North Carolina Criminal Law UpdatesIf you’re a parent with kids heading to college, one of the biggest concerns you may have is making sure your kids are protected.
This includes ensuring they have everything they need when they go to college – including insurance. 
If your child is heading off to college soon, it’s important to make sure you have the right insurance in place.
In this blog post, we will discuss what type of insurance you should have for your child while they’re away at school, and how to get it set up!
First Steps for Parents
There are a few things you need to do to make sure college students are adequately insured before they go their own way.
First, you’ll need to check with your current insurance provider to see if your child is still covered under your health insurance plan.
If they have health coverage, great!
You can rest assured knowing that your child is taken care of.
However, if your child is not covered under your current plan or health insurance company, you’ll need to look into getting them their own insurance.
The best way to do this is to research different insurance providers and compare rates.
Once you’ve found a few options that you like, it’s time to start the process of getting your child insured!
Health Coverage Options for Young Adults
There are a few different health coverage options available for young adults. 
The first option is to enroll your child in a health insurance plan through their college or university.
Many colleges and universities offer health insurance plans for their students, and this can be a great way to make sure your child has insurance coverage.
Another option is to enroll your child in a private health insurance plan.
There are a number of different private health insurance companies that offer plans for young adults.
You can shop around and compare different health care plans to find one that fits your child’s needs and budget.
The third option is to keep your child on your own health insurance plan.
If you have health insurance through your employer, you may be able to keep your child on your plan until they get older.
This can be a great way to provide continuity of coverage for your child.
No matter which option you choose, it’s important to make sure your child has some form of health insurance coverage.
Do you have access to your college student’s “sensitive information” and student records?
If you are the parent or guardian of a college student, you may not have access to their “sensitive information,” which includes student records and health care documentation.
In order to help protect your child’s privacy, it is important that you understand your rights and responsibilities under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records.
The law applies to all schools that receive funds from the U.S. Department of Education.
Under FERPA, parents or guardians generally do NOT have the right to:
- Review their child’s educational records
- Review your child’s health records or health care history
- Review financial planning and loan accounts
Your child decides whether you are given access to that information.
That includes issues involving health coverage and medical history.
What are Educational Records?
Educational records are any records that are maintained by a school that relate to a student and are used for, or have the potential to be used for, educational purposes.
This includes, but is not limited to: transcripts, class schedules, disciplinary records, contact information, and financial aid records.
Does my college student need car insurance?
This is a common question among parents of college students.
The simple answer is yes, your child will need car insurance if they plan on bringing a car to school with them.
Even if your child does not own the car, but rather is renting or borrowing one, they will still need to be insured.
The best way to get insurance for your college student is to add them as an occasional driver on your existing policy.
This way, they are covered by your insurance and you do not have to pay for a separate policy just for them.
Are college students eligible for insurance under the Affordable Care Act?
The Affordable Care Act requires that all Americans have health insurance, so unless your child has a job that offers them health insurance, they will need to be covered by a parent’s plan or purchase their own.
If your child is no longer a dependent on your taxes, then they may not eligible to be on your health insurance plan.
If you have any other questions about what kind of insurance your college student needs, speak with an agent at your insurance company. They will be able to help you make the best decision for your family’s needs.
College Students and Homeowners Insurance
As a parent, you want to make sure your kids are safe and protected when they go off to college.
But what does that mean for your homeowners insurance policy?
Here are a few things to consider:
- Do you need to add your child to your policy?
- How much coverage do you need?
- What kind of discounts are available?
- Is the plan open enrollment?
Adding Your Child to Your Policy
If your child is attending college away from home, you may not need to add them to your policy.
Check with your insurance agent to see if they will be covered under your existing policy.
If not, you may need to purchase a separate renters insurance policy for them.
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Your homeowners insurance policy should cover the value of your home and all your belongings.
If your college student has a computer and other valuables, you may want to purchase additional coverage for those items before dorm drop-off day.
You should also make sure you have enough liability coverage to protect yourself in case someone is injured on your property.
What Kind of Discounts Are Available?
Many insurance companies offer discounts for college students who maintain good grades.
Some companies also offer discounts if your child installs a security system in their apartment or dorm room.
Be sure to ask your insurance agent about all the available discounts so you can get the best rate possible. You may also wish to review the official websites for carriers for options.
As a parent, it’s important to make sure your kids are safe and protected when they go off to college.
By considering these things, you can make sure you have the right homeowners insurance policy in place.
And that will give you peace of mind as your child starts this new chapter in their life.
Life Insurance for College Students
It can be difficult to think about life insurance when you’re young and healthy.
But if you have college-age children, it’s important to consider their needs in the event of your death.
While your child is still a dependent, they are likely covered under your life insurance policy.
But what happens when they head off to college?
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to life insurance and college students.
First, most policies require that the insured person be actively working in order for the benefits to be paid out.
So if your child is not working while they are in school, their coverage may be suspended. Additionally, many policies have a “rider” that covers full-time students up to age 23.
Once your child graduates from college, they will need to purchase their own life insurance policy if they want to be insured.
The good news is that life insurance rates are based on health and age, so the younger and healthier your child is, the more affordable their policy will be.
If you’re not sure what kind of life insurance coverage is right for your family, an experienced agent can help you find the best policy to fit your needs and budget.
Am I financially responsible for my college student?
No, you are not ordinarily financially responsible for your college student.
However, if you have co-signed on any loans for your child’s education, you will be responsible for those loans if they cannot pay them back.
It’s also important to keep in mind that while your child is away at school, they are likely to accumulate personal belongings that would need to be replaced if something happened to them.
So it’s a good idea to have adequate insurance coverage in place in case you or your children encounter problems.
What type of insurance is available if you are an employee of the federal government?
If you are an employee of the federal government, you may be eligible for health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).
This program offers a wide variety of health plans, so you can choose the coverage that best meets your needs.
Additionally, if you are a federal employee, you may also be eligible for dental, vision coverage, and prescription drugs through FEHBP.
There are many other insurance options available to college graduates, so it’s important to do your research to find the plan that best fits your needs and budget.
The bottom line is that it’s important to have adequate insurance coverage in place before your child heads off to college.
Raleigh Lawyers – Fanney Law Firm
If your college student gets in trouble while off to school, we’d like to help.
Our criminal defense lawyers help with a wide range of different legal issues involving college students, including but limited to: