Moving Tips for Students – Do You Have Tenant Insurance? You Should!
Moving season is upon us, and not only for homeowners, but also for the thousands of students across the country that are about to write exams, will be moving out of residence, are finding a place to live off campus or are graduating and will be starting their career.
There is a lot to think about and factor into your decision when it comes to moving, and there are a unique set of considerations for students to think about. While you are busy looking for housemates for next year and trying to lock in a lease or are looking for someone to sublet for the summer, in addition to packing and getting ready to move, there is a tendency to rush decisions – something you should avoid, if possible, when moving and looking for a new place to live.
Because we want to help young Canadian students make the right decision when exploring moving options, and because we want to talk about the importance of tenant insurance (Yes, this is a deliberate attempt to get you to fill out a quote for tenant insurance – click here to get a quote!), we have put together some must read moving tips that all students need to read.
Check them out!
- Don’t leave it until the last minute: This goes for packing, preparing for moving day and especially when you are looking for places to rent for the year. Give yourself enough time to compare your options and make a good decision.
- Shop around: You don’t have to go with the first place that is available. Get your roommates together (if you are living with roommates) and spend a day looking at places that meet your needs, discuss, and then choose a place. Remember, other students will be looking as well so you don’t want to take too long before making your decision.
- Have someone else review your lease before you sign it: Before you sign anything, at a bare minimum have your parents or a trusted person review your lease. Some of the technical jargon in the rental agreement is important and you want to make sure that you know what you are getting into before you sign.
- Consider subletting if you are planning on going home for the summer: Since most leases are 1 year in length, if you are not planning on staying around for the summer, consider subletting to recover some of the cost for your rent.
- Get tenant insurance: Tenant insurance is more important than most students realize. Many assume that they are covered if their landlord has insurance, but this is not the case. Your landlord’s insurance policy does not cover your belongings or your liability should you be at fault for damage. The good news is that your parent home insurance may cover you when you are away at school. If not, tenant insurance is very affordable and is definitely worth the investment. To save money, don’t forget to get a quote!
Are you a student? Do you have tenant insurance? Are your children away for school? Do they have tenant insurance?