<p>Missed seeing posts from all these great 'rents, so thought I'd re-start the thread to ask my new question.</p>
<p>Just got a housing booklet from USC with move-in info and also brochures for various insurance to cover kids' personal possesions while at USC. It seems this coverage included pcs, cell phones, tvs, books, and (up to certain limits) bikes. Any experienced with this insurance? Which did you select and any stories (good or bad) about how claims have been settled.</p>
<p>For my D's freshman year we purchased insurance through CSI. Just weeks after buying the policy, her digital camera was damaged. She made a claim and received replacement value, less a $25 deductible. I was astonished at how smoothly the process worked. Needless to say, we just renewed her policy for next year. Some of the things I especially like about the policy are the low deductible, that it covers damage as well as loss, and that it covers her belongings in the summer while they are stored in LA.</p>
<p>Thanks, Puzzled. Did she have to show a receipt to prove the cost of her camera? And did she have to send the damaged camera in to prove loss?</p>
<p>I must admit, this sounds good. My s (like most, I imagine) is bringing a new laptop and I'm concerned about damage as well as theft since he's getting a very special (in other words, $$$) one, and who knows what might happen.</p>
<p>mdcissp--the rates are tiered to how much coverage you select and the deductible amount. But to give you a general idea, for coverage on $6000 of property, with $25 deductible, the rates ranged (depending on company) around $135-150ish/year. I don't have the brochure in my office so I may not remember exactly.</p>
<p>She had ordered her camera from Amazon so was able to find the receipt online - yes, she needed it. She didn't have to mail in the camera - ironically, she just needed to take a picture of the damage, which she did with her roommate's camera, and send it in online. One thing that made me very happy is that she handled the whole process herself, and trust me, she's not normally the type to do that kind of thing. She was very motivated because she loves taking photos. </p>
<p>CIS has some special deal now where if you install computer tracking security software (which they provide) and your computer is stolen, your deductible is waived.</p>
<p>We have a policy for $8000 with a $25 deductible and the cost this year is $185, including the $5 processing fee. If I recall correctly, that is an increase of perhaps $5 over last year. I don't mean to sound like a salesperson here but for us, the policy more than paid for itself last year.</p>
<p>I am surprised that they covered a damage camera. From the CSI web site:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Perils Excluded
This policy does not insure against:
a. Loss or damage which is due and confined to wear
and tear, inherent vice, latent defect, gradual
deterioration, insects, vermin, freezing, dampness
of atmosphere, extremes of temperature, marring,
scratching, mechanical or electrical breakdown or
failure, unless such damage is the result of other
Loss covered by this policy.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Emphasis is mine, the text in red would seem to exclude mechanical and electrical damage, e.g., if the keyboard on a cell phone stops working (D seems to go through cell phone keyboards like I go through doughnuts, not entirely unexpected given her texting habit of 2000+/month). From reading the policy it is not immediately clear if her laptop is covered if she decides to share a grande mocha frappuccino with the keyboard.</p>
<p>I really like the part about vermin. Makes me think of dirty dorm rooms.</p>
<p>The LCD screen of her camera was broken. Apparently they did not consider that breakdown or failure. We had expected that they would pay for the repair but they chose replacement. We were entirely honest with them about what happened and they covered it. Again, just one person's experience and no guarantee that it would cover frappuccino in the keyboard. That might fall under dampness!</p>
<p>If you like the vermin part, you will love what is immediately below it</p>
<p>
[quote]
Loss or damage caused by or resulting from
infidelity or dishonesty or both, of the Insured or
any person or persons related to the insured, or any
person or persons to whom the property may be
entrusted (carriers for hire excepted).
[/quote]
Not quite sure how to read that one. My best interpretation is that if a student discovers a BF/GF cheating on them and starts throwing personal belongings at him/her which get damaged in the process, the loss is not covered. Another exclusion would seem to be if you store those fluffy slippers at a BF/GFs apartment and then he/she kicks you out and refuses to return the property. If it is explicitly written as an exclusion then it must happen often :D</p>
<p>I suppose the same person who experiences mechanical failures (like broken keyboards) so often MIGHT be the same person who would be likely to accidentally spill a cup of coffee on sensitive electrical components, no? I am not advocating dishonesty, but rather pointing out that the insurance companies are not going to be able to determine exactly how something got broken or damaged most of the time.</p>
<p>lol, Groovy. There goes the clever plot where student lends expensive items to friends who sadly reply--"oops, I lost it", so student can apply for replacements. And soon, an entire suite filled with brand new identital laptops. Not that any kids would do that. But I like your version of infidelity much better.</p>
<p>I was wondering if a kid accidentally drops his laptop and then (duh) it won't work, will that be covered? No vermin involved.</p>
<p>Incidentally, Groovy, one of my Ds spilled a Latte (or was it a milkshake?) into the gearshift of our "kids' car" years ago and it still gives them trouble occasionally when it won't quite go into Park and the key won't come out. Serves them right.</p>
<p>** EARTHQUAKE **
Please tell me I am not the only parent who is feeling a little trepidation after hearing about today's earthquake. I specially dislike the talk about smaller temblors should precede "the big one".!!</p>
<p>Well, you are welcome to join my delusion, Tuitionsaver. I certainly felt the earthquake today and my immediate reaction when it was over and I figured it to be about a 4.9 to 5.5 (a guessing game we play here, btw), was thank goodness. It had been a while since our last quake. And these smaller ones relieve the pressure building up, so that means no bigger quake.</p>
<p>P.S. If this is mumbo jumbo non-science, I don't think I would like that pointed out to me. :)</p>
<p>Tuitionsaver - It definitely gave me some trepidation! I remember being a non-Californian going to school in Northern California and being the only one in my suite who woke up for every earthquake. The natives just slept right through them. Now I live in another earthquake-prone zone, so it makes it less of a worry. At least there won't be tornados or hurricanes at SC.</p>
<p>I'll buy some of that too, madbean. (No pointing here.)</p>
<p>(In Orange County) I went into a store right after the earthquake and the employees were all laughing about how the earthquake made them "dance." Luckily, that's all most earthquakes here do.</p>
<p>Last year we never experienced one so I really wouldn't worry about it. And remember, all buildings and structures built in southern CA are specifically designed to withstand the worst of earthquakes (i.e. take a look at our freeway overpasses and compare them to ones on the east coast).</p>
<p>I haven't received the Housing package yet. Is there some Welcome Guide in there that mentions something about Parents SCend off on Wed Aug 20? Any other info I need to know?</p>
<p>SCA parents: Is there another letter sent out recently regarding a reception (for students only?) on Aug 21 that features some screenings of students' work? Anything else important?</p>
<p>The only thing I've received recently is the Parents' Weekend brochure.</p>
<p>Madbean.... I happily join your delusion
Fauxmom: Funny how people get used to anything (like sleeping thru an earthquake!). Personally, I prefer to deal with hurricanes than earthquakes. Hurricanes are announced several days before they happen , so you can do something about it. Earthquakes just happen with no warning!!
bmom: just FYI: when Katrina happened there were a lot of tuition-paying parents who wished they would have bought the tuition refund insurance.</p>