Sending a child off to college comes with a long list of things to think about. Tuition is paid, classes are scheduled, the dorm room is packed and somehow you’ve managed to fit an impossible amount of stuff into the car.
But if your son or daughter is taking a car to school, there’s one more conversation I’d encourage you to have as they leave.
After more than 30 years of helping people after automobile accidents, I’ve learned that knowing what to do before something happens can make a difficult situation much easier to handle.
So, if I were sending a young driver off to college, here are a few things I’d want them to know.
Know What to Do After an Accident
Most young drivers have never been in an accident, and that’s a good thing. But it also means they may have no idea what to do when one happens.
Make sure your student knows the basics: get to a safe location if possible, call the police, exchange information with the other driver, and take pictures of the vehicles, damage, license plates and surrounding area.
And remind them not to minimize an injury because they feel fine immediately after the crash. Some injuries don’t become apparent until later.
Put the Important Information in Their Phone
Your student probably isn’t going to remember an insurance policy number when they’re shaken up on the side of the road.
Make sure they have easy access to their auto insurance information, roadside assistance number and emergency contacts. It’s also a good idea to have a copy of the insurance information in the vehicle.
And yes, make sure your number is easy to find. No matter how independent our kids become, there are still times when calling Mom or Dad is the right first move.
Keep an Emergency Kit in the Car
A flashlight, phone charger, first-aid supplies, jumper cables, water and a few other basics can make a roadside emergency much easier to manage.
This becomes even more important for Michigan college students once winter arrives. An ice scraper, blanket, gloves and other cold-weather supplies should be added before the first snow—not after they’re stranded somewhere wishing they had them.
Talk About Who Drives Their Car
College students share a lot of things. Clothes. Food. Dorm-room furniture. Unfortunately, sometimes they also share cars.
Before your student hands the keys to a roommate or friend, make sure you both understand how your insurance policy handles another driver using the vehicle.
Insurance policies aren’t all the same, and this is one of those questions that’s much better to ask your insurance agent before there’s an accident.
Have the Distracted-Driving Conversation—Again
I know you’ve probably had this conversation a hundred times.
Have it one more time.
College students have plenty competing for their attention—friends, texts, music, navigation and everything else happening on their phones. None of it is worth taking their eyes off the road.
Finally, Make Sure Your Insurance Still Fits
As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, sending a student away to college can affect your family’s auto insurance. Where the car is kept, who regularly drives it and where your student attends school can all be reasons to have a conversation with your insurance agent.
Don’t assume the policy you’ve had for years is automatically the right policy for this new stage of life.
Most importantly, I hope your college student never needs any of this advice.
But that’s something I’ve learned after decades of practicing law: the best time to prepare for an accident is before one happens.
If you’re sending a student off to school and have questions about your family’s auto insurance coverage, I’m always happy to take a look at your policy and help you understand what you have. There’s no charge for the review and no obligation.
Sometimes a five-minute conversation today can prevent an unpleasant surprise later.
