 "Photo: James Norton, Staff Photographer")
While settling into their residence halls, apartments and houses, San Diego State students are urged to take the proper precautions with personal things such as possessions, health and cars.
California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi encouraged parents and students to re-evaluate their protection regarding personal assets during a press conference last Saturday at the Piedra del Sol Apartments on the west side of campus.
Garamendi said he estimates very few college students have adequate insurance coverage for their personal property.
"When I went to school, I had maybe $200 worth of stuff," said Garamendi, who earned his bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of California, Berkeley. "We used pencils and slide rules then. It was a different period. But now with these laptops and all this electronic equipment, it starts adding up."
For SDSU students living in on-campus housing, university insurance does not cover personal-property damage. The university guidelines recommend obtaining insurance such as a renter's policy, though coverage may be minimal.
Garamendi said some students may be covered under their parents' homeowners or renters policies, but many students living off campus are not covered.
"Knowing what coverage you have is an important first step," Garamendi said.
Depending on the type of coverage, local insurance agencies offer annual rates for apartment renters ranging from as little as $200 to more than $600.
Though this may seem like a lot for college students on a tight budget, it may be worth it for some residents to pay now and save later.
Garamendi visited Piedra del Sol resident Beth Carino's apartment to help her estimate the value of her possessions.
Once inside, he found about $500 worth of DVDs and about $2,500 worth of furniture and valuables in Carino's living room.
But Carino doesn't have renters insurance and would not be able to claim her property losses in case of theft or damage.
"It's something that I need to look into because I didn't realize how much I have," said Carino, who is a political science and sociology junior. "Sometimes I leave my door unlocked when I'm doing laundry.
"It only takes me five minutes. And it's not that much time. But it's enough time for someone to walk in there."
Carino said she didn't know what options were available to students.
Piedra del Sol apartment manager Rachel Hammer said only two minor reported thefts have occurred during the past year, but residents also have to consider property damage caused by fire or water.
"This is a complex of older students, and they're on their own lease, not their parents'," Hammer said. "Students are responsible, and we encourage them to take the steps to be responsible, but sometimes (bad) stuff can happen."
Garamendi suggested that students document all of their personal belongings and accompany photographic evidence for insurance claim purposes. He said students should keep these records at their permanent home with their parents or in a safety deposit box.
"Don't keep these lists with you," Garamendi said. "If there's a flood in your apartment, you won't have this record, so it's important to put it somewhere safe."
Along with securing one's personal property, Garamendi said all students should have current health insurance.
Many students are under their parents' health insurance policies but need to check if they will be dropped at a certain age. If so, these students can look into the university's health plan or other options.
Garamendi said all students who drive must have auto insurance, not only because it's the law, but for their own safety.
"Many students don't realize they need to inform their auto insurance companies when the car is no longer parked in Mom and Dad's driveway at night," he said. "The last thing you want to hear is that a $2,000 fender bender in the campus parking lot isn't covered because you weren't insured at school."
For more insurance tips, students can visit www.insurance.ca.gov.
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