People think of insurance as most important to someone at midlife, with a home and family to protect. In fact, insurance is something that college students should inventory with help from their parents.  Even seemingly small events – like a stolen laptop or mono – can impact a family’s financial well-being and a student’s academic success.

GradGuard recommends college parents and students take an inventory of the insurance that may help them reduce the harm that results from real risks surrounding college life.

Renters: Students living on- or off-campus can protect their personal items like computers, bikes, jewelry and other valuables with an inexpensive renters policy that covers theft, fire and weather-related destruction. Although parents’ homeowners policies may offer coverage for student renters, they typically carry a high deductible and may have coverage limitations for part-time students. GradGuard’s renters insurance not only includes personal property protection with replacement cost but also provides personal liability coverage. The average cost is less than $150/year, including up to $10,000 property coverage, $50,000 in personal liability and a $100 deductible. (www.GradGuard.com/renters)

Tuition: According to a 2009 study by Student Monitor, 27 percent of students had to, or knew someone who had to, withdraw from college mid-semester due to health issues or a death in the family. Until now, tuition insurance was typically available only at select private colleges and universities, and many school’s refund policies only cover withdrawals within the first five weeks of the semester.  GradGuard’s tuition insurance program (www.GradGuard.com/tuition) provides up to $50,000 of annual tuition insurance for the non-refunded financial loss associated with the cost of attending college. The GradGuard plan is available to students nationwide and covers verifiable losses connected to the cost of attendance.  This includes not only the loss of non-refunded tuition payments, but also academic fees, room and board, books, and travel to and from the academic program. Rates start at $19.91/month for $5000/term or $10,000/annual coverage.

Health: A 2009 eHealth research study found that only “three in five (60%) college students are currently covered either by their parents’ health insurance plan or a health insurance plan paid for by their parents.”   Until now, the remaining students, particularly the more than 6.5 million students attending two-year or community colleges, have had few relevant alternatives to address the financial risk associated with student accident and illness. The GradGuard™ Student Health Plan (www.GradGuard.com/health) provides broader accident and sickness benefits than many limited coverage school sponsored policies.  The GradGuard Student Health Plan, also available through eHealth, includes tuition refund insurance, and is the only plan of its kind available nationwide to any student attending any accredited college or university.  The annual cost ranges from $1464 to $1848 depending on the deductible.

Identity Theft Protection & Resolution: According to the 2010 Identity Fraud Survey Report released by Javelin Strategy and Research, more than 11 million people became victims of identity theft in 2009. Young adults aged 18-24 took the longest to detect identity theft —132 days on average — when compared to other age groups. Subsequently, the average cost ($1,156) was roughly five times more than amounts lost by other age groups. An Identity Theft Protection & Resolution plan, like the one included in GradGuard’s Student Protection Plan, helps protect against certain types of identity theft and aids in the resolution if one becomes a victim.  The cost of this coverage is included in GradGuard’s tuition insurance plan.

Emergency Medical Evacuation: Emergency medical evacuation is important for any student living away from home or studying abroad. If a student becomes seriously ill or has an accident while on spring break or studying abroad this type of insurance will help bring the student home or to the nearest medical facility near home.  This coverage is included in GradGuard’s Tuition Insurance, Student Protection Plan, and student health insurance plans.

This inventory can be helpful to all college families as well as any person evaluating how to mitigate the risks facing their lives.

Filed under: DO UR HMWK, Risky Business by GradGuard Social tagging: affordable health insurance > college life > college parents > college refund insurance > college renters insurance > college students > Emergency Medical Evacuation > Emergency Medical Evacuation for College Students > Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance > GradGuard > GradGuard Tuition Insurance > Health Care > health insurance > ID Theft > ID Theft & Resolution Service > ID Theft Insurance > renter's insurance > short term health insurance > Short-Term Medical Insurance > student protection plan > tuition insurance
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There is a great deal of discussion regarding the involvement of parents in college students lives these days.   Most of the attribution as to why is that it is a habit of over-involved parents that is advanced by the availability of technology to “over parent”.

Yet this is among the LA Times story by Larry Gordon -  also identifies the risk facing parents and the investment they are making as part of the reason for their involvement.   The entire article by Larry Gordon is worth reading and is linked below.   One of the quotes that helps illustrate the point from the article follows.

“A lot of parents are paying big tabs, and they want to have a more active involvement in where their money is going,” he said.  The colleges also have a long-term financial interest in keeping them happy, Mack said. “If the student had a great experience and is gainfully employed after graduation…”

Helping families and universities to manage these risks are a part of GradGuard’s mission.   The financial risk surrounding a college education is considerable and growing, as a result GradGuard’s tuition insurance is a vital consideration for more families.    The personal property that students have today is valuable and often not-covered by the high-deductible home-owners insurance policies, as a result GradGuards renters insurance.     The health of students is frequently, but not always an equal concern for families and when school policies fall short of coverage for the price GradGuard’s health insurance is still another option.     Instead of being concerned about over-involved parents, GradGuard supports helping parents to address the anxiety and risk that comes from this unique life-stage.   GradGuard is increasingly partnering with colleges and universities so colleges fulfill the promise of not just an education but one that is also “College Life Protected” by GradGuard.

By Larry Gordon, Los Angeles Times – August 29, 2010

Keeping parents’ ‘helicopters’ grounded during college

“Facing a generation of text-messaging parents who are often intensely involved in their offspring’s lives and academic careers, many schools are launching or expanding orientation events to inform parents about all sorts of details of university life. There are parents-only workshops on health insurance, dorm life, financial aid, academics, alcohol abuse and policing.

More important, campus officials say, is explicit advice aimed at easing the pain of separation for the older generation and discouraging intrusive habits that have earned some the title of “helicopter parents” for their habit of hovering.

Last year, 97% of U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities surveyed had held orientations for parents of incoming students, according to the University of Minnesota’s National Survey of College and University Parent Programs, a study of 500 schools. That’s up from 61% in 2003, the study showed.

Because of frequent text messages and e-mails home, parents today know significantly more about their college-age children’s lives and problems than parents knew a generation ago….That increased communication between students and parents — and parents and colleges — “is not either good or bad. It’s just the way life is,” said Marjorie Savage, parent program director at the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus.  Savage, the author of a guidebook called “You’re on Your Own (But I’m Here if You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years,” said few parents become a serious problem for schools. Parental intrusions tend to decline after freshman year, she said.

Craig Mack, president of the National Orientation Directors Assn., said another reason for colleges to pay attention to parental anxiety is the growing price of college tuition. “A lot of parents are paying big tabs, and they want to have a more active involvement in where their money is going,” he said.  The colleges also have a long-term financial interest in keeping them happy, Mack said. “If the student had a great experience and is gainfully employed after graduation, the parents are more likely to contribute to the school even if they are not alumni,” he said.”

Filed under: DO UR HMWK, Risky Business, Tuition Insurance, Uncategorized by GradGuard Social tagging: college life > college life protected > college orientation > college parents > college refund insurance > college students > GradGuard > GradGuard.com > renter's insurance > risk > student health insurance > student life > tuition insurance > uninsured
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Some times it is easier to hear a message than to read one.   As a result, GradGuard has been sharing a message to radio listeners.

There is a lot more to consider than what is in a 30 second spot – but it will give students and parents something to think about.

Please listen and let us know your thoughts.   http://www.gradguard.com/static/radio/radio.html

Filed under: DO UR HMWK, Risky Business, Tuition Insurance by John Social tagging: college refund insurance > college students > GradGuard > GradGuard.com > student protection plan > tuition insurance
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Filed under: DO UR HMWK, Risky Business, Student Protection Plan, Tuition Insurance by John Social tagging: college parents of america > college refund > college refund insurance > GradGuard > GradGuard.com > ID Theft Insurance > insurance > student prote > student protection plan > tuition insurance > Tuition Refund
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Recently there has been some productive discussion regarding how necessary tuition insurance may be to the 19 million students starting college this year.   Most of the discussion including today’s article in the Wall Street Journal incorrectly focus on the Dewars plan which is only offered to the 170 or so elite colleges.    If you are like most college students, up until this year, you have never had the opportunity to even buy tuition insurance.    Many families are not even aware that it is even possible to protect their families from the potential loss that can occur from an unexpected illness, accident, injury or even death.    Moreover, most families and students are unaware of the real risks and problems that can interrupt a college education.

Before forming an opinion on if tuition insurance is good or bad, recognize that the risks are real.   The ACHA- National College Student Health Trends Fall 2009 Study demonstrate just a few of these risks:

1) within the last 12 months, 1,165,000 or 12.9% of students have been diagnosed or treated for problems with depression and/or anxiety.

2) within the last 12 months, 479,000 or 5.3% of students stated that the death of a friend or a family member had a negative impact on their academic life.

3) within the last 12 months, 144,000 or 1.6% of students were diagnosed or treated for mononucleosis.

Exact numbers on medical withdrawals from college are difficult to obtain. But clearly they do occur and more than 1.5 million students will experience one of just three examples of incidents that could qualify for a medical withdrawal.   A 2009 Student Monitor study found that 27% of students either themselves experienced or had a close friend who experienced a mid-semester withdrawal from college due to student medical condition or a death in their immediate family.

Only it’s not just that college “can be” expensive, it is expensive, very expensive indeed. And the risk of losing money when a medical withdrawal occurs is very real, with rare chance for a successful appeal.  College Parents of America recently conducted a survey of 215 colleges and universities across the country.  Of the 215 schools researched, 181 (84%) have strict refund schedules for medical withdrawal, without a refund appeal mechanism with most not refunding any tuition after the 4th week of class. The other 16% of schools surveyed do have an appeals process for students who are looking for a larger refund.

Now with a threat of losing money invested on college – from tuition, fees, books and even room and board, this real, you might wonder why you would invest in a college education without some insurance to protect the investment.   We protect our homes, our automobiles, our health and even our travel – so tuition insurance is a product that is now not only necessary but also available to all students and their families.

GradGuard exists in part, to make sure that the risks facing college students do not interfere or disrupt the pursuit of a college education.  GradGuard’s tuition insurance helps address one of the major reasons a student might not complete school which is due to financial loss associated with the death of the tuition payer, a catastrophic medical problem, or a mental health problem.

Please visit us again for the rest of the story and GradGuard’s estimates regarding the financial loss families experience each year.



Filed under: DO UR HMWK, Risky Business by John Social tagging: affordable health insurance > college parents of america > college refund insurance > GradGuard > GradGuard.com > student protection plan > tuition insurance > tuition refund insurance > Wall Street Journal
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Some times articles are so comprehensive that they are worth linking to and sharing directly.   As a result, please see today’s story from USA Today on the options for health insurance for college students.

GradGuard is mentioned within the story as a good alternative for students.   We are pleased for the recognition, but also want to share that in addition to competitive pricing and strong coverage, the GradGuard student health plan also includes $5,000 of tuition refund insurance as well as emergency medical evacuation insurance.   Both of these features are not only relevant but worth hundreds of dollars if students purchase them separately.

Please read the complete article from USA Today here.  http://usat.me/39772372   Here are some of the highlights:

By Sandra Block, USA TODAY -

“Here’s a look at your options:

•Your parents’ employer-provided plan. More than two-thirds of college students are covered by their parents’ plans, and even more could be eligible for that type of coverage next year. Under the health care reform bill signed into law in May, college students and other young adults who aren’t covered by an employer-provided plan can remain on a parent’s plan until age 26.

For insurance plans that operate on a calendar-year basis, the requirement doesn’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2011, but some large insurers have extended coverage ahead of the deadline.

Pros: You’ll receive more generous coverage than you can get anywhere else, says Bryan Liang, executive director for the Institute of Health Law Studies at the California Western School of Law in San Diego. And your parents’ group plan can’t exclude you for having pre-existing health problems.

“If you can get on your parent’s plan, take advantage of it, because employer-based coverage is the best coverage” you can get, Liang says.

Cons: If you attend college far from home, you may not have access to providers who participate in your parent’s plan, says James Turner, director of the student health service at the University of Virginia and immediate past president of the American
College Health Association, an advocacy group for college health professionals.

•Your college’s health insurance plan. More than half of colleges and universities sponsor their own health insurance plans for students, according to a 2008 report by the GAO.

Pros: If you don’t have access to a parent’s plan, your college’s plan could offer a low-cost source of coverage. Annual premiums for student health insurance plans range from $30 to $2,400, and the average premium is about $850, the GAO said.

Cons: School-sponsored plans do a good job of handling immunizations, colds and flu, because their priority is to keep diseases from spreading across campus, says Joel Ohman, a financial planner and founder of Insurance Providers, an insurance brokerage website. But in many cases, he says, they don’t do a good job of covering major medical problems.

For example, many college plans analyzed by the GAO had coverage limits for specific conditions. More than half of the plans had a maximum benefit amount of $30,000 per condition, and 35% had a cutoff of $50,000. Either limit could leave you on the hook for thousands of dollars if you developed a serious illness.

In addition, some plans contained additional caps on the amount they would pay for a specific service or set of services, the GAO said. For example, one plan limited lifetime coverage for all outpatient services — including doctor’s visits, X-rays, lab fees and chemotherapy — to $1,200 per condition, the GAO said. A student diagnosed with cancer could hit that limit on the first day of treatment, Liang says.

In April, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo charged that many school-sponsored plans provide generous profits to insurance companies while putting students at risk. An investigation by Cuomo’s office found that, in addition to low

coverage limits, some plans excluded students with pre-existing health problems, or charged them a higher premium. Others failed to cover prescription drugs or placed limits on drug coverage, Cuomo said. And some plans had per-illness caps as low as $700, Cuomo said. Cuomo’s office looked at 65 policies offered by colleges and universities in New York, along with some out-of-state schools
attended by New York residents.

•Individual insurance plans. These plans are available through websites such as eHealthInsurance.

Pros: Premiums for young, healthy adults are usually affordable — as low as $600 a year in some cases, Liang says. You may have a wider choice of providers than is available through your school’s health plan. And if you won’t be eligible for your parent’s plan until next year, an individual plan could provide short-term coverage at a relatively low cost.

Some insurers are offering individual plans targeted at students who don’t have insurance through their parents but aren’t happy with their school’s plan. College Parents of America, a Virginia-based non-profit, recently launched GradGuard, an individual

insurance plan that offers broader coverage than most college plans. The plan covers up to $500,000 per condition. Annual premiums range from $1,464 to $1,848, depending on the deductible.

Cons: Deductibles and co-payments may be higher than those for a college-sponsored health plan. If you have chronic health problems, such as asthma, you may not be able buy an individual insurance plan, at least not at a price you can afford. The
health care reform bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage to people with medical conditions, but that provision doesn’t take effect until 2014.

You can find more information about individual insurance plans and other options for the uninsured at HealthCare.gov.”

Filed under: DO UR HMWK, Risky Business, Student Health by Sonia Social tagging: ACHA > affordable health insurance > college health > college health insurance > college parents of america > Emergency Medical Evacuation > Emergency Medical Evacuation for College Students > GradGuard.com > health insurance > student health > student health insurance > tuition insurance
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GradGuard has recognized that ID Theft and privacy of college students is a major concern and risk.   As a result, we have included ID Theft & Resolution services within the GradGuard Student Protection Plan.   The probability for young adults becoming a victim of ID Theft is high, it is also important to recognize that the potential financial risks from losing your tuition investment or having an accident or illness is even higher.    As a result, GradGuard’s Student Protection Plan includes tuition refund insurance, ID Theft & Resolution service and Emergency Medical Evacuation benefits.   So bottom line, protect yourself from ID Theft, but withone purchase get greater peace of mind for the incidents that may interrupt your students education.

For more insight, please read the article follows by By Howard Schwartz from the Connecticut BBB which Offers Tips for College Students to Protect Themselves Against ID Theft.

“Many young adults only learn how to handle their finances once they begin paying bills accumulated in college, however they often do not learn about preventing or discovering identity theft until they become victims. According to the 2010 Identity Fraud Survey Report released by Javelin Strategy and Research, more than 11 million people became victims of identity theft in 2009. Young adults aged 18-24 took the longest to detect identity theft—132 days on average—when compared to other age groups. Subsequently, the
average cost ($1,156) was roughly five times more than amounts lost by other age groups.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, says the ins and outs of identity theft are as important as any other element of money management. “Fixing the damage caused by identity theft can be an expensive and lengthy process, depending on a
number of factors, including whether the thief passed on the information to a third party or was caught.

“ID theft is much simpler to prevent than fix, and it is a vital lesson in sound money management practices.”
Connecticut BBB offers these tips for college students to fight identity theft:
-School mailboxes are not always secure and often can be easily accessed in a dorm or apartment. Have
sensitive mail sent to a permanent address such your parent’s home or a post office box.
-Important documents should be stored under lock and key, such as in a filing cabinet. This includes social
security card, passport, checks and bank and credit card statements.
-Shred any paper documents containing sensitive financial information rather than just tossing them out.
Also, shred any credit card offers that come in the mail.
-Never loan your credit or debit card to anyone, even a friend. Also just say “no” if a friend wants you to
cosign for a loan or financing for an item such as a TV.
-Make sure your computer has up-to-date antivirus and spyware software. Keep your computer safe from
emerging hacking technologies used by online thieves by installing updates and patches to your computer’s
operating system and browser software.
-Always check your credit and debit card statements closely for any suspicious activity. The sooner you
identify potential fraud, the less likely you will suffer in the long run.”

Great advice for all students and their parents.

Filed under: Connect With Us, DO UR HMWK, Risky Business by Eric Social tagging: college parents of america > college refund > college refund insurance > college students > Emergency Medical Evacuation > Emergency Medical Evacuation for College Students > Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance > GradGuard > Graduates > ID Theft > ID Theft & Resolution Service > ID Theft Insurance > student protection plan > tuition insurance > Tuition Refund > tuition refund insurance
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You can find GradGuard through many channels.  One of our trusted partners is eHealth which today released this comprehensive media alert that contains some excellent insights into health insurance options for college students and their families.  An abbreviated version appears below.

“eHealthInsurance (NASDAQ: EHTH), the leading online source of health insurance for individuals and families, today released a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help new and returning college students and their parents better understand their health insurance options after the passage of health reform legislation.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions An estimated 19 million students will be enrolling in classes this fall(1), and as many as 12%(2) of these may be uninsured. With several provisions of health reform legislation coming into effect on September 23, 2010, college students and their parents may not fully understand their health insurance options this year. The following FAQs are designed to answer specific concerns and help this year’s students find the best health insurance solution for their personal needs and budget:

Question: Do I need to have health insurance when I go to school?

Answer: Most colleges and universities require students to have some kind of health insurance coverage. Contact your school for more information, but keep in mind that health insurance is about more than getting access to health care when you need it. It also helps limit your financial liability for expenses that may arise from an unforeseen accident or injury — expenses that could potentially bankrupt you or your parents and seriously damage your prospects for the future. Whether or not your school requires it, make sure you’re covered.

Question: What are the health insurance options students can choose from this year?

Answer: Most college students in 2010 will choose from among the following five types of health insurance coverage:

--  Parents' health insurance plans. A provision of health reform law that
    becomes effective in 2010 allows adult children to keep their coverage
    under a parent's health insurance policy until age 26, whether or not
    they are currently enrolled in college. The parent's policy might be
    group coverage sponsored through an employer or an individual or
    family policy purchased by the parent. Some employer-based plans are
    accepting students now while others may wait until January 1, 2011
    before allowing students to re-enroll.
--  Individually-purchased health insurance plans. Many students purchase
    coverage on their own in the form of an individual, non-group policy.
    There is a broad variety of individual coverage options to choose from
    nationwide. However, until 2014, in most states it is still possible
    to be declined for individual coverage based on pre-existing medical
    conditions.
--  School-sponsored health plans. Many colleges and universities offer
    their own health insurance plans to students. Some of these plans
    place strict limits on the range of benefits covered and may limit
    access to only those doctors and services available through an
    on-campus student health center. As regulations for health reform laws
    continue to be written, the future of school-sponsored plans is
    uncertain.
--  Individually-purchased student health plans. These plans may resemble
    school-sponsored plans by placing specific limits on certain benefits,
    but they typically offer more freedom in obtaining medical care away
    from campus. Student health plans may be especially valuable for those
    going to school in a different state. While the post-reform future of
    these products is also uncertain, new and innovative student health
    plans with richer benefits are being introduced to the market.
--  Government insurance options. These may include state or federal
    insurance programs such as Medicaid or high risk pools. In order to
    qualify for some of these products you must have a diagnosis for a
    pre-existing medical condition on file with your doctor. You may also
    need to have been previously uninsured for a minimum of six months.

Question: How did the passage of health reform change things for students this year?

Answer: Some of the most profound changes to the health insurance market won’t come into effect until 2014, but here are four ways that health reform has changed options for students looking for health insurance this year:

1.  Health reform allows students (and non-students) to stay on their
    parents' plans until age 26. Before the passage of health reform, some
    students lost coverage under parents' plans earlier.
2.  Health reform strengthens protections for individually purchased
    coverage. After September 23, 2010, new individual health insurance
    policies will cover certain preventive care screenings (women's health
    screenings, for example) with no out-of-pocket cost to you. Health
    reform also made it more difficult for the insurance company to cancel
    your individual coverage retroactively if you become ill.
3.  New high risk pool coverage will be made available beginning in 2010 for
    persons who may not qualify for individual coverage due to a pre-
    existing medical condition.
4.  It's still not entirely clear, but school-sponsored health plans and
    other student health plans may be forced to expand their coverage as a
    result of health reform. Many of these plans currently limit coverage to
    a maximum dollar amount on a per-condition basis. Health reform may
    erase such dollar limits.

Question: Isn’t it best to stick with my parents’ health insurance plan?

Answer: Not necessarily. It may be convenient to stay on your parents’ plan, and the levels of coverage available through some employer-sponsored group plans can be excellent. However, if you are going to school in a different state than the one in which your parents live, you may find that your coverage levels are significantly lower when you’re away from home, and there may be no in-network doctors or hospitals available to you near your school.

Furthermore, while a parent’s employer may keep you on their group policy as a dependent, they may not contribute very much toward your monthly premiums. Your parents may have to pay significantly more to keep you on their plan than it may cost for you to purchase comparable individual coverage on your own. It’s a good idea to go over the dollars involved and the levels of coverage you’ll enjoy while at school to see if it may make more sense to move to an individual policy or student health plan, with or without assistance from your parents.

Question: My school offers coverage. Shouldn’t I just take what they’re offering?

Answer: Look over the benefit levels offered and what kind of coverage such a plan would provide if you had to seek medical attention while away from school or through a medical service provider other than the student health center. You should also be aware of any dollar limitations placed on your benefits. Many school-sponsored health plans limit your coverage on a per-condition basis. After considering your options, you may still decide that a school-sponsored plan is best for you. But don’t assume that it’s your only option.

Question: What should I do if I can’t re-enroll in my parents’ plan until January 2011?

Answer: The provision of health reform that allows adult children to stay on their parents’ plan comes into effect on September 23, 2010. However, due to open enrollment schedules, some employer-based plans may not allow you to re-enroll in a parent’s plan until January 2011. If you need a stop-gap to provide you with coverage until then, consider purchasing an individual health insurance plan, which can be paid month-to-month and cancelled at any time. Short-term health insurance plans offer another solution, but please note that short-term plans typically don’t cover preventive care, pre-existing medical conditions or prescription drugs.

Question: What if I have a pre-existing medical condition or am too old to stay on a parent’s plan?

Answer: If you have a pre-existing medical condition that makes it difficult to obtain health insurance on your own in the individual market and you’re too old to stay on a parent’s plan, you may have a couple choices. First, consider the school-sponsored plans available through your college or university. You may be eligible to enroll in these plans regardless of your medical history. Look at the fine print, however, and make sure that you understand any limitations that would be placed on your coverage. For example, some school-sponsored plans may limit coverage per-condition to $50,000 or less. That may sound like a lot, but a few days in the hospital for a serious condition could quickly use up those funds.

You should also consider an individually-purchased student health plan (the kind not offered through a specific school). For example, there’s a student health plan called GradGuard(TM) which allows for coverage up to $500,000 per-condition. No one is turned down for coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions, though GradGuard(TM) has a pre-existing condition exclusion period of twelve months. If you can show that you have had other coverage in place for the past year, however, then the exclusion period may be waived. Students of any age can qualify for coverage with GradGuard(TM).

Filed under: DO UR HMWK, Dear GG, Risky Business by GradGuard Social tagging: affordable health insurance > college parents > GradGuard > health care reform > health insurance > student health insurance
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This article by the Wall Street Journal was excellent, but it missed a few items that you should also pack for college.

Please read the entire article here – WSJ.com – Packing for College, 2010 Style http://on.wsj.com/cn2oeS

The article contains great advice, but our favorite was the following quote:

“Protect stuff. Typically, your homeowner’s insurance will cover what is in your kid’s dorm room, up to 10% of your coverage for personal possessions. Expensive items like that new iMac may not be fully covered; if you are worried about replacing it, you may want to insure it separately. Belongings in off-campus housing may or may not be covered; check with your insurer.

Create a personal file.While getting their belongings together, students should set up a file of key personal information, including a copy of their driver’s license, insurance cards, Social Security card, debit and credit cards and immunization records. A passport or a copy of one also is useful, both for travel and to confirm citizenship if you apply for a job.”

Three additional items that you must not forget:

1) For protecting your stuff consider a college specific renters insurance plan such as those offered at www.CollegeRentersInsurance.com - which includes replacement level coverage and personal liability coverage.

2) For your privacy and personal ID of your student – purchase ID Theft and Resolution services – that are included with different services such as membership in College Parents of America. or something called the Student Protection Plan.

3) Lastly – it is vital to understand your college medical withdrawal policy.   Most colleges don’t refund money after day 25 – even for illness, injury or disability – so you could be out thousands of dollars.    Get protection with GradGuard’s tuition refund insurance. Tuition insurance may not be something you needed in high school or something you have even heard of, but most students would benefit by having at least a minimum of $5,000 of annual college refund insurance.

Though you are not likely to forget it, what GradGuard recommends is that you consider your alternatives when it comes to student health insurance.   Your first choice is likely going to be your family policy.   If you are looking at buying your campus recommended plan, we suggest comparing the features and benefit levels to GradGuard’s Student Health Plan. No plan is perfect, but this is a good option for many students attending colleges with only small benefit plans.

Filed under: DO UR HMWK, Risky Business by GradGuard Social tagging: college parents of america > GradGuard > graduate insurance > renter's insurance > student health insurance > student protection plan > tuition insurance
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As back-to-school season approaches, students excitement about going off to college is likely accompanied by their parents’ dread of the costs associated with their education.

A quick search of online resources can uncover ways to save money while protecting your substantial investment in college.

Here are a few places to start:

o Ship it! For students making long-distance moves, consider shipping their belongings through a specialty college moving company. You’ll be able to track the packages and your student won’t have to haul them through the airport – or worry that they’ll be lost by the airline.

o Take an insurance inventory; special tuition and renters policies are available for college students. Study the school’s tuition refund policy. Many schools only offer a partial refund of tuition if a student is forced to withdraw in the first five weeks of classes for medical reasons and most schools don’t refund anything after five weeks. Make a list of students’ personal property such as electronics, computers and bikes and research flexible, low-deductible renters insurance policies to protect property. Learn more about student insurance options at www.GradGuard.com.

o Buy textbooks online. Substantial savings can be had by utilizing one of the many book-focused websites. Another advantage – the hefty tomes can be delivered right to the dorm – no lugging them back from the bookstore.

o Plan ahead for visits. Hotel rooms book up fast for parents’ weekend and flights are always jammed with kids heading home for Thanksgiving. Use online travel resources to bid on and book travel ahead of time, saving money – and a lot of headaches.

o Feed that starving student: arrange for regular deliveries of their favorite nutritional foods from an online grocery service – particularly important for those with special dietary needs.

About GradGuard™:
GradGuard is a service of Next Generation Insurance Group, LLC (NGI). Founded by veteran collegiate, affinity and insurance marketing executives, NGI has established the nation’s first comprehensive insurance and benefits solution specifically designed for the collegiate market. GradGuard.com aims to offer protection for college life. Its products include tuition refund insurance, renters insurance and student health insurance. For more information, visit www.gradguard.com/tuition or call 877-556-3984. Tuition refund insurance is underwritten by Markel Insurance Company, an “A” (Excellent) rated company according to industry watcher A.M. Best.

Filed under: DO UR HMWK, Risky Business by GradGuard Social tagging: college insurance > college refund insurance > college renters insurance > college students > GradGuard > GradGuard.com > graduate insurance > tuition insurance > tuition refund insurance
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