August 20, 2009 – While easy-to-carry laptops, wallet-sized mp3 players and paper-thin cell phones top a student’s back-to-school list, so should an insurance policy that covers these belongings, reminds BCAA Insurance.
A recent poll from the National Retail Federation indicates that electronic purchases for back-to-school have increased 11 per cent over the past year. With this trend in mind, it is important for parents to review their insurance policies to ensure their student’s belongings are sufficiently covered for loss, damage or theft while they’re living away from home.
Fortunately, most home insurance polices do extend some coverage to students living away from home. Some policy limits may fall short however when accounting for the growth of expensive electronics acquired by the tech-savvy students of today.
BCAA advises parents to take an inventory to find out just how much ‘stuff’ your student has. Then talk to your insurance advisor to find out what’s covered – and what isn’t – under your existing policy. If the value of the belongings exceeds the limits, you should consider buying additional coverage.
“The electronics students and parents are buying are expensive, highly portable and vulnerable to theft,” says BCAA Insurance Manager, Brooke Hanson, who notes how today’s post-secondary student is spending more money on the latest electronic gadgets than any other age group.
“Given the significant investment parents and students make in these items, protecting them is more important than ever,” cautions Hanson. “It could be a real blow to a student on a limited budget or to the bank account of parents paying tuition bills to lose these items or have them stolen.”
Students who are no longer dependent on mom and dad are advised to look into an individual home insurance policy to protect their belongings. Insurance isn’t always top-of-mind for students moving out on their own – but it could be a costly mistake to invest in expensive electronics and forget about a policy to protect them.
“With all the variables involved, the safest bet is to consult with your insurance advisor about which approach is best for you,” concludes Hanson. “Given today’s students’ advanced technological needs, attending university or college today is an expensive proposition. A few minutes spent reviewing insurance issues may help save money later on.”
About BCAA Insurance
BCAA Insurance is one of the largest providers of home, auto, travel medical and life insurance in B.C. BCAA insures over 115,000 homes and 195,000 vehicles in the province. Each year, BCAA sells more travel insurance than any other provider in B.C. To learn more about the products and services offered by BCAA Insurance, visit www.bcaa.com.
Tags: British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA)
