Going to college insurance tips for when living away from home

As returning college students prep to head back to campus and recent high school graduates leave home for the first time, it's the right time for undergrads and their families to review their insurance policies to make sure they have what they need for these exciting new chapters.

"Insurance isn't something you can just set and forget," said Brynna Knapp with AAA Public Affairs. "As your life changes, your insurance should change with you—and there's no more exciting a change than kicking off your adult life. Stay protected and save money by making sure your insurance keeps up."

Homeowners and renters insurance tips for students:

If you live in a dorm, most personal possessions will be covered under your parents' homeowners or renters insurance policies. Still, expensive items such as computers and other electronics might be subject to coverage limits under a standard homeowners policy. If the limits are too low, parents might want to consider purchasing a special personal property endorsement.

If you live off-campus, purchase renters insurance. Renters insurance is necessary to protect you and your belongings, and can protect you from liability in the event that someone accidentally gets injured on your property. It's highly affordable, to boot.

Leave valuables at home. While some valuable items, such as laptops, may be needed on campus, items such as expensive jewelry might be best left at home.

Create a "dorm inventory." Create a detailed inventory of all items you'll be taking with you, including photos and receipts. In the event that you need to file a claim, an up-to-date inventory will help make the process easier.

Safeguard your items from theft. Always lock your dorm room door and never leave belongings unattended on campus. According to the Insurance Information Institute, burglaries make up about 50 percent of all on-campus crimes, and they occur primarily at the library, dining hall, and other public places. Car coverage considerations at college:

Coverage may depend on whether you leave home or stay in the area. If you bring a car to campus and remain on your parents' policy, coverage likely still applies. If you attend an out-of-state school, make sure your insurance coverage follows you. If a student isn't taking a car to college, parents can save by taking them off their policies until they're driving again.

Check state minimum liability requirements. If you're headed out of state with the car, check with your insurance provider to ensure minimum requirements are met. Insurance providers know the requirements of each state they're licensed to do business.

Check with your insurance agent. To see what discounts you may qualify for and to ensure you have adequate coverage while away at school, get in touch with your insurance agent.

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 64 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA's mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.