What is Insurance?

Insurance is a contractual agreement. You pay an amount of money in return for a promise from an insurance company to pay you for a loss you sustain. The policy is the contract and defines the coverage; its language will detail the conditions and circumstances under which the policy holder will be financially compensated.

Why do I need it?

Your resources may be insufficient to meet your needs if you suffer an accidental loss. Insurance can help to keep you financially stable by protecting your assets or income. There are three basic types of loss and different types of insurance to protect against these losses.

  1. You could be injured or sick and need medical care, including hospitalization.
  2. Your property or personal possessions could be lost through fire, water damage, or some other calamity.
  3. You could accidentally hurt someone physically or damage their property and be financially responsible or legally liable for the costs of the injuries or their property loss.

What kind of insurance do I need?

HEALTH INSURANCE

The Affordable Care Act requires that all individuals be covered by health insurance. Many students are insured by their parents’ employee health benefits, which can provide coverage until you are 26 years of age or able to purchase your own coverage through an employer.   Other students purchase the coverage available at http://www.universityhealthplans.com/ regardless of coverage by their parents’ plans to ensure that coverage is available in the area of the College’s campus.  Detailed information regarding this coverage and how to satisfy the College’s requirements for coverage can be found under the “Insurance” section at http://healthcenter.lafayette.edu/health-forms/.

While the personal health insurance policies of intercollegiate student-athletes provide the primary coverage for athletic injuries, a secondary accident policy is provided by the college at no charge to the student-athlete.  For a more detailed explanation of the process for filing student-athlete injury claims, please visit https://www.goleopards.com/news/2018/1/10/insurance.aspx

PROPERTY INSURANCE

The College assumes no responsibility for loss of or damage to any student’s personal property while located in College-owned premises.  Students should verify that coverage is provided under their own family’s homeowner’s policy.  If this policy does not provide coverage, students should visit https://www.collegestudentinsurance.com/ or contact an insurance agent.

LIABILITY INSURANCE

While not required, the College recommends that students verify that their family’s liability insurance extends coverage for the student’s actions both on and off campus.  Please note that only Greek-letter or fraternal organizations recognized by the College provide liability insurance coverage to its officers and members.