Moving into your first college apartment is a major milestone. You’ve got keys, roommates, a couch from Craigslist—and probably thousands of dollars in personal gear. What most Colorado students (and parents) don’t realize is this: once you leave campus housing, you’re no longer covered by Mom and Dad’s insurance.
That’s where renters insurance comes in. For as little as $12–$20 per month, renters insurance can cover your belongings, protect you from liability, and give everyone back home peace of mind. If you’re signing a lease for the first time this fall, here’s what to know before moving day.
What Renters Insurance Covers for College Students
Renters insurance is designed to protect people who lease—not own—their homes. Whether you’re in a shared apartment, a house off-campus, or even a basement unit near campus, renters insurance typically includes:
- Personal property coverage – Replaces items like laptops, phones, clothing, furniture, and kitchenware if they’re stolen, damaged, or destroyed by covered events (like fire or theft).
- Liability protection – Covers legal or medical expenses if you accidentally cause injury or property damage to others—like a kitchen fire that spreads or a guest injured in your apartment.
- Loss of use – Pays for temporary living expenses if your apartment becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss (such as fire or flood from a broken pipe).
For Colorado college students, this is especially useful. Most off-campus leases do not include insurance, and landlords are not responsible for damage to your personal property.
Why Colorado Students Need It—Even in Low-Crime Areas
It’s easy to assume, “Nothing’s going to happen.” But even in quieter college towns like Fort Collins, Boulder, or Colorado Springs, students report high rates of:
- Bike theft and car break-ins
- Laptop and electronics theft from shared spaces
- Accidental damage from kitchen fires or burst pipes
- Lost personal items during holiday travel or study abroad
In one recent case, a CU Boulder student had over $3,000 in electronics stolen from a second-story bedroom window—while still inside the apartment. With no renters insurance, everything had to be replaced out of pocket.
Renters insurance steps in where student budgets fall short, providing a safety net without a big price tag.
What to Ask Before Buying a Policy
Not all renters insurance policies are the same. Here are a few smart questions to ask your agent:
Does the policy include replacement cost or actual cash value?
Replacement cost reimburses the full cost of buying a new item, while actual cash value subtracts depreciation.
Is roommate property covered?
Some policies only cover named policyholders. Each roommate should have their own policy unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Is off-premises theft covered?
Great for students who carry laptops or bikes between home, class, and the library.
What’s the deductible?
A $500 or $1,000 deductible can reduce premiums, but may not be ideal for smaller claims.
Does the landlord require renters insurance?
Many off-campus leases in Colorado now require proof of insurance before move-in.
RMIA works with students and parents to explain these details in plain English—so there are no surprises when something goes missing.
Could This Happen to You (or Your Kid)?
Picture this: It’s week three of fall semester. You’ve finally settled into your off-campus apartment. There’s ramen in the pantry, a new laptop on your desk, and your bike chained up out front. You head out for a night class—and when you get back? The front door’s cracked open.
Laptop? Gone.
Backpack? Gone.
Your roommate’s cat? Still judging you.
Now imagine calling your landlord and hearing, “Sorry, that’s not our responsibility.” Oof.
These aren’t rare stories—they’re real ones. We’ve worked with students from CSU to CU who learned the hard way that landlords don’t cover personal property, and that renters insurance would’ve cost less than a pizza night each month.
So ask yourself—or your student—“What would we do if something suddenly disappeared?” If the answer is “panic,” we can help you replace that with peace of mind.
Parent Tip: Protect Your Student and Their Investments
If you’re a parent cosigning the lease or footing the bill for tuition and tech, renters insurance protects your investment. In just one dorm room or apartment bedroom, your student may have:
- A $1,000 laptop
- A $600 phone
- $300 in textbooks
- $500 in clothing
- $200 in bedding and small appliances
That adds up fast—and it’s often uncovered by your existing homeowners policy once your child moves off-campus.
Renters insurance gives parents peace of mind, especially if their student is living independently for the first time.
Real Coverage for Real Life in Colorado
Whether your student is attending CSU, CU, DU, or a local community college, life off-campus comes with risks. Renters insurance offers the kind of protection that makes smart sense for tight student budgets and even tighter living spaces.
At Rocky Mountain Insurance Advisors, we make it simple. No jargon. No long forms. Just affordable protection, built for Colorado students, and supported by local advisors who know the area—and the challenges—firsthand.
Make Move-In Day Safer and Smarter
A lease isn’t just a contract—it’s a responsibility. Make sure you or your student has the right protection before the unexpected happens. Call 303-663-9457 today to speak with a local advisor at Rocky Mountain Insurance Advisors. We’ll help you compare policies, walk you through the must-haves, and get you covered—before class is even in session.