Tips for Protecting You and Your Belongings on Campus

September 01, 2016

Did you know that, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the most commonly reported on-campus crime is burglary?  Motor vehicle theft comes in at third place.  As you’re heading to college, you should consider taking these steps to protect yourself and your belongings from crimes on-campus:

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  • Leave your high-value belongings at home.
  • Document the belongings you do bring to college.  Take pictures.
  • Purchase a safe for your room.
  • Lock your room every time you leave.
  • Lock up your bike and your vehicle every time you leave them unattended.

Theft isn’t the only risk to your belongings on-campus; personal property can be damaged by fire as well.  Follow these on-campus fire prevention tips from The Center for Campus Fire Safety:

  • Check for working smoke detectors in your room.
  • Know your campus policy on candles, decorations, and use of kitchen appliances.
  • Plan an escape route and keep the path clear.
  • Clean the lint trap on your dryer after each use.

In addition to taking these precautions, be sure to check if you are sufficiently covered for unplanned losses on-campus.  In many scenarios, a college student is covered by a parent’s homeowners’ policy for personal property, personal liability, and medical payments.  If not, you may need to invest in a renter’s insurance policy.  For automobile coverage, the student could be covered by a parent’s personal auto policy.

Reach out to your independent agent to discuss on-campus coverage.  Be sure to bring up coverage amounts too, because you don’t want to find out your belongings exceed the limit after a claim is reported.


Resources

http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/ind_22.asp

http://www.campusfiresafety.org/Portals/0/Documents/CFS%20For%20Students/Checklist-Poster.pdf

 

This blog entry is created for informational purposes only.  Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company.  The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.