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Frequently Asked Questions
Renters Insurance
You can read a sample GradGuard College Renters Insurance Policy by clicking here.
We are able to pause your current renters insurance policy for up to 6 months and have it resume at a later date! You do need to be on the monthly billing cycle to take advantage of this option.
Step 1: Log into your online account at account.gradguard.com
Step 2: Select the renters insurance policy you are wanting to Pause
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the policy page and select "Pause Policy"
Step 4: Select the date you wish for your policy to pause, and then select the date that you wish your policy to resume and click "Confirm"
Step 5: Be sure the information on the final pop-up is correct, then select "Confirm Pause." You will then receive an email the summarizes the pausing of your policy.
Step 6: You're done!
An agent is also able to help you pause your policy if you need assistance! You can reach one through:
- Chat
- Email (customerservice@gradguard.com)
- Phone (866-985-7598)
Here is a step by step guide to cancel your renters insurance policy online:
Step 1. Log in to your GradGuard account at account.gradguard.com
Step 2. From the home page, select the renters insurance policy that you wish to cancel.
Step 3. Scroll down to the bottom of your policy information page and click "Cancel Policy."
Step 4. Select the date that you wish the coverage to cancel. Remember, you can only cancel a policy for today's date or a date in the future. GradGuard does not honor backdated refunds and cancellations*.
Step 5. Select the reason you are canceling your policy from the drop-down menu and click "Confirm."
Step 6: Review the summary of cancellation information. Once you are sure everything is correct and you want to set your coverage to terminate, you MUST click "Confirm Cancel" to finalize the cancellation of your policy.
Step 7. Once your policy has been cancelled, you will receive an email confirmation summarizing the cancellation of your policy. If you do not receive this email, please contact us so we can be sure you receive it!
*Note that partial month refunds are not available. Because our policy covers worldwide personal property coverage, we do not honor backdated cancellations or refunds. Upon purchasing a policy, it is required that the purchaser agrees to terms and conditions and an understanding of the payment schedule. As GradGuard is a separate entity than the university, we are not notified when a student moves out of a residence or withdraws from the university. It is the responsibility of the insured or account holder to cancel a policy when coverage is no longer needed. Cancellation must be requested by the account holder or the insured.
Having trouble canceling online? Click here to submit a contact us form with the name of the student, date of birth, and university and an agent will assist you.
You can update your billing information at any time within your online account at account.gradguard.com
Just select your name in the top right and click "Account Settings."
Once you do so, select "billing" then choose if you need to edit the card information for your renters policy or your tuition plan and click "Edit."
That's it! Make sure to save your updated card and details. Note that you can only edit the billing information if you are the account holder of the policy that has been purchased.
Insured address: Yes
You may update your insured address. To make that change, log in to your online account at account.gradguard.com and select the renters policy that you wish to change. Then select the "edit" button at the top next to the insured name. You can then make edits to your address. Once you calculate the coverage at the bottom, it will let you know if there is a rate change, and then confirm your change.
Make sure you select at the top the date that you wish your new coverage to begin.
Note that if your address changes to a new state, a rewrite will happen to your policy and you will be issued a new policy and policy number.
If you have trouble making this change, please give us a call (866-985-7598), chat, or email us.
*Note: If you are currently living in on-campus housing and are moving to a different dorm/apartment that is also on-campus housing, your address does not need to be updated.
Add a roommate: Yes
You may add a roommate after you purchase a policy. We don't encourage students to share policies unless you have a minimum of $5,000 personal property and $25,000 liability per person. Note that when you add a roommate to your policy, the coverage limits are split between everyone listed.
To add a roommate, log in to your online account at account.gradguard.com and select the policy you wish to add a roommate to, then select the "Edit" button at the top next to your name.
You can then scroll down to the roommate's section and add up to 4 roommates to your renters policy for a total of 5 insureds including yourself as the named insured on the policy. You will need their first and last name along with their contact email address.
Once you have added them, make sure you calculate and save the changes at the bottom!
If you have trouble, please give us a call (866-985-7598), chat, or email us.
Add an interested party: Yes
You may add an interested party after you purchase a policy. We are able to add a landlord, parent, or property management company as one of these three things at any time!
You can do so by logging into your online account at account.gradguard.com and selecting the policy you wish to add an interested party to. You can then select the "Edit" function at the top next to the insured name. Scroll down to the bottom. add your interested party and calculate and save the changes.
Tip: If you need to add an address as an interested party, just enter it into the Last Name field and the name of the complex/landlord in the first name field. Make sure you also add a contact email address for them.
If you have trouble, just send us an inquiry, give us a call, chat with us, or send us an email so we can get them added for you.
Adding an interested party, party of interest, or additional interest means that the person or company you add is able to request details about your policy from GradGuard as well as be notified if you cancel your policy.
Changing Coverage Limits: Yes
You can change the amount of coverage you purchased at any time within your online account at account.gradguard.com
Once you get there, just select the policy you need to change the coverage limits for and select "Edit" at the top next to the insured name. You can then edit your property coverage, liability coverage, or deductible! Once you have selected your new coverages, calculate the changes down at the bottom of the page. This will then show you the change of the premium for the new coverage selected. Once you agree at the bottom to the new premium price, the policy will be edited to reflect that change. Make sure before you submit the change, that you select the date you want this change to take place.
You will receive an email following the change notifying you that an edit has been made to your policy.
When you make any kind of edit to your policy, you need to know that the soonest a change can take place is the next day and the furthest out is 90 days. We cannot backdate the start of coverage of any kind whether that be at a new address or updating your coverage limits.
Upon your initial enrollment, we take a payment the date that you purchase the policy, however, the coverage for the insurance will not begin until your selected start date.
If you have chosen the annual payment plan, then this is the only charge that GradGuard will take from you. Once again, it is taken on the date that you purchase the policy, not the date that the coverage begins. If you have selected to auto-renew the policy, we will remind you at least 30 days in advance that your policy is set to renew.
If you've selected the monthly payment option, then we take a monthly payment on the date you purchase the insurance, then your next payment will come out 15 days after the start date of your policy; that date will now be your recurring payment date when the monthly premium is automatically taken out of your account.
*For example, if you purchase a policy on June 2nd, but do not want the coverage to start until July 1st, then you will be charged your first months premium on June 2nd; this payment is for your first full month of coverage going from July 1st to August 1st. Your second payment that comes out 15 days after the start date of your policy which would be July 16th is for the next months worth of coverage going from August 1st to September 1st; so on and so forth.
Your policy documents are conveniently located in your online account. The two documents that you will find are:
GradGuard College Renters Certificate: This document serves as proof of insurance for an active or pending policy for the listed dates. If your landlord or property management company is looking for a copy of your policy or the declarations page, 9 times out of 10 this is still the best document to give them.
GradGuard Policy: Markel, the underwriting company for GradGuard, uploads the complete policy within 3-4 business days after your first payment. For a sample copy, please click here:
Where is the certificate or policy located within my online account?
On the top menu bar, please click on "policies". Once prompted, choose the policy you wish to get a certificate of. This will take you to the policy information. At the bottom of the page, you may click on the document.
How do I save this?
Once you've opened the policy or certificate in a new screen, you may right-click, choose "print," and then change the printer option to "save as PDF".
No, your policy is not automatically suspended when you move out of your residence for the summer. GradGuard is a separate entity than the university that the student who is covered attends so we are not notified when the student moves out of the residence. Thus, you need to notify us that you want the policy to be cancelled. You can cancel your policy anytime within your online account at account.gradguard.com , or if you are just moving out for the summer, you may be able to pause the coverage so that your monthly billing stops until you move back to school.
Our Renters Insurance policy will provide coverage for on and off-campus housing. Personal property coverage protects the student's belongings worldwide from theft, burglary, and malicious damage. The policies include liability coverage which would provide protection of the insured location due to fire, water damage, etc.
You can read a sample policy by clicking here.
You can take a look at our plans at GradGuard.com and go through the quote process to see what makes sense for you. If you would like to speak to an agent, give us a call at 866-985-7598.
Note: GradGuard does not cover accidental damage or the normal wear and tear of items.
Bike: Yes
Items such as bicycles, skateboards, and roller blades are all covered under this policy.
However, any motorized or electric vehicles are not covered. Any bike, scooter, or other modes of transportation powered by a motor or battery are not covered, nor are any modes of transportation that are designed for street use.
Be sure that you have documentation and proof that you owned the item before you submit a claim.
Laptop: Yes
Yes, items such as laptops, phones, head phones, speakers, and other electronics are covered under your renter's insurance policy.
Cellphone: Yes
Yes, your phone is covered in the case of an event such as theft or another covered peril. Please note that we do not cover accidental damage such as a cracked screen.
Since GradGuard comes with worldwide personal property coverage, your personal belongings such as clothes, laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc. are covered while you are studying abroad! However, since we are only able to attach a US-based address to a policy, the liability coverage does not extend outside of your U.S. based address.
If you purchase a GradGuard College Renters Insurance policy, your personal items are covered when in storage. However, any unintentional damage to the structure of the storage unit will not be covered. Please refer to the policy for specific details, limits, and exclusions.
Purchasing Renters Insurance is quick and easy. Please click here to begin a policy. Or you can take a look at our plans at GradGuard.com and go through the quote process to see what makes sense for you. If you would like to speak to an agent, give us a call, 866-985-7598.
Need more specifics:
School already started, is it too late to purchase Renters Insurance?
GradGuard College Renters Insurance is available for purchase at any point during the school year.
I am a parent, can I purchase a renters policy for my student?
Yes, you can! When you're enrolling, you can make yourself the account holder by selecting "someone else". The form will then ask you to tell us about yourself and your student. This will allow GradGuard to e-mail you important information regarding your student's policy.
I am not a student, am I eligible for GradGuard's Renters Insurance?
Anyone is welcome to purchase GradGuard College Renters Insurance. We have specific endorsements tailored to college students, such as low deductibles and worldwide personal property coverage.
However, in order to enroll at this time, you must select a university name. If you are not a student, we recommend selecting the university that is closest. Then, just be sure to select that you are living off-campus while going through the enrollment process.
How much is the stuff in your room worth? You may have more in your dorm or apartment than you think. Use our calculator to help estimate the total value of everything you have with you to help determine whether you can afford to replace your belongings or should consider a renters insurance policy. Click here to use a calculator to help determine your amount.
For your personal property coverage, this can include a laptop, smartphone, gaming system, television set, clothes, bicycle, etc.
For liability coverage, you will want to check with your residence to see if they have a specific required coverage limit.
Yes, you can! GradGuard offers renters insurance to students living both on-campus and off-campus! You will be able to select "off-campus" when you are going through the quote process at www.gradguard.com/renters. Then you will just proceed as normal and enter in your off-campus address as the insured address.
Your rental company or landlord does not need to be associated with the university for you to purchase a policy.
What is Liability Insurance?
Liability coverage protects you financially for unintentional damage to your residence or bodily injury when you are found legally liable, within your residence premises. This helps cover the cost of related damages and required legal defense.
Here are just a few examples when personal liability may help protect you:
- Your friend accidentally trips over your longboard that you left in the middle of your room and breaks an arm.
- You set off the sprinkler system in your residence hall, causing the floor beneath you to flood.
- You have a grease fire in the kitchen that causes damages to both your apartment and the adjoining neighbor(s).
As with all insurance, the coverage is subject to limits and exclusions.
Do I Need Liability Insurance?
In order to purchase GradGuard College Renters Insurance, liability coverage must be selected. We do not currently sell property-only policies. You may choose from the following amounts:
- $25,000
- $50,000
- $100,000
- $300,000
For specific rates, please click here to get a quote .
How Much Liability Coverage Do I Need?
If you are on campus, the suggested amount automatically appears. On www.gradguard.com you may increase or decrease this by toggling the button right or left. We encourage you to evaluate how much you could afford to pay in the event that one of the unforeseen circumstances listed above occurred. Consider any assets you may have as well.
If you are off-campus, many landlords and property management companies require a specific amount of liability in order to move in. Please check with your property manager to confirm the amount necessary to move in.
A deductible is the amount of money withheld from your claim reimbursement after a loss. For example, your two-year-old laptop is stolen and the actual cash value of that laptop is $500, but the cost to replace it is $800. GradGuard’s program will reimburse for the replacement cost of your laptop, less the deductible.
$800 (laptop) - $100 (deductible) = $700 claim payment
Deductibles keep the cost of insurance lower and are put in place to mitigate the financial exposure of the insurer in the event there are multiple claims on a given policy. Most renters insurance policies have a minimum deductible of either $250 or $500. The GradGuard College Renters Insurance policy has a deductible as low as $100*, which provides significant savings to our policyholders in the event of a claim.
You choose your set deductible at the time of purchase. A deductible is on a per claim basis rather than per item basis.
*Florida policies require a minimum deductible of $250.
To file a renters insurance claim, you will want to contact the underwriter on your policy, Markel, at 800-236-3113. This will be considered your "First Notice of Loss" and you will be contacted by a claims adjuster within 2-3 business days to review your claim.
Here are some things you will need:
- Be sure to have your policy number handy! This begins with RTH80-- and can be found in your online account.
- You need some kind of proof that you owned the item. This can be done by receipts, bank statements, photographs, or serial numbers!
- If this was a theft, you will need to obtain a police report by either local or campus police.
In the end, the typical turnaround is 1-2 weeks from the time you give your First Notice of Loss until a replacement has made its way into your hands.
You can also file your First Notice of Loss documentation within your online account at account.gradguard.com
GradGuard College Renters Insurance is underwritten by Markel American Insurance Company, Waukesha, WI. (MKL NYSE), a member of the 2.3 billion dollar Markel Corporation. Rated "A+" (Excellent) by A.M. Best, Markel has been in business for over 80 years.
N14 W23800 Stone Ridge Drive,
Waukesha, WI 53188.
*If you live in AK, CT, or RI, your policy may be underwritten by Assurant Specialty.
General
Of course! Give us a call at 866-985-7598 and we would be glad to assist.
Please visit the link below for information on GradGuard's response to COVID-19.
GradGuard's Tuition Protection Plan provides benefits to help safeguard the investment made in college/university. It can cover the cost of your tuition, academic fees, and housing if you have to completely withdraw for a reason such as covered Injury, illness, or mental health condition.
Does Tuition Insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Your plan specifically excludes coverage for losses resulting directly or indirectly from a pre-existing medical condition as defined by your plan. However, your plan includes a pre-existing medical condition waiver that waives this exclusion when ONE of the following are met:
A. The insured student, on the plan purchase date, did not have any symptoms of the pre-existing condition and was medically able to attend school for the covered term;
B. The insured student was covered by a similar plan issued by the insurance provider within the previous four months;
or
C. A loss is due to the death of the insured student.
If there is a chronic condition, you may want to have your child see their general practitioner and get it on their record that they were fit to attend school prior to classes beginning.
What is a pre-existing medical condition?
An illness or injury that the student was seeking or receiving treatment for or was actively exhibiting symptoms of within 60 days prior to the effective date of the plan. Please also note that you may still be covered for losses caused by reasons other than those related to a pre-existing medical condition. See the Certificate of Insurance/Plan for details.
How does coverage apply to chronic medical conditions?
For chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or severe anxiety, as long as there is no change in symptoms, treatment, or medication within 60 days prior to the plan’s effective date we would not consider the condition as pre-existing. Therefore, routine treatment or routine medication being sought for a controlled condition would not be deemed pre-existing unless there was a change in the condition within 60 days prior to the plan’s effective date.
Need more information? Let's break it down a bit more:
Click here to see a quote and find more information here.
View a sample tuition plan after starting your quote process.
1. Click here to start your quote process. Once you input your school and housing selection click 'continue'.
2. On the next page, you will see the coverages and pricing information, scroll to the bottom of the page and you’ll see the button to ‘select this plan’ and underneath, there is a link to ‘view sample policy’. Click the link and the sample policy page will populate on a new tab.
3. Select ‘plan details’ and you will be able to review sample plan.
What does tuition insurance cover?
Tuition insurance can reimburse you for up to 100 percent of tuition costs, as well as covered fees, room, and board. The Tuition Protection Plan also includes Student Life Assistance benefits.
What is included in non-refundable costs?
Non-refundable costs can include tuition, fees, room and board costs that are not refunded by the school.
Why should I purchase tuition insurance?
Just as you purchase insurance to protect your home and car, tuition insurance allows you to protect the investment you make in higher education for yourself or your student. Tuition insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable tuition, fees and room and board costs (up to the amount of your Plan limits) should your student have to withdraw from school for a covered reason.
Renters Insurance:
Your policy is able to be canceled at any time through your online account at account.gradguard.com. For steps on how to cancel online, please click here. Upon cancelation, a refund for the unused premium will be processed. It can take about 5-7 days to be back to the card on file.
If you would like assistance with canceling your policy, feel free to give us a call at 866-985-7598 and we'd be happy to assist with canceling your policy
Tuition Protection Plan:
Give us a call at 866-985-7598 and we'd be happy to assist with canceling your coverage.
If you don't remember your password, reset it with the "reset password" link. You will then be emailed a link to reset your password so you can log into your online account. Wait up to 5 minutes for the email to arrive at your inbox. If you do not receive a reset password email to the email address you have entered in, it could be due to the following:
- Check your spam folder, as the email could have gotten filtered into it.
- The email address you have entered is not one that we have on file for an account. Try other possible emails that could have been used within the enrollment such as a student school email or parent email address.
- If you have ever unsubscribed from an email that we have sent you, then that email address is put on a suppression list where our system does not send out emails to you anymore, even if you request them. This is a rare case but can happen.
We welcome any relevant guest posts for our blog. Our social media team will handle all questions and blog submissions. For efficiency purposes, we ask that you reach out to them directly for additional questions and/or blog submissions. Their email address is socialmedia@gradguard.com.
For your convenience, below are the requirements for blog posts:
We accept guest posts that are no more than 600 words in length with up to 2 outside links to credible sources but no links to our competitors, websites outside the US, advertisements, or sites where students can pay to have their work done for them, such as essay writing services. Note that if your post contains any sources like this, your article will be denied immediately. Our content needs to be geared towards US-based college students and stray away from any controversial topics. We also reserve the right to edit any and all content that you send to us to our liking.
Use of bullets, lists and short paragraphs is highly encouraged as it makes reading much easier. Please make a concerted effort to use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Due to time constraints, submissions which require excessive editing cannot be accepted.
Please feel free to write up an article according to the guidelines listed above and send it our way once it has been completed. Due to the number of guest-posts we receive, it will be 4-6 weeks from the time we receive your article until it can be published.
As we will be allowing you two outside links as well as promoting your post with an author bio and photo if desired, we ask that you do the same in return by @ and following us on Twitter and Facebook. We will do the same in return. Note that if your author bio contains any of the links above, they will be deleted.
Let our team know if you have any additional questions or concerns that you’d like to discuss at socialmedia@gradguard.com.