Start with what the student is bringing.
List the laptop, phone, furniture, clothing, bicycle, kitchen items, and anything shared. Record who owns each item rather than counting a roommate’s belongings as your own. The inventory builder lets you enter quantities and an estimated replacement amount. That total is a conversation aid, not a recommended policy limit or a guarantee of reimbursement. Keep photos and receipts somewhere the student can reach if a device is lost.
Read the insurance paragraph in the lease.
Find the lease’s insurance requirement, any stated liability limit, and the method for showing evidence. If the landlord offers a fee or a program, ask what it actually protects and who is insured. Send that wording to Guy instead of assuming every lease-related charge is a renters policy. Note the move-in date and who needs the certificate or evidence of insurance.
Ask about a disrupted semester.
Belongings are only one part of the conversation. Ask what happens if an insured event makes the rental unusable and whether additional living expenses are included, subject to what limits. Separately discuss flood contents protection when relevant; do not assume a renters policy includes it. Bring questions about the apartment’s floor, storage unit, bicycle, and items used away from home.
Make the final review easy to revisit.
Keep the proposal, declarations, claim contact, and answers together. Have the student confirm the address and their name are correct. Before renewal, update the inventory and tell Guy about a move, a roommate change, or a vehicle coming to campus. A short, current household description is more useful than relying on last year’s assumptions.
| Part of the conversation | What to bring or ask |
|---|---|
| Landlord’s building policy | The building owner’s protection |
| Parents’ homeowners policy | Ask about dependent and off-premises terms |
| Student renters policy | Review named insured, belongings, liability, and loss of use |
MAKE YOUR REVIEW MORE USEFUL
Your checklist for Guy
- Lease and move-in date
- Student’s actual address and room/unit
- Belongings inventory
- Any existing family policy
- Roommate arrangement
- Questions about flood or high-value items
ILLUSTRATIVE CONVERSATION · NOT A COVERAGE DECISION
Put it into a real housing question.
A student moves from a family home into a shared apartment with a laptop and a bicycle. Gather the lease and those items’ values, then ask Guy to compare any family-policy extension with a separate renters proposal.
Discuss my situation with Guy
