Article for August/September:

August is a time of mixed emotions for parents and kids everywhere-summer's coming to an end, and it's time to gear up for back to school. 

For some it means packing up and going to college, with a bunch of stuff and a car. For others, it may be going to high school, middle school, or elementary school. Any way, it means buying new things, some of which involve insurance. 

Elementary and middle school kids aren't affected much by insurance, as long as they behave themselves, and don't go around throwing rocks at the school windows or flattening the school bus tires.  For these situations, there may be some coverage under the liability part of your Homeowners' Policy for property damage, but it depends on how old the child is, what state you're living in, and other statutory requirements.

High school students may have some exposure, if they're driving a car, or carrying around a laptop computer, or a lot of sports or theatrical equipment. Most schools have rules in place that make the student or parents liable if school-owned equipment is lost, stolen or broken. If a student purchases their own equipment or computer, the coverage for the items is subject to the policy deductible, and is generally only covered if stolen, and a police report is filed.  Computers have a special limit and more coverage restrictions if they are not kept on the residence premises. Students using a car have school requirements to follow, and must be covered by their own automobile policy.

College students living away from home, but within the United States, have these same exposures and more. Most HMO policies have a 10% Contents Limit for Personal Property away from the Residence Premises. If they are living in an apartment off campus, they may be better off with a Tenants Contents Policy, which would also cover their liability.

Most Homeowners Policies will cover personal effects while they are anywhere in the world, with limitations. Auto Policies are only good in the US, its territories, and Canada. A person using their auto in any other part of the world would need to get their own policy there.

Health Insurance also has limitations for where a person will be covered for injury or health benefits. Check with the provider to see if the person traveling to another country will be covered there, and if so, for how long, and for what type of services. There are companies that will write travel health insurance to cover the gap.

As a parent, in the meantime, it used to be enough to remind them to study, do their homework, eat right, rest and clean their room. The dog ate the disk the homework was on, and where's my lunch money?

Relax, and good luck.