What some people forget to look into is where they live.  If you live in a particular area that is susceptible to damage caused by mother nature, you may need to add to your policy.  Depending on your particular situation, you want to make sure that the necessary coverage is applied.

If you have any questions or concerns, make sure you contact an agent so you can rest assured.

All of the sudden you hear a few loud thuds and you rush to see what happened.  One of your friends slipped on your stairs, causing him to tumble to the bottom.  As you get closer, you realize that he has broken their arm.  Worried about the well being of the individual, you end the party and help him get to the hospital.  The next day you are feeling pretty good about yourself because you stayed at the hospital all night to comfort your friend.  A few weeks pass by before you find out that you are being sued for the cost of the injuries.

At this point, you are confused because you don’t feel that you were liable in any way.  In fact, you feel like you did everything you could have to help the situation.  Well, too bad! If someone is injured on your property, you are liable for costs incurred from the injuries.

While it may be impossible to prevent some of the misfortunes that come with life, being prepared pays off.  Renters insurance not only provides coverage for personal belongings, it also covers personal liability.  With this coverage, lawsuits related to injuries on your property can be much less stressful.

It greats better, renters insurance is very affordable.  Based on a national average, premiums can be as low as $160 a year!

10am: While sitting in chemistry, you hear of a fire back at the dorms.

10:30am: You rush back to the dorms after class to see what all the talk is about.

As you approach the dormitory, you begin to realize that the dorm that has caught fire is your dorm. As people evacuate, you are forced to stand by and watch all of your possessions go up in flames. You begin to panic, price tags start to race through your head. You know that you live on a limited budget that won’t cover the costs of your belongings! As you sit there, you begin to wonder what could have been done.

This situation probably hasn’t played out in your head and hopefully, you will never have to experience it. Unfortunately, situations like these do occur and when they do, they tend to leave behind a trail of devastation. The students of New Jersey’s Seaton Hall College know this agony all too well.

On January 19, 2000, students awoke from bed expecting another normal day at Seaton Hall. Before the day was out a massive fire swept through their dormitory, claiming lives and destroying precious possessions.
The worst part is, Seaton Hall is not unique. Including Seaton, there are twelve schools that have incurred deadly fires within the past few decades.

• Providence College
• University of North Carolina
• University of California
• Ohio State University
• Greenville (Ill.) College
• Texas College
• University of Tennessee .
• Murray State University (Ky.)
• Rutgers University
• Central Missouri State University
• Radford (Va.) University

As surprising as this list may seem, it only reflects deadly fires. Minor fires that destroy possessions and structures occur much more frequently.
On top of fires, college atmospheres like the dorms, increase the likelihood for accidents and crime.

Don’t wait until you are the one on the curb wondering if you could have done something.

Do something today and get yourself renters insurance to protect against the economic losses caused by fire, smoke and many other perils of college life.

If you do not want to be left vulnerable, renters insurance is a great option to keep you protected. With the high traffic that occurs in the dorms, you never know what may happen. It may not be your fault but regardless, you will be the one to pay for it if you are not covered. Renters insurance is very affordable and when it is compared to the cost of replacing expensive belongings like laptops and televisions, it looks even better. Depending on your coverage, you will be reimbursed for the depreciated value of your belongings or their replacement cost. At college renters insurance, you can rest assured that if something happens, you will be getting ever penny it takes to replace your belongings because we only offer replacement cost policies. Furthermore, our policy covers accidents that occur within the rented property. This means, if someone gets hurt in your place and they come to after you for money, you will be covered!

It is far too often the headlines read everything lost in apartment fire or thousands in damages to be paid on property damage. In this case, Crista Fischer is fortunate enough to have a renters policy that is expected to reimburse all of her expenses associated with the fire. Since her experience in December, Fischer insisted that “everybody needs to have renter’s insurance.”

Although most people know the risks they take on without coverage, Mike Shanahan, an Insurance company owner in Fremont, reported to the Fremont Tribune that its common for renters not to carry renter’s insurance.

For $10 a month it saved Crista and some policies are even less that! Look into coverage before your horror story hits the headlines!

Before signing a lease be sure you have toured the entire complex. Ask to see a model, or if possible the actual apartment you will be renting. Realize however keeping a model apartment in good condition and looking great is much easier than the lived in apartment you will be moving into. When touring the apartment look for any warning flags such as: moldy carpeting, water stains on the ceiling, large or irregular holes in the walls, rusty appliances, etcetera. Here are a few key questions to either memorize or bring along written in a checklist:

-How much is rent and how long is the leasing term?

-What is the penalty for ending the lease early?

-When is rent due every month?

-If I forget to pay my rent on time is there a grace period? What are the late fees?

-Are utilities included in the rent?

-What is the complex’s maintenance policy? Do you have to repair appliances yourself?

-Does the apartment share a water heater?

(The more people who share a water heater the less hot water you will have available. If it is a smaller water heater or

shared by many people, you may not want to do the dishes, run laundry, and take a shower at the same time.)

-Does the complex allow pets?

-How many parking spaces are allowed per apartment and where do guests park?

After asking all the questions you can possibly think of and found an apartment in your price range it is time to look at the lease. When reading over the lease be careful not to skip over any part of the agreement. Here you will find the important responsibilities on the apartment complex and yourself. Make sure the lease states the correct lease effective date & termination date. If it does not contain correct information or you would like a portion of the lease changed, request a re-written lease with the correct information. If  you and the leasing manager initial next the the changes made you should be safe, however it is preferable that a new lease is printed.

Once a lease is signed be sure to document the apartment’s current condition and photograph or write down all damages before you move in. When moving in be sure to keep a copy of your lease accessible. This will be helpful if you should have any questions about your freedoms or the apartment complex’s responsibilities. Remember, if you do not abide by your responsibilities in the lease you are breaking the lease and in danger of eviction.

Another perfect fit for your new apartment is renters insurance. GradGuard’s Renters Insurance protects you from the costs of replacing your personal belongings when they are damaged, stolen, or vandalized. It can provide protection for personal possessions that don’t happen to be in the apartment or house at the time of the loss as well. GradGuard Renters Insurance also provides personal liability coverage if you are found at fault for injuring someone or their property. Keep in mind moving from the dorms to an apartment  is an experience in itself, find a renters insurance policy with the right fit for you at: www.collegerentersinsurance.com.

Happy hunting!

In Coppell, TX, 20 people living in an apartment complex are going to be spending the holidays rebuilding their lives. Unfortunately, their apartment complex went up in flames and even worse, none of them had insurance. Many of the residents are still waiting to hear back from a restoration company on whether or not their apartment is salvageable. Some have already found out their apartments were a total loss.

James Banter, a resident at the complex, never bought a policy. Thankfully, he was able to make it out with his wife and dog but there’s no telling what else will be saved.

“We’re still kind of in shock. Being close to the holidays it’s kind of saddening, but this is what you have to go through sometimes I guess,” Banter said.

You may face tragedy at some point in your life as well but you can protect yourself from making a bad situation even worse. Renters insurance is very low cost with a very high reward. Don’t find yourself regretting decisions you should have made in the past, get covered!

The man had recently moved into a rental home in May and in September he came up with a plan. Sattler set his home on fire when his family was out after first removing his expensive belongings such as electronics. He then went forward with a fraudulent insurance claim. After investigators looked into the situation, items that were claimed to be lost in the fire turned up in different spots around town. Sattler is now facing six years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

This just goes to show, it doesn’t pay to take advantage of a system that is in place for protection, not gain.

Fannie Mae has introduced a new approach to keeping struggling borrowers in their homes: turning them into tenants. This really provides a great service for homeowners facing foreclosure because it allows them time to plan their next step.

If you are in this situation, look into the program and check for eligibility. Anyone that has experienced a foreclosure or is experiencing one will tell you, doing nothing is not going to get you very far.

If you are eligible, good for you and best of luck! Don’t forget that upon removal of being the homeowner you are also no longer eligible for homeowners insurance. Look into renters insurance to keep all your belongings safe!

Although we would like to believe that areas around college campuses would be a safer environment where these types of crimes wouldn’t occur, it’s not!  You are just a susceptible at your off campus home or even in the campus parking lot!

There are a few precautions you can take to lower your chances of this occurring to you.

• Lock up your vehicle, insuring all windows are completely shut
• Install a car alarm
• Park in lighted areas if possible
• Clean out your car
  • Remove all electronics
  • If the stereo face plate is removable, remove it
  • Sports equipment
  • Tools
  • Briefcases/purses
  • Backpacks
  • Clothing

Contrary to common belief, renters insurance also provides you with possession protection if you fall victim to burglary to your vehicle.  As part of the renters insurance plan, when you move your possessions out of your home and into your vehicle, coverage still applies!