Consider having a water pipe burst at home while sitting in class. All day water pumps into the apartment causing damage to laptops, guitars, video game systems, clothes — all destroyed, not to mention the books sitting on the floor that have yet to be sold back.
   
“With the number of students bringing laptops and other expensive items to school, in addition to locking their doors, it is a great idea to have insurance as well,” said Nick Lander, assistant director of Housing and Dining Services. 
   
Renter’s insurance is easy to forget in the midst of the transition to college, but that will not replace a beloved iPod should it become damaged, destroyed or stolen. While it is true all landlords should have insurance, unless the landlord is also the student’s guardian, the insurance will not cover the renter’s belongings should something go wrong. 
   
“I have had renter’s insurance since I was an undergrad,” said Matt Johnson, graduate student in the marriage and family therapy program. “It’s important because if someone else burns the building down and you lose all your stuff then you are out of luck. Also, there is a lot of theft in Manhattan.”
   
Renter’s insurance is available through any major insurance company and the monthly payments are considerably less than other types of insurance.  Some students living in residence halls do have coverage in the umbrella of their guardians’ homeowners insurance, but policies will vary. Online quotes from Geico showed the average rate per month for a student in a one or two bedroom apartment is $15 - $25.  According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the majority of renter’s insurance policies fall into two types of coverage: personal property and liability. Most common is personal property coverage, which will pay to repair or replace personal belongings if they are damaged, destroyed, or stolen.  Liability insurance for a renter is much the same as it is for a car.  Liability insurance provides coverage against a claim or lawsuit resulting from bodily injury or property damage to someone else that was the result of an event in your apartment.
   
Renter’s insurance is easily transferred from the dorms to greek houses or an apartment in town.  Scott Jones, director of Greek Affairs, said that greek housing does not provide any insurance for their members and encourages students to obtain renter’s insurance just like those living in off-campus apartments.
   
Whether residing in the dorms, greek housing or off campus, the responsibility to insure belongings is on each student’s shoulders.  Of course the option should be discussed between students and guardians to make sure there is no insurance under other coverage, but don’t be caught off guard should the unexpected happen one day while sitting in class. 

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