As a parent, you are always worried about keeping your child safe. When they go off to college, the worries continue to mount – how can you keep them safe when they are so far away and living on their own? If they are taking a car with them to campus, the risks are even greater. Plan ahead and take action to make sure your college student and their vehicle are protected.
Check with your insurance advisor to see how your policy handles children away at school with a vehicle. Some carriers will want to know the zip code where the vehicle is being garaged. This can result in a change to your insurance premium.
Make sure all credits have been applied such as good student and driver’s training. Some carriers also offer discounts for teens that complete online driver safety programs or agree to have their driving monitored with a plug-in device.
Before you send your student to school with a vehicle, consider discussing the following items to help better manage your family’s risk exposure:
- What rules does the college have about students and vehicles? Some universities may not allow first year students to bring a car. If located in an urban area, colleges may significantly limit the number of vehicles that can be brought to school.
- What is the parking situation on campus? Where are the lots in relation to the dorms? What permits are required? What are the costs? If the lots are not conveniently located and the costs are high, perhaps sending a car is not worthwhile, especially if there is plenty public transportation available.
- Never keep valuables in the car. Always lock the car. This may seem like common sense, but break-ins happen everywhere.
- Discuss your expectations for who can drive the vehicle. The safest policy is to only allow your child to drive the car. But questions will come up, roommates and friends will ask to borrow the car. Make sure your child is aware of the risks and of your rules.
- Though your student probably doesn’t want to hear this again, it is critical to reinforce the importance of safe driving. No drinking or texting while driving. Careful with other forms of distracted driving as well.
- Most likely this will be a new city or town for your child and they will be unfamiliar with the surrounding area. They may not know which areas of town are less safe. Encourage them to spend a little time getting to know their new neighborhood.
- What are the cell phone rules while driving in their college’s city, as well as the states they drive through to get home? Have your student look these up before they head out to school.
- Especially if your child is coming from a warm climate and attending school in a region where winter brings ice and snow, it is important to prepare your student for winter driving. Additionally, if the car will be sitting outside during extreme cold, the student needs to start it every now and then to prevent later issues.
- When does your child’s driver’s license expire? Will it expire while they are away at school? If so, make sure they fit in a visit to the BMV to get it updated before leaving for school.
- Remind them of the importance of regular maintenance. Check oil level and tire pressure before leaving on a trip. Keep up with oil changes. Carry jumper cables in the car at all times. You may have roadside assistance as part of your auto policy, or you could join a group like AAA – make sure your child has the contact information.
- Discuss what to do if an accident does occur. What steps should they take? What information should they collect? Who should they notify?
Having a car on campus can be quite convenient for your student. But if you don’t take time to consider the implications, it may turn into more of a burden than a benefit.
