Back-to-School Theft, Driver Safety Tips from Allstate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) August 10, 2011 -- (Aug. 10, 2011) – Students heading back to school should guard their backpacks, athletic bags and instrument cases carefully. Allstate Insurance Company property claim specialists have identified the top five things most commonly stolen from high school and college students. The list includes high dollar, easy to grab items that are hard to recover.

• The top items stolen from students include:
• Cell phones, especially smartphones
• Laptops and other data processing devices including iPads
• MP3 players and accessories

• Digital cameras, including Flip video cameras
• Sports equipment, stolen from student vehicles
• Band instruments

“Allstate receives and pays on thousands of claims for theft of electronics, musical instruments and sporting equipment,” said John Heid, Southeast Region Spokesperson. “They are very attractive to potential thieves because they’re so readily available. Students often leave these items out in plain view, and that makes it easy for someone to walk off with an expensive new toy.”

To avoid becoming a target, Heid students should make sure they never leave their valuables unattended in a classroom, locker room or music hall.

As additional protection, for parents who’ve invested a lot of money into new gadgets, musical instruments or sporting equipment, Allstate recommends annual homeowners insurance reviews to ensure you are properly protected.
Most homeowner’s insurance policies provide limited coverage for personal possessions if they are stolen away from home. Allstate advises, for high-end items that can be appraised parents should have a policy review with their insurance agent to make sure they have the proper coverage.

For students heading off to college, insurance needs may vary, depending on whether they are moving into a dorm room or a private residence. If the student will be living on campus, the protection parents already have for their belongings through their homeowner policy will often extend to a child's belongings while they are in a dorm or campus residence.
However, the parent’s policy will not provide coverage if a child moves to an off-campus apartment or private residence. According to Allstate, for these students, renter’s insurance is a perfect solution. Renter’s insurance is relatively inexpensive, and a claim will not affect the homeowners insurance of the parent.

“When you consider the cost of replacing furniture, television, computers and other valuables, renters insurance is an amazing value,” said Heid. “In most cases, it works out to be about the same price as ordering out for pizza once a month.”

So, whether your student is heading to high school or moving away to college, Allstate advises parents to call their insurance agent and review their homeowner’s coverage to discuss limitations that may exist on their current policy.
For more information, contact your local Allstate agent.

About the Allstate Corporation

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®” slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

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