Renters insurance...I need some info if possible

[Jersey mike]

So my daughter is starting her junior year at college.

This year living off campus in a rental house with 3 other girls.

I’ve been pushing for everyone to pitch in for rental insurance, have all the girls listed on the policy but I’m not getting any results from anyone.

I’ve did some research and it seems in N.J. renters insurance is not mandatory like it was for our 2 other kids when they were living off campus out of state.

My son now lives in Maryland and renters ins is mandatory...He pays $50(?) a year for $100k coverage.

So what I’m asking basically is, can a person reside with other roommates and still have their own renters policy?

If anyone has any feedback before I start calling insurance companies in a couple days (tomorrow is move in day and I will try to speak to the other girls and parents today) I’d like to get  some info if possible.

I have never had renters ins so I’m behind the curve on this one.

Thanks in advance for any help

[F6Dave]

So my daughter is starting her junior year at college.

This year living off campus in a rental house with 3 other girls.

I’ve been pushing for everyone to pitch in for rental insurance, have all the girls listed on the policy but I’m not getting any results from anyone.

I’ve did some research and it seems in N.J. renters insurance is not mandatory like it was for our 2 other kids when they were living off campus out of state.

My son now lives in Maryland and renters ins is mandatory...He pays $50(?) a year for $100k coverage.

So what I’m asking basically is, can a person reside with other roommates and still have their own renters policy?

If anyone has any feedback before I start calling insurance companies in a couple days (tomorrow is move in day and I will try to speak to the other girls and parents today) I’d like to get  some info if possible.

I have never had renters ins so I’m behind the curve on this one.

Thanks in advance for any help

I know that here in Colorado, my daughter carried renter's insurance when she had other roommates.  One time her name was on the lease, but another time it wasn't.  I'm sure any decent insurance agent could easily answer your questions.

[cookiedough]

told both my kids to get it in apt. or house living with 2 other roommates but both never got it, was cheap though and recommend doing it.  shop around am sure can get like you say for 50-80 bucks per person per year mostly for liability in case they are at fault burning the house/apt. down they will get sued for it and personal belongings who really cares do not have much but the liability go as high as possible say 300K to 500K or more limits depending on house or apt. living in.  I mean my kid now lives in a 3 bedroom apt. complex but what if 1 of them accidentally burns the entire 12 unit apt. complex down do not think even 500K will cover it?

One would think if all 3 living together that all 3 should have renters insurance since all 3 signed the lease/rental agreement if more than 1 renter/roommate.

I would highly consider talking to the other kids parents as well if you see them and see what they think is a good suggestion on where they all should get renters insurance from.  Last I knew my kid and ladies kid talking 3 years ago while got 1st apt. was going to get renters insurance since the one kid's mom knew a local nearby insurer reasonably priced but they never did it found out year or two later.  

[scooperhsd]

Yes, your daughter can have her own policy. Yes, I would recommend that you or her get it for her. Renter's will cover HER possesions, the landlord's insurance covers HIS interest in the property.

[Rams]

Obviously, it's a state by state issue so, I can't really suggest anything for your state.
I would think that if just one of the roommates had renter's insurance, it would be difficult (if not impossible) to get that insurance.   In that, normally such insurance would cover all the different contents within the structure.   In that it's very unlikely your daughter's belonging would not be open to the other inhabitants of the structure, the insurance company could have a hard time determining exactly what they were responsible for in case of a calamity (fire, flood, burglary, ect.).   I could be wrong but, you won't know till you ask.   I would think for only one person to have that insurance in a group home would at least require pictures and invoices of the insured person's items. 

Interesting questions, please keep us informed.

Rams

[fudgie]

Does a college girl actually have enough stuff to even ensure?

[Alien]

I deal with house fires (among other disasters) for a living.  Here in California, the answer is yes.  Any tenant can (and should) have a seperate policy.  The only time you'd want a group policy is if all of the tennants were related.  Roomates tend to come and go.  However, I'm not sure how it works in other states. Renters insurance is ridiculousle cheap.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Jess from VA]

Insurance is a State run thing, so you need to call with your questions.

Unless all the girls are anxious to throw in together (seems unlikely), I'd quickly look into it for your daughter alone.  And I'd have questions about the efficacy of "throwing in together" anyway.

I don't care how good they get along, I'd install a lock and deadbolt on her bedroom door and insist she use it (though if it's the usual hollow core door, it's just fluff).  I assume most of her insurable assets would be kept in that room (though there will be furniture and furnishings in common areas).  When other people share your house, Lord knows who they will let in there.

Also, just like any other insurance, you need a list of her higher value stuff and make sure it's all covered under whatever policy you get.  100K sounds good, but most policies are full of low limits on all kinds of things, unless you add riders to cover those things.

Have her do her part by writing down a list of higher value items, with receipts, and pictures.... plan for the worst.  

The other (unrelated) thing that comes up all the time is the lease issue of when one or two of the other girls flunks out or just quits and moves, do the flunkers/quiters remain liable for their share of the rent for the entire duration of the lease (and good luck collecting even if they do) or do those staying just have to make up the increase (or get evicted when they can't afford it).  My dad had to make up the difference for a whole school year (about double what it was supposed to be), she didn't have the money.

And I hate to mention this, but go ahead and contribute a big case of good quality condoms as your house warming present.     And maybe a can of bear pepper spray (if she's not a shooter).

[F6Dave]

I'll add that getting renter's insurance is an easy decision because it costs so little.  Both of my kids had it for rental houses, and each only paid about $10 per month.  It's a rare bargain in the usually expensive insurance market.

[Alien]

Condoms and bear spray, now that's a housewarming gift!   

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Jersey mike]

Condoms and bear spray, now that's a housewarming gift!   

Ride Safe,

Alien

Boy you guys really know how to make a dad feel good, 

It’s all good, no worries.

[cookiedough]

Does a college girl actually have enough stuff to even ensure?

several dozens of shoes alone and other clothes am sure over 1 grand... LOL  Maybe if they lost them all either stolen or fire they would learn how to make do with 2-3 pairs total?   

Worst thing that so far came from both my kids living off campus at UW college in apt. is some jerkoff bent the heck out of front rim of bicycle I recently replaced while it was locked up on a bike rack outside her apt.   Darn lucky I was not there to see it or the 1-3 jerkoffs who did it would be wearing bicycle spokes up their butt for life, if they did not run off quickly right away for long distance running more than 50 yards is not my speciality...   

[Jess from VA]

Condoms and bear spray, now that's a housewarming gift!  

Ride Safe,

Alien

Boy you guys really know how to make a dad feel good,  

It’s all good, no worries.

Mike, I apologize for any offense given.  I was obviously going for humor (on the condoms, not the bear spray), but I spent 3 years as a college RA (resident advisor) and more years sharing housing with miscreants (who had been friends).  I've seen it all, and had to deal with it.

I stand by the lock on the door, and maybe a better door.

Robert Frost wrote good fences make good neighbors.  Locked doors make good roommates.

Reread about Richard Speck in Chicago, and Ted Bundy at Florida State.  No locks on those doors.

If she's afraid of offending her roommates, she tells them it's not for them, it's for break-ins, visitors, or Richard Speck or Ted Bundy, and for her dad.  

[Jersey mike]

Condoms and bear spray, now that's a housewarming gift!  

Ride Safe,

Alien

Boy you guys really know how to make a dad feel good,  

It’s all good, no worries.

Mike, I apologize for any offense given.  I was obviously going for humor (on the condoms, not the bear spray), but I spent 3 years as a college RA (resident advisor) and more years sharing housing with miscreants (who had been friends).  I've seen it all, and had to deal with it.

I stand by the lock on the door, and maybe a better door.

Robert Frost wrote good fences make good neighbors.  Locked doors make good roommates.

Reread about Richard Speck in Chicago, and Ted Bundy at Florida State.  No locks on those doors.

If she's afraid of offending her roommates, she tells them it's not for them, it's for break-ins, visitors, or Richard Speck or Ted Bundy, and for her dad.  

You didn’t say anything wrong. I was shooting for humor on the reply as well...wrong emojis maybe.

No worries, we’re all good.

[Oss]

what they all said

But please make sure that you do not need a key to exit any door in the house

Also a good fire extinguisher  and a working co/smoke detector is a good housewarming present

[scooperhsd]

what they all said

But please make sure that you do not need a key to exit any door in the house

Also a good fire extinguisher  and a working co/smoke detector is a good housewarming present

Yes - safety first - even (or maybe especially) for college girls in their first apartment !!!

[The emperor has no clothes]

what they all said

But please make sure that you do not need a key to exit any door in the house

Also a good fire extinguisher  and a working co/smoke detector is a good housewarming present

Good advice  (maybe even 2 or 3 of each)

[Robert]

Does a college girl actually have enough stuff to even ensure?

 

[Jersey mike]

what they all said

But please make sure that you do not need a key to exit any door in the house

Also a good fire extinguisher  and a working co/smoke detector is a good housewarming present

Wow, never dawned on me for fire extinguishers and I have 3 in the house.

Smoke/co detectors are suppose to be mandatory but I’ll definitely check.

I appreciate all the feedback back thanks guys.

[Rams]

Learned a lot in this thread, I didn't think it would be possible.

Let us know how it all works out.

Rams