The Ultimate Insurance Checklist for Texas State University Students and Parents

July 22, 2025

Insurance For Texas State Students & Parents

A large group of people are walking down a sidewalk.

Welcome, Bobcats! As you or your student prepares for an exciting year at Texas State University, it’s easy to get caught up in choosing classes and decorating the dorm. But before you dive into life on the Quad, let’s talk about something equally important: ensuring you’re properly insured.

At San Marcos Insurance Agency, we help students and their parents navigate this transition every year. Here’s our ultimate checklist to make sure you’re covered.

1. Renters Insurance: Your First Line of Defense

Whether you're in a dorm like Sterry Hall or an off-campus apartment on Mill Street, your personal belongings aren't covered by the university's or your landlord's insurance policy. Imagine the cost of replacing a laptop, smartphone, textbooks, and clothes after a fire or theft.

A renters insurance policy is essential because it covers:

Personal Property: Protects your valuables from theft, fire, water damage, and other covered events.

Personal Liability: This is crucial. If a guest is accidentally injured in your apartment, liability coverage can help with their medical bills, preventing a significant out-of-pocket expense.

Additional Living Expenses: If your apartment becomes uninhabitable due to a covered event, this helps pay for temporary housing.

Renters insurance is surprisingly affordable, often costing less than a few cups of coffee per month. It's one of the smartest investments a student can make.

2. Auto Insurance: Navigating the Options

Bringing a car to campus brings a lot of freedom, but also a lot of questions about insurance.

Staying on a Parent's Policy: If the student's primary residence is still their parents' home, they can often remain on the family policy. Be sure to notify your insurer that the car is now primarily located in San Marcos, as this can affect your rates.

Getting a Separate Policy: This might be necessary if the student owns the car outright or is considered an independent resident.

Good Student Discounts: Don't forget to ask about this! Many insurers offer significant discounts for maintaining a "B" average or higher.

The key is to talk to your agent. We can help you determine the most cost-effective solution while ensuring you meet all Texas liability requirements.

3. Health Insurance: Staying Healthy at School

Continuing health coverage is non-negotiable. Most students have two main options:

Stay on a Parent's Plan: Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), you can typically stay on a parent's health insurance plan until you turn 26. Check your plan's network to ensure there are in-network doctors and facilities in the San Marcos area.

University Health Plan: Texas State offers its own health insurance plan for students. This can be a great option, especially for those who no longer qualify for their parents' plan.

Review the options carefully to avoid any gaps in coverage.

Ready for the School Year?

Navigating insurance doesn't have to be complicated. As your local, independent agency, we're here to answer your questions and find the right coverage for your unique situation. We can compare options from multiple carriers to ensure you get the best value.

Contact San Marcos Insurance Agency today for a free, no-obligation quote and start the semester with peace of mind!

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Renters Insurance Won't Cover Flood: You Need a Flood Policy

June 30, 2026

Renters insurance is often something people buy once, file away, and stop thinking about altogether. And for many renters, that makes sense. It is usually affordable, landlords often require it, and the basic idea seems simple: if anything happens to your belongings, insurance helps pay to replace them. But there is one major exception you should know about before the next heavy storm. Renters Insurance Usually Does Not Cover Flood Damage Most renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage. That can be a surprise, especially because renters insurance may cover other kinds of water damage, such as damage from a burst pipe or certain sudden plumbing problems. The Texas Department of Insurance says renters policies commonly cover losses from fire, smoke, theft, vandalism, and certain types of water damage, but not those caused by floods . If water enters your home from the outside, because of rising water, overflowing rivers or creeks, flash flooding, or storm runoff, a regular renters policy usually will not pay to replace any of your stuff. Why This Matters in San Marcos Flooding is not an abstract risk in San Marcos. The city itself identifies the San Marcos River, the Blanco River, and Purgatory Creek as the city’s three primary sources of flooding, warning that it can happen in these areas with little to no warning. That means renters may not have much time to react once heavy rain starts, a creek rises, or a flash flood warning is issued. Floodwater can affect streets, apartments, homes, parking lots, and your belongings pretty quickly. Your Landlord’s Insurance Is Not There to Protect Your Stuff Some renters assume the landlord’s insurance will step in at claim time, but in most cases, that's not how it works. A landlord’s policy is generally there to protect the building, not the tenant’s personal belongings. TDI explains that a landlord’s insurance will not cover a renter’s personal items , which is why renters insurance exists in the first place. So if floodwater damages the apartment structure, flooring, walls, or major building systems, that may be the property owner’s issue. But the renter’s couch, bed, laptop, TV, clothes, books, and other belongings are usually the renter’s responsibility. Do Not Wait Until a Storm Is Coming Timing matters, because a flood insurance policy usually cannot be started immediately. Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. That means renters generally cannot wait until a storm is on the radar, a creek is rising, or a flash flood warning is issued and expect to buy coverage in time. For renters in San Marcos and across Central Texas, this is worth reviewing before storm season, before moving into a new apartment, or before renewing a lease. It is especially important for renters living near creeks, rivers, low-water crossings, ground-floor units, older drainage areas, or parts of town that have flooded before. Know What Your Policy Does and Does Not Cover A basic renters policy is valuable, protecting your stuff against theft, fire, smoke, vandalism, and the like. But flood is a different story entirely. So if you rent in San Marcos or anywhere in Central Texas, take a few minutes to review your renters policy with your agent and ask some direct questions, like: Does this cover flood damage? What kinds of water damage are included? Is separate flood coverage available? Those are better questions to ask before the storm hits, rather than after your furniture is sitting on the curb.