Where is my personal property covered?
GradGuard College Renters Insurance covers your personal property anywhere in the world.
Are my belongings covered in a motor vehicle?
Yes! However, leaving your property unattended in a vehicle makes it susceptible to theft and for that reason, personal belongings are only covered up to a $1,000 limit while in or upon a motor vehicle. When possible, we recommend never leaving your personal property unattended in a vehicle.
How do I know how much coverage I need? What's considered personal property?
Personal property items are those that you personally own, rent, or are in your care such as clothes, electronics, school supplies and more. Please click here to access our coverage calculator to determine how much coverage may be right for you.
Do I have to be a student to get this policy?
No. Anyone is welcome to purchase GradGuard College Renters Insurance. We have specific endorsements tailored to college students such as low deductibles and worldwide personal property coverage.
What should my coverage start date be?
The start date of your policy should reflect the first day that you plan on moving to your on-campus or off-campus address. Keep in mind that the policy must be purchased at least one day in advance, but cannot be purchased more than 90 days before the start date of the policy.
Is this coverage required by my apartment complex/landlord?
Renters insurance coverage is not always required for tenants; however, it is becoming much more commonplace. Often when renters insurance is required there will be a minimum limit of liability coverage you must satisfy. Furthermore, your apartment complex or landlord may ask to be listed on the policy as an Additional Interest. Please check with your apartment complex or landlord directly to see what, if any, coverage is required.
Isn't my school or landlord responsible if my items are damaged or stolen?
Unfortunately, they will not be in the majority of cases. Be sure to read the section of your housing or lease agreement that references personal property.
Is personal property covered when it's in storage?
If you purchase a GradGuard College Renters Insurance policy, your personal items are covered when in storage. However, any unintentional damage to the structure of the storage unit will not be covered. Please refer to the policy for specific details, limits, and exclusions.
Doesn't homeowner's insurance cover a student away at college?
Not necessarily. While many insurance plans can cover the student of the policyholder, additional coverage is sometimes necessary. Families should look over their personal homeowner's insurance policy to determine whether their student might need something more.
GradGuard College Renters Insurance has a special endorsement that provides protection tailored to a student's needs. These items include a deductible as low as $100, worldwide personal property coverage, and more!
What's a deductible?
A deductible is the amount of money withheld from your claim reimbursement after a loss. For example, your two-year old laptop is stolen and the actual cash value of that laptop is $500 and the new version of your laptop costs $800. GradGuard’s program will reimburse for the new version of your laptop, less the deductible: $800 (laptop) - $100 (deductible) = $700 claim payment.
Deductibles keep the cost of insurance lower and are put in place to mitigate the financial exposure of the insurer in the event there are multiple claims on a given policy. Most renters insurance policies have a minimum deductible of either $250 or $500. The GradGuard College Renters Insurance policy has a deductible as low as $100, which provides a significant savings to our policyholders in the event of a claim.
What does the liability portion of my policy cover?
Liability coverage helps to protect you when you are held legally liable for property damage or physical injury. Although, your landlord may have coverage for their own property and liability exposures, it does not extend to you as a tenant. You can be held legally liable for something as simple as a person's injuries from slipping and falling in your apartment or accidentally damaging your residence while cooking. If you unintentionally set off your building's sprinkler system, liability protection can help pay for the resulting damages. The liability portion of your GradGuard College Renters Insurance provides coverage for occurrences like these up to the purchased policy limit.
I don't own the place I live in. That means I don't need insurance, right?
Renters insurance is important for anyone renting a property or living in a dorm because it can help protect personal belongings and liability risks. You don't need to own your residence to be at risk; most landlords' and schools' policies do not protect you from certain liabilities or your personal property.
Can I purchase coverage after school starts?
GradGuard College Renters Insurance is available for purchase at any point during the school year. If you missed your school's suggested start date, please click here to enroll.
Who underwrites GradGuard College Renters Insurance?
GradGuard College Renters Insurance is underwritten by Markel American Insurance Company, Waukesha, WI. (MKL NYSE), a member of the 2.3 billion dollar Markel Corporation. Rated "A+" (Excellent) by A.M. Best, Markel has been in business for over 80 years.
N14 W23800 Stone Ridge Drive,
Waukesha, WI 53188.
*If you live in AK, CT, or RI, your policy may be underwritten by Assurant Specialty.
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Coverage Averages at $11/Month
No Credit Score Required
Replacement Cost
Worldwide Coverage
Electronics Coverage
Personal Liability Coverage
Alternative to Homeowners Coverage
