It’s that time again. Kids are headed back to campus, and they bring with them a lot of expensive stuff. Most college students will be packing a laptop computer, cell phone, MP3 player, television and a bike of some sort. That’s why it’s not a bad idea to also pack an insurance policy.

Parents can choose to obtain coverage for a child under their existing homeowner policy if the child’s primary residence remains the family home. But any claims filed by the child will be made against the homeowner policy, and that could cause rates to increase. And, repeated claims could put the policy itself at risk.

* If adequate coverage or listing a child on the parents homeowner’s policy is a concern, the other option is to purchase renters insurance for the college-bound kid.

* The advantage here is that claims won’t affect the homeowners insurance. In addition, the policy can be tailored specifically for a student’s situation. A customized insurance policy can ensure that the student’s possessions are adequately covered.

Even with insurance, it’s better to prevent a theft than to collect on a claim. Iip.~ on how college students can help prevent thefts are posted online at the Insurance Information Institute Website.