We used CSI, I think were the initials. We considered initiating a claim when kid damaged macbook, but did not when we realized computer could be repaired. The process to submit a claim seemed easy enough.
We used National Student Services, Inc. (NSSI) for our daughter’s insurance. I think it was $165 for $6000 of coverage with a $25 deductible. Haven’t had to make any claims yet. Seems like it would not be difficult as per the website.
D made a claim with NSSI. It was quick and easy. They included a link for a refurbished version of exactly what she had, and sent a check for that amount minus the $25 deductible within a week. It paid for itself that year.
Note: remember to keep receipts for all electronics, you’ll need them to make a claim.
We currently have a renter’s policy for our D since she’s living off-campus. IIRC when she was on-campus we just added her electronics (phone, laptop) to our homeowner’s policy which was really cheap to do.
The current renter’s policy is quite cheap and comprehensive. D dropped her iPhone and broke the screen recently, and got $90 for the claim which we used for a new phone.
My insurance company (USAA) recommends a separate renters policy for college students. Rates start at about $15/month and go up depending on what you want insured.
I am pleased with Arthur J. Gallagher College Student Renters Insurance. D had two claims her first year (broke her cell phone twice) and they were easy to work with as far as filing a claim and prompt reimbursement. Cost is about $75.00 for $3,000 coverage, $50 deductible, for a full 12 months (covers their stuff even when they are home for the summer).
A benefit I did not expect is that as a junior living off-campus, she needed liability coverage as well as renters/contents coverage. A $100,000 general liability coverage, as required by her landlord, cost $28 for 9 months and was purchased as an add-on to her renter’s policy–whereas our homeowners insurer wanted $213.
also used CSI.
Made a claim for a cell phone – who uses a electronic device in the middle of a sleet storm, besides my lovely D? – for water damage.
Next year, she left a anorak – good for keeping the rain off of cell phones – in lecture hall, but it was gone when she returned.
They paid both claims with no problem.
@bluebayou “Made a claim for a cell phone – who uses a electronic device in the middle of a sleet storm, besides my lovely D? – for water damage.”
My kid has friends who put their phones in Zip-Lock bags and take them into the shower.
^^there oughta be a law. hahahahahah
Had a claim with NSSI three years ago. MacBook fell off a lofted bed, cracked the screen, etc. Excellent customer service, easy process to ship it out for repair and returned promptly. $25 deductible, prepaid shipping label. Mac still working great!
Don’t over insure (many people do). Check the fine print on any credit card you used to buy stuff for your kid- some cards already have insurance/extended warranty protection so you’ve already got insurance on the pricey stuff.
Companies like LL Bean and Lands End stand by their products so if a backpack strap breaks or the zipper on a parka comes apart you’ve already got recourse there.
We found Costco extremely easy to work with for anything that broke or fell apart which was purchased there. (including prescription eyeglasses).
Just make sure you aren’t buying a special policy for two or three items which are already covered elsewhere… or are so easy to replace without insurance.
I have CSI for my D, wish I’d had it for her the first year when she shattered her iphone screen, twice. At $150 a pop that would have more than paid for 4 years of it.
Nice thing about this plan (maybe all?) is that it covers the semester abroad as well - from breakage, theft, everything. Seemed well worth the low price ($83 year/$25 deductible). It includes identity theft coverage too.
We have had CSI for both d’s. D1 never submitted a claim. D2 cracked her iphone screen - repair was made at Apple store and reimbursed minus $25 deductible. Then weeks later she dropped her ipad. Apple wouldn’t repair it. She submitted paperwork from Apple. CSI approved a purchase a new ipad. ( minus the deductible)
Insurance has a negative expected value. Don’t over-insure.
Does a student really need insurance? If they are renting a renters policy with good liability coverage is important. If they are in a dorm or student housing what is likely to be damaged? Can you afford to easily replace it? Insurance does not cover breakdowns. For a typical student, and if you already have homeowners insurance, what you are buying is a theft and accidental damage policy for a laptop and cell phone. Even that might not be worth doing. Phones don’t break often with a good case and screen protector, and the cost a maximum of $250 to repair (Which might not be worth fixing after year 1).
We use CSI/Gallagher, too. https://www.collegestudentinsurance.com Filed a claim when D’s bike was stolen. Very easy process and the check came promptly.
For my kid basically the phone, laptop (liquid for those, drops, theft, etc) and identity theft (and throw in textbooks because some of those are nearly as much as the laptop!). Some kids probably have TVs, musical instruments, jewelry, game systems, sports equipment. bicycles, etc.
Some people pay $5/month or more for phone insurance from their carrier. Not me, but some. This is about the same price, for everything, with a much lower deductible. YMMV.
Do any of these policies cover stolen medication?
I don’t know why they wouldn’t but it’s easy enough to ask the companies directly.