When we talk about insurance, the most common insured that comes to mind are workers and property. Did you know students can be insured, too?

While we are not saying that schools at any level are dangerous places requiring insurance, every parent has stories of their kids, toddlers to teenagers alike, getting hurt in one way or another in school, or expensive property like laptops and phones getting stolen, especially from dorms.

It is best for your peace of mind to ensure the health and safety of your loved ones at all times.

Here are five tips to help you navigate the world of student insurance that can help maximize the protection, peace of mind, and value you get from your policies.

Assess Plans and Projects for School

There are several types of plans. Here are a few:

• Health insurance: For the usual concerns regarding illnesses and injuries
• Renter insurance: For students who live outside of school dorms
• Auto insurance: For the lucky few students who have their own vehicle

From that list alone, you can already assess that you might not need all three. If the student lives with their parents or relatives, renters' insurance might not be necessary. Most certainly, a student who commutes will never need to insure a car.

But parents should sit down with their students to ask for their plans, or students can have a little talk with mom and/or dad about the same. A student who doesn’t engage in physically demanding activities in school, for example, might not need comprehensive injury provisions in their health insurance. Is your student studying abroad? Then you might want to take out travel insurance for them.

Check for Existing Coverage

Before you call an agent and ask them for a plan, you should check first if coverage already exists. For the working parents reading this, that would most likely come from your employer’s health insurance or your company’s health insurance (if you’re the proprietor), as most offer a provision to include a dependent.

If you have an existing plan paid out of your own pocket that doesn’t have options for dependents, you might want to first call your agent to assess how to add one. While it might not be as comprehensive as getting a separate plan, it might cost less and still cover most instances like common accidents and illnesses.

Some schools offer insurance coverage to their students, like the University of the Philippines and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. If their offerings are adequate for your needs, then you might not need to purchase a plan out of pocket, especially if your budget is tight.

Get Only the Coverage You Need

If you have the budget to get every kind of insurance plan plus add-ons like Acts of God coverage, then by all means do so. Especially in these challenging times, there is no such thing as too much protection.

Even on a tight budget, you can still get the peace of mind and security insurance plans provide. You need to be clear and honest with yourself about what exactly you think needs protecting.

For example, you can never go wrong ensuring medical treatment coverage. Whether in class, during extracurricular activities, or in the usual campus hijinks every student participates in, injuries happen. Plans that provide funding for adequate, appropriate, and immediate medical aid will always be a good investment.

Focusing on essential coverage can free up funds for more add-ons not included in basic plans, since you pay for fewer policies.

Consult Your Friends and Family

If you don’t have insurance, consider asking trusted friends and family who do when shopping for the right policy.

While insurance products within a type of coverage might seem the same, there are many factors that can influence your decision-making process. Some elements to watch for are ease of payments for your premiums, how easy it is to make claims, customer support, and what a company offers within the basic level of the plan you’re looking at.

Recommendations from trusted people help you choose the right insurance provider.

Start Early

This is more for the couples who are just starting out a family or planning to have children. The best time to ensure protection for your kids is as early as possible.

Insurance premiums are always best taken when the need for them isn’t immediate. A healthy person who gets health insurance before developing conditions will pay less than someone already at risk.

At the same time, certain insurance products are meant for known future events, like an education plan. Education these days is very expensive, even for public schools. If you and your spouse are planning on having kids, then the best time to prepare for their health and education in the future is now, while you’re planning.

We’ll Help Get the Student Protection You Need

Insurance is about making sure you and your loved ones are protected when unexpected but possible challenges arise. It’s about ensuring your students are safe, whatever happens, and that you have peace of mind even if you’re away from them.

Choosing the best coverage can seem daunting. Rest assured that our agents at Reliable Insurance Brokers will guide you through the selection process with our extensive list of providers and products, so you know you’re getting the student protection you want.

Contact Information for Inquiries and Support

If you have any questions or need assistance with your insurance, feel free to reach out to us:

• Call: +63 2 8631 9285 to 86
• Mobile: +63 917 138 5120
• Email: info@reliable-insurance.ph
• Messenger: m.me/reliable.insurancebrokersph 

Sources:

• IvyPanda (2025), Insurance Guide for College Students and Their Parents.
• Property Casualty 360 (2024, October 10), Essential Insurance Coverage Tips for College Students.
• University of the Philippines (2025), UP Student Insurance Policy.
• Glover Law Firm (2022, August 22), What Parents Should Know About Insurance for Their College Student.