First Apartment. First Job. First Time Adulting?
Back to school season is full of firsts. Especially for college students and recent graduates! First apartment. First job. First time doing your own laundry (good luck). But there’s one “first” that often gets overlooked—your first insurance policy.
Whether you’re heading off to Clemson, Columbia, Charleston or any of our other great college campuses, just starting a new job, or taking your first steps into the real world, it’s time to understand the basics of protecting yourself and your stuff. South Carolina Insurance Brokers (SCIB) has been helping first-timers make smart insurance choices for decades. We’re here to help you, too, and hopefully make you a lifelong member of the SCIB family!
Here’s your no-fuss, no-stress, first-time insurance checklist:
Renters Insurance: Don’t Move Without It
Why you need it: Your landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover your stuff. Renters insurance protects your clothes, electronics, furniture, and more if there’s a fire, theft, or other covered loss.
What it costs: Often less than $15/month.
Dorm Shortage = Off-Campus Living
South Carolina has seen a growing shortage of college dorm space in recent years. That means more students—especially freshmen—are moving into off-campus apartments, rentals, or shared houses sooner than expected
If your student can’t get a dorm room and is living off campus, their risk (and their insurance needs) change. Renters insurance becomes essential, since a landlord’s policy won’t cover personal belongings like laptops, clothes, or furniture. Even roommates should have their own policies—it’s affordable, and it makes sure everyone is covered individually.
This shortage also means competition for housing is fierce, so don’t wait until the last minute to figure out your coverage. Parents: check if your homeowners policy extends to your student’s dorm room, but be prepared to get them their own renters policy if they’re living off campus.
Bonus tip: If you’ll be living in a college dorm, check if you’re still covered under your parents’ homeowners policy. If not—or if you’re moving into an off-campus apartment or moving in with friends—it’s time for your own policy.
Electronics Coverage: Bring the Essentials, Insure the Expensive Stuff
Think about: Laptops, tablets, phones, headphones, gaming consoles.
Coverage tip: Some renters or homeowners policies extend protection to electronics even outside your home—just be sure to ask about coverage limits and deductibles. It’s also a good idea to document the electronics you have in your dorm room or apartment so it’s easy to report even if you’re in a stressful situation where you’ve experienced a loss.
Car Insurance: Location Matters When You’re On the Move
Think about: Laptops, tablets, phones, headphones, gaming consoles.
Coverage tip: Some renters or homeowners policies extend protection to electronics even outside your home—just be sure to ask about coverage limits and deductibles. It’s also a good idea to document the electronics you have in your dorm room or apartment so it’s easy to report even if you’re in a stressful situation where you’ve experienced a loss.
- Your new address could change your rate.
- You probably need to update your “garaging” address.
- You may need to register your car in a new state.
- Parking on campus may affect your coverage needs.
New job? Commuting to work may also shift what kind of policy makes the most sense.
Bike or E-Scooter? Protect It.
If you’re using a bike or electric scooter to get around campus or work, you might be surprised how often they’re targeted for theft.
Coverage tip: Some renters’ policies cover bicycles, but high-end models or e-scooters may need a special endorsement
Liability Coverage: Protect Yourself from the What-Ifs
It may sound boring, but liability insurance protects you financially if you accidentally cause damage or someone gets hurt and you’re held responsible.
It’s built into renters and auto policies, so you may already have some—but it never hurts to make sure it’s the right amount.
Tip: Make sure you feel comfortable with the minimum coverage. We find that most people don’t think the “minimum” actually offers enough protection for their needs, and it’s never a good idea to skimp.
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. At SCIB, we make insurance simple, personal, and understandable (unlike your SATs). We’ll walk you through what coverage makes sense for where you’re headed next—no pressure, just good advice. As a matter of fact, we’ve gathered our favorite Insurance 101 with proven advice and pro tips into a Graduate’s Guide to Insurance 30-minute chat. It’s the same spiel we give the kids in our family, and their friends, and their friends’ friends. If you’d like to schedule a no-pressure discussion with one of our insurance experts, just call, text or chat.
Download the Post Graduation Insurance Checklist
Bonus tip:
Bundle your auto and renters policies with SCIB to save time and money—and get friendly service and support from people who know how to make navigating a world of “firsts” easy.
