How to Protect Your Child’s Belongings When They Leave for College


Carlos Vargas |Dec 07 2025 10:00

Your child is getting ready to head off to college, and while you’re probably focused on packing, financial aid, and class schedules, there’s one more thing to think about— how to keep their stuff safe. Laptops, bikes, phones, gaming systems, and even clothes are common targets for theft on and off campus. It’s a situation most parents don’t consider until it’s too late. Let’s fix that.

Why College Students Are at Higher Risk for Theft and Loss

College campuses are a hotspot for lost or stolen items. Dorm rooms often stay unlocked, students leave phones unattended in libraries or lounges, and bikes are left poorly secured. This makes it easy for theft or damage to happen—especially when your child is in a new environment.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics , over 10,000 burglaries are reported on U.S. college campuses each year. [Source](https://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/ind_11.asp)

Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover My College Student?

Yes—but with some limits. If your student is living in a dorm, your homeowners insurance may cover their belongings through what’s called “off-premises” personal property coverage. However, this usually has lower coverage limits—often just 10% of your total policy—and higher deductibles.

Example:

If your homeowners policy covers $100,000 in personal property, only $10,000 might extend to your student’s dorm room.

✅ Tip: Call your insurance broker and ask: “What’s the off-premises coverage limit, and should I consider a rider?”

Should I Get Renters Insurance for My College Student?

If your child is living off-campus in an apartment or shared house, your homeowners insurance usually won’t cover their belongings. This is when renters insurance becomes a smart and affordable choice.

Benefits of renters insurance:

  • Covers theft, fire, and certain types of water damage
  • Often includes liability coverage
  • Average cost is around $14/month
NerdWallet reports renters insurance is one of the cheapest and most overlooked ways to protect personal property. [Source](https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/insurance/renters)

Top Ways to Protect Belongings Without Insurance

Even with insurance, a few extra steps can go a long way. Encourage your college student to:

🔐 Lock it up

  • Use laptop locks
  • Always lock dorm or apartment doors
  • Secure bikes with high-quality locks

🧠 Be discreet

  • Avoid showing off expensive electronics
  • Keep serial numbers stored in a safe place

📸 Document everything

  • Take photos of important items
  • Keep digital or paper copies of receipts

📱 Use smart technology

  • Enable tracking (like Find My iPhone)
  • Use antivirus or device-lock software

Do I Need a Special Policy for High-Value Items?

Yes—sometimes. If your student is bringing a camera, musical instrument, expensive laptop, or jewelry, it may exceed coverage limits. Consider adding a scheduled personal property endorsement to your homeowners policy. This gives extra protection and often has no deductible.

What to Do If Something Gets Stolen

If something does go missing:

  1. File a police report immediately
  2. Notify campus security
  3. Take photos and gather proof of ownership
  4. Contact your insurance broker to start the claim process

💡 Don’t wait —many insurance companies require claims to be reported within a set number of days.

Conclusion: Set Your Child Up for a Safe, Smart Start

At the end of the day, we all want our kids to focus on learning and enjoying their college experience—not dealing with the hassle of stolen or damaged belongings. This is especially true if they’re living on their own for the first time.

Now that you know the steps to protect your child’s valuables—from understanding your current homeowners coverage to adding renters insurance or scheduling high-value items—it’s time to take action.

✔️ Call Vargas & Vargas Insurance at 617-298-0655 to review your coverage
✔️ Ask if a renters policy or a special rider makes sense for your family
✔️ Share these tips with your child to help them be proactive

Whether it’s a laptop or a bike, we’ll help you protect it—so you both can focus on what really matters.

Still not sure what coverage your student needs?

Check out this guide from the Insurance Information Institute , or give us a call at 617-298-0655 —we’ll make it simple.