Updated: November 5, 2025
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Homeowners insurance may cover college students living in on-campus housing, depending on age, full-time status and residence.
Off-campus students usually aren’t covered and should consider renters insurance to protect their belongings and liability.
Students' coverage is often limited to 10% of personal property coverage, so high-value items may require additional insurance.
If your college student lives in a dorm, your homeowners insurance policy may offer limited protection through personal property and liability coverage. These protections only apply under specific conditions. Additionally, age, enrollment status and housing type vary by carrier; consulting the best homeowners insurance options can confirm eligibility and sub-limits.
Your home insurance policy covers college students through:
Personal property coverage helps cover your student’s belongings, like clothing, text books, purchased furniture and electronics, if they’re damaged or stolen due to a covered event. For college students in dorms, this coverage extends beyond the main residence but with reduced limits.
Personal liability coverage offers financial protection if your student accidentally causes injury or property damage to someone else. It only applies if your student still qualifies as an insured under your homeowners policy.
When belongings are located outside the primary home, such as in a dorm room, they fall under what's known as off-premises coverage. Most policies only cover up to 10% of your total personal property limit for items stored away from home. If that reduced amount isn’t enough for your student’s needs, some insurers offer optional upgrades to increase coverage.
Most homeowners insurance policies have sub-limits on valuables like jewelry, electronics and collectibles, often capping theft coverage at $1,500 or less. If your student is bringing a laptop, tablet or other expensive gear to college, consider asking your insurer about scheduled personal property coverage, which lets you increase protection for specific items.
Your homeowners insurance doesn’t automatically cover every college scenario. Most insurers require that the student be a certain age (usually under 24), enrolled full-time and living in on-campus housing to qualify for extended protections. If any of those conditions aren’t met, your policy likely won’t apply.
Coverage depends on your insurer, but here are common situations where protection usually applies:
If your student’s dorm belongings are damaged by a covered peril, like fire, smoke, windstorms or a burst pipe, your homeowners insurance may help cover the loss through personal property protection. Since the items are stored outside your main home, they fall under off-premises coverage and are capped at 10% of your policy’s personal property limit.
Stolen items, like laptops, phones and backpacks, are usually covered under personal property protection if they are stolen in a dorm. A police report and proof of ownership may be required. Deductibles and policy limits still apply.
If a guest is injured in your student’s dorm room, liability coverage may help cover medical costs or legal expenses. This only applies if your student qualifies as an insured dependent. Coverage doesn’t usually extend to roommates or shared spaces.
Always check your specific policy, as eligibility and limits vary by provider.
Your homeowners policy likely won’t cover your college student if:
If your student lives in an off-campus apartment or rental home, your homeowners policy usually won’t apply. These living arrangements often fall outside the coverage boundaries.
Most policies only extend coverage to students who are enrolled full-time. If your child is attending part-time, they may not qualify as an insured dependent under your policy.
Homeowners insurance often limits coverage to students under a certain age, usually 24. Older students may no longer meet eligibility criteria.
Some policies strictly limit coverage to your primary residence. If the insurer excludes protection for dependents living away from home, your student may not be covered at all.
Yes, especially if they live off-campus. Renters insurance is often inexpensive and provides essential protections, including personal property coverage, liability insurance and loss-of-use benefits if the unit becomes uninhabitable. It helps fill the gap when a homeowners policy no longer applies, ensuring students are financially protected while living independently.
Choosing between home and renters insurance for your college student depends on where they live. Here's a clear side-by-side look at how homeowners insurance and renters insurance compare for college students:
Who’s Covered | Full-time students under a certain age (specified by your policy) | Any student renting an off-campus apartment, house, or dorm-style unit |
Coverage Limits | Capped at 10% of your personal property coverage limit, but varies by provider | Limits depending on value of personal property (from $10,000 upwards) |
Personal Property | Covers belongings in dorms, but with reduced limits | Covers all personal belongings inside the rental unit, often with replacement cost options |
Liability Protection | May cover your student if they cause accidental injury or damage in a dorm | Covers your student for liability in their apartment or rental unit |
Loss of Use (Additional Living Expenses) | Sometimes applies if dorm is uninhabitable, but not always guaranteed | Usually included; helps pay for temporary housing if the rental becomes unlivable |
Best For | Students who meet age/enrollment requirements and live in on-campus housing | Students living off-campus who need broader, independent protection |
If your student’s belongings are damaged or stolen at college and the situation is covered under your homeowners policy, you can file a claim to recover the loss. Filing a successful claim depends on meeting policy requirements and providing proper documentation. Here are the steps:
Make sure your student still qualifies for coverage under your homeowners policy. Most insurers require full-time enrollment, on-campus housing and that your child is under a certain age, usually 24. Your claim may be denied if any of those factors don’t apply.
Have your student take photos or videos of the damaged area or missing items. If something was stolen, file a police report as soon as possible and request a copy for your records. The more documentation you have, the smoother the claims process will be.
Call your insurer or log in to your account online to start the claim. Provide details like what was lost, how it happened and when it occurred. You may also need to submit receipts, serial numbers or purchase dates if available.
Before you receive any reimbursement, you’ll need to pay your policy’s deductible, often between $500 and $2,000. If the total loss is less than this amount, the insurer won’t issue a payout. For smaller claims, it may make more sense to cover the cost out of pocket.
Once submitted, you can usually track your claim online or through your insurance agent. Respond quickly to any requests for additional info to avoid delays. After approval, reimbursement may take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on your provider.
While homeowners insurance helps replace stolen or damaged items, preventing losses is better. Students should consider leaving their valuables at home and take safety precautions like locking their dorm room doors. If high-value electronics are a concern, you can still get cheap homeowners insurance and schedule select items as needed.
Electronics like laptops and tablets are necessary for college, but valuable jewelry and luxury watches are better left at home.
Don't leave personal belongings unattended in a classroom, library or dining hall.
Always lock the door and make sure roommates do the same.
Understand how microwave ovens and hot plates work and take safety precautions to prevent fires when cooking.
If your child is in college, choosing the right homeowners insurance or adding renters insurance can save you money and stress. Providers like State Farm, Hippo, Lemonade and Toggle offer affordable policies that extend limited coverage to college students in dorms.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best fit for your family. The average homeowners insurance policy costs around $175 per month, but your rate depends on your location, coverage level and property value.
Use MoneyGeek's personal property calculator to estimate your coverage needs and protect both your home and your student's belongings.
When figuring out how much renters insurance you need, experts recommend the standard $100,000 in liability insurance and enough personal property protection to cover your possessions. Use MoneyGeek's calculator to estimate the value of your possessions so you know how much personal property coverage to buy.
Clothes, shoes, bags, belts, hats, gloves, etc.
Homeowners insurance can offer partial protection for college students living in dorms, but coverage is often limited in scope and value. If your student lives off-campus, owns high-value electronics or doesn’t meet eligibility criteria, renters insurance can offer more reliable protection.
To ensure the best coverage for your needs, compare homeowners and renters insurance quotes from multiple providers.
Have questions about what’s covered when your child heads to college? Our FAQ explains how homeowners insurance applies and when renters insurance might be the better choice.
Yes, if they meet age and full-time enrollment requirements and live on campus.
Yes, about 10% of your personal property limit. If you have $100,000 of coverage at home, only $10,000 would apply to your child’s belongings at college.
It may, but only if the student qualifies as an insured under the policy. For example, they must live on campus, be under 24 and be enrolled full time. Always check with your provider to confirm.
No, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover vehicles. Your student will need auto insurance for their car.
Some policies extend limited coverage overseas, but protections vary, so it’s best to confirm with your insurer.
Usually not, since most policies only cover full-time students under age 24.
Most homeowners policies exclude off-campus housing. Instead, you can purchase renters insurance for your student to ensure they're protected financially.
MoneyGeek analyzed quotes from multiple insurance providers across the U.S. using a profile that reflects the average homeowner. We compared different locations and companies to provide reliable estimates and show why comparing rates matters.
Homeowner Profile
Our analysis used a sample homeowner with these characteristics:
Homeowners Insurance Coverage Details
We used these coverage limits to collect quotes:
We also analyzed policies with higher coverage limits for expensive homes: $1 million dwelling coverage, $500,000 personal property coverage and $1 million liability coverage.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
