It’s Lost.
Have you ever lost anything really important before? My three daughters lost more Student ID’s, keys, driver’s licenses than any person I know (or at least I thought). Conduct a search on the student FAU page, and you will see daily posts for lost keys, wallets, cell phones, ID’s and so forth. And, while clearly my daughters are not the only ones who lost valuables, or had them stolen, it does happen.

One of my girlfriends bought their daughter The Tile, an investment I quickly made for my youngest daughter.
The Tile is a small lost and found device that you attach to the things you don’t want to lose, be it a computer, bike, keys, luggage, wallets- even pets (attach to their collar). The Tile is also a useful tool for students studying abroad. If your student becomes the subject of a pickpocket, the tile may help assist the local authorities in retrieving their stolen items.

Lost Phones
For lost phones, they have a Find My Phone or Device Manager to access, provided their phone is not turned off. Whether you have a student studying abroad or on campus, perhaps a gift of a tracking device will alleviate the frustration, anger, and tears should they lose something valuable. Of course, FAU does have a lost and found both at the FAU police department as well as the various location around campus (Rec Center, Student Union, etc). You may find more information here.

HaveUHeard offers real information like this to help you have the best college experience possible. We glean great tips from our own experience and the experience of real parents and students from the schools we present. Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource here. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

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You worry about your student being safe, then one more thing to worry about is their stuff. Right up there with the call from my college daughter that she lost her phone, keys, student ID, (fill in the blank), is the call you get when they tell you someone took their cell phone, watch, or whatever valuable item your child has had taken.

It has been through their tears and yelling about an item of theirs being taken, that I find myself, once again, asking if they had locked their door. You see, my daughters have lived in dorms, apartments, sorority houses, and off-campus houses and consistently, I have personally witnessed them forgetting to lock their room doors (not the front door, although they have done that on occasion). Usually, when I make a mere mention of that fact, I get a sassy response along the lines of “I’m just running down the hall to the bathroom,” or, even better, “Mom, no one would ever take my stuff.” It is exactly this naiveté that has taught them a painful lesson; not everyone is kind and good and honest.

In my daughter’s particular situation, it was not taken by their roommate, but a visitor to their living space. It is why I have always purchased renter’s insurance for them and most recently purchased a dorm vault. They did not have a dorm vault when my older daughter went to school. Oh, how I am sure she wished they did.

Put It In The Vault

My other daughter is going into her junior year so I am a little late to the party learning about Dorm Vault. It takes up very little space and can be attached either with a security cable or a bolt. It is designed specifically to comply with residence hall and apartment lease regulations which do not allow it to be mounted to the wall or bedposts. I was so impressed with the Dorm Vault that I reached out to the Founder/Owner to learn more about his company. He agreed to offer readers of our blog an exclusive 10% discount. Just use code HUH10OFF to receive this exclusive offer.

Equally as important is having renters insurance. If you read your student’s undergraduate housing agreement, Page 3, Section 16, the University is not liable for loss of or damage to Student’s personal property kept in Student’s assigned Space or on or about any of Department’s facilities. For dorms, your homeowner’s policy will most likely cover 10% of the total personal property coverage or up to $1,000, which means an item costing over $1,000 will not be fully covered.

For off-campus apartments, renters insurance may even be required, especially in the newer luxury apartments. What I like about having renter’s insurance is that it covers personal property and not just the liability insurance that may be required. You can check with your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if it covers your student or if they offer it but I did shop around, as well as check with some of my friends, and the renter’s insurance companies that many students are using were the following:

• National Student Services, Inc.
• Gallagher (aka College Student Insurance)
• Security First which is a Florida Renter’s Insurance company
• Nationwide 
• Allstate
• Progressive
• State Farm
• Geico
• GradGuard
• Stillwater Insurance

HaveUHeard offers real information like this to help you have the best college experience possible. We glean great tips from our own experience and the experience of real parents and students from the schools we present. Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

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