While college life provides a memorable experience to the whole educational journey of most students, it also allows them to learn a sense of independence and responsibility from saving money and living on their own. Student life practices experiential learning. Their life in college, outside the four walls of the classroom, will enable them to learn how to take initiatives, make decisions and be accountable for the results of their actions.

Parents allow them this opportunity to both enjoy and learn from their own experiences. However, even with punctuality, discipline and maturity, students are exposed to different risks as much as working adults do. 

At this day and age of technology, countless virtual events talk about how ideal college life is but rarely give the reality one should always take note of. In GradGuard (2015), they cited the four most common risks college students should avoid. This includes stress, illness, theft and fire:

1. Stress:  Students are commonly confronted with stress due to their increased responsibilities, mismanagement of time, changes in their eating and sleeping habits, not getting enough breaks for self-care and mental health.
2. Illnesses:  Anxiety, depression and other physical illnesses are common in college, these could be due to the fact that they find it hard to cope with the college lifestyle or simply from living closely with other students who have an infectious disease.
3. Theft:  Since many students live with others in the same dormitory, their privacy, finances and their belongings can be at risk as well.
4. Fire:  Torch from frat houses, burning toasts, unplugged cables and cigarettes can pose fire hazards and harm students as well as the entire college.

With their exposure to these risks, it is important to be secured with an insurance when the immediate need for so arises. Here are a few suggestions:

Health Insurance

Since students are highly exposed to health risks, health insurance should be essential all throughout college. This plan typically pays for all the medical and surgical needs a student must undergo if necessary. 

Travelers Insurance

Many college students are also adventure-seekers. While young and energetic, it is just usual for these learners to travel and enjoy. On spring break they may enjoy a beer by the beach or a fine wine beside a lake house. However they wish to enjoy their trips, availing a travel insurance can provide for an additional protection when certain financial risks and losses occur. These losses include minor ones like a delayed flight or lost suitcase or major ones like a last-minute trip cancellation or a medical emergency domestic or overseas.

Tuition Insurance

If you hope or are attending an expensive college and you want to eliminate the financial burden, a tuition plan from a reputable insurance provider is definitely a must-have. For a less troublesome college experience, consult with your insurance provider today. Usually, like in GradGuard, tuition insurance policies allow reimbursements even if a student will not be able to complete an academic year for whatever valid reason; injuries and accidents. A lot of comprehensive plans are actually up for grabs. You just have to find the best provider.

Car Insurance

Car or auto insurances are a great way for financial protection against physical damage or bodily injury which occurred from traffic collisions. It also spares the plan holder against the liability that could arise from incidents in a vehicle. Student-drivers can highly benefit from this plan as well as their passengers in an accident since most auto insurances also have medical payments coverage and personal injury protection.

Renters’ Insurance

Also called tenants’ insurance, a renters’ insurance policy provides protection for your personal property in a rented apartment, condo or home from unforeseen circumstances such as theft or fire. In general, you get to receive a sum of money as a replacement for your lost or damaged possession. This is the answer to the privacy and theft issues college students usually face living in their dormitories. Also, it can save you from the liability when someone is injured within your property.

Apple Care

Apple and Mac products are common belongings of college students. They use these digital hardware for research, assignments and connecting with friends and family. As such, frequent usage can increase products’ wear and tear. Apple care offers extended warranty and technical support plans for all their devices. It also covers protection from accidental damage, theft and loss.

From freshman year to internships and even summer jobs, students must not overlook the threats and risks living alone and entering college life. The list above provides some of the most beneficial insurance plans college students must carefully review and consider. They need to select a trustworthy insurance provider, ensure that they remain eligible and must review the policies with someone more knowledgeable than them. Maintaining an insurance also entails intrinsic financial planning to avoid debt. College is indeed both challenging and compelling. Careful decision making and having to manage their own finances are some of the daring moves students have to make. Having a strong plan that can help them survive this phase of their lives will give them a strong foundation for adulthood.