Back-to-school season is here, and for many families, the return to school also means changes that can affect their insurance coverage. From adding a teen driver to your auto policy to sending a college student away from home, a new school year is a good time to review your coverage and make sure your family is properly protected. And whether or not you’re a parent, this time of year requires that all drivers take extra care while on the road.

 

Safety reminders for all drivers

 

The back-to-school season brings increased traffic, as well as kids walking, biking, or scootering to school. Tickets issued for violations related to school zones and buses are expensive, and will certainly affect your auto insurance rates. And it goes without saying that no one wants to injure a child.

 

Be especially alert near school zones, school bus stops, and intersections with crossing guards. Be aware that kids don’t always stay in crosswalks. Obey school zone speed limits and instructions from crossing guards, and stop for school buses. You may need to allow extra time to get to your destination so you’re not tempted to drive faster than is safe. Let’s all work together to keep kids safe on the roads!

 

If you do have kids, especially kids in high school or college, read on for information regarding how going back to school may affect your insurance coverage.

 

Parents of high school students

 

Will you have a new driver this year? Inexperienced drivers, such as high schoolers driving for the first time, may be prone to distraction. Stress to your young driver the importance of minimizing distractions while they’re behind the wheel. (And don’t forget to model the behavior you want!)

 

Be sure to notify your insurance agent when your teen begins driving. Your insurer can explain how adding a new driver may affect your coverage and premium and whether any discounts may apply.

 

New Driver? Ask About Available Discounts

Worried about your car insurance rates going up because you add an inexperienced driver to your policy? Adding a teen driver can significantly affect your auto insurance premium. Before the school year gets too busy give Pacific Crest Lakewood a call for a rate comparison. As independent agents, we have access to companies with more affordable rates. And remember, if your child has good grades and/or has taken a safe driving course, you may be eligible for discounts.

 

Parents of college students

 

There are many insurance considerations for college students. If you’re concerned about covering your college student’s personal belongings while they’re away at school, there are a couple of ways to handle that.

 

Living on campus vs. living off campus can make a difference. Depending on the policy, a parent’s homeowners insurance may offer some coverage for their personal belongings (usually around 10% of your policy’s contents coverage) while living in a dorm. However, if your child lives in a rented apartment, your homeowners insurance will probably not cover his or her belongings, and you may want to consider renters insurance. Even if your homeowners insurance would cover your child’s things, you may still want to consider a renters policy in order to avoid having to make a claim on your homeowners insurance and risking a rate increase. Because coverage limits and eligibility vary, it’s important to check with your insurance agent before your student moves.

 

Don’t forget about electronics. College students may take thousands of dollars’ worth of laptops, tablets, smartphones, headphones and other personal property with them. Make an inventory of the items your student is taking to school, including photos, serial numbers and receipts when available. Then talk with your insurance agent about how those belongings are covered. Keep receipts and take photos—this will be helpful if there’s a claim.

 

What about car insurance?

Is Your College Student Taking a Car?

If your student is taking a vehicle to college, let your insurance agent know where the vehicle will be primarily kept. The location where a vehicle is garaged can affect your insurance premium and coverage requirements. If your student is attending school in another state, there may also be different insurance requirements to consider.

 

Away at School Car Insurance Discounts

If your child won’t be taking a car to school and will be living away from home, can you take him or her off your policy? It’s not a good idea to do that, since they’re likely to drive a family car during breaks and over the summer. However, if they live 100 miles or more away, you may be able to get a discount on your policy—ask your insurance agent.

 

Back-to-School Insurance Checklist

• Adding a new teen driver? Notify your insurance agent.
• Ask about good-student and driver-training discounts.
• College student living in a dorm? Review how their belongings are covered.
• College student living off campus? Ask about renters insurance.
• Taking expensive electronics to school? Create a home inventory.
• Taking a car to college? Tell your agent where it will be kept.
• Leaving the car at home? Ask about an away-at-school discount.
• Attending college in another state? Ask whether any insurance requirements change.
• Review your coverage before the student leaves.

Pacific Crest Lakewood is here for you

 

Whether you have questions about your existing coverage or you need a quote for a new policy, please consider locally owned and independent Pacific Crest Lakewood for all your insurance needs. The agents at Pacific Crest Lakewood are happy to review your situation and help you to find the right policies for you. Give us a call today at (813) 672-4100, or click here to contact us online.