Lafayette Insurance is a local independent insurance agency just across the Wabash from campus. Since 2011 we have helped Purdue students and their parents insure cars, apartments and belongings. We compare several insurance companies for you and explain your options in plain language, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
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Car insurance
Car insurance for Purdue students
If you are bringing a car to West Lafayette, the first question is whether to stay on your parents’ policy or get one of your own. Staying on a family policy is often the lower-cost option, but it is not always possible, for example when the car is titled in the student’s name. We will compare both ways and show you the difference.
What your insurance company needs to know
- Where the car is kept. If it will be parked in West Lafayette during the school year, your policy should list that address.
- Who drives it. Roommates or friends who regularly borrow the car may need to be listed on the policy.
- How much you drive. A car that mostly sits in a campus garage may rate differently than a daily commuter.
Discounts students often qualify for
- Good student discount for full-time students with strong grades, often a B average or better.
- Away-at-school discount with some companies when the student lives at school without a car, usually more than 100 miles from home.
- Multi-car and bundling discounts when the car stays on a family policy or is paired with renters insurance.
Learn more about car insurance in Lafayette and West Lafayette.
Renters insurance
Renters insurance for Purdue apartments and houses
Your landlord’s insurance covers the building, not your belongings and not your liability. A renters policy is usually inexpensive and protects the things you would have to replace after a fire, burst pipe or break-in, from laptops and textbooks to furniture and clothes.
Your belongings
Covers laptops, phones, bikes, clothing and furniture against fire, smoke, water from a burst pipe, theft and other covered losses, in your apartment and usually away from it too.
Your liability
Pays if you are responsible for injuring someone or damaging someone else’s property, such as a kitchen fire that spreads to a neighbor’s unit, and helps cover your legal defense.
A place to stay
If a covered loss makes your apartment unlivable, loss of use coverage helps pay for a hotel or temporary housing while repairs are made.
Ask about replacement cost coverage, which pays to replace your things with new ones instead of paying their depreciated value. Many apartment communities near campus require renters insurance with a minimum amount of liability coverage. Send us the requirement from your lease and we will set up your policy to match.
Residence halls and off-campus housing
Does your parents’ homeowners policy cover you at school?
Sometimes. Many homeowners policies extend some coverage to a full-time student’s belongings while they live at school, but it is often limited to a small percentage of the parents’ personal property coverage, commonly 10 percent, and age and student-status rules apply. Coverage may be different, or may not apply at all, once a student moves into an off-campus apartment or house.
A claim on your parents’ homeowners policy also means paying their deductible, which is often higher than a renters deductible, and the claim goes on their record. For most students, especially those living off campus, a separate renters policy is the simpler choice. We are happy to review your family’s policy with you before move-in.
Before move-in day
A quick insurance checklist for Purdue students
- Take photos or a short video of your belongings, and write down serial numbers for laptops and bikes.
- Check what your parents’ homeowners policy covers while you are at school.
- Get a renters insurance quote, and check your lease for required liability limits.
- Update your auto policy with the address where your car will be kept during the school year.
- Save your insurance company’s claims number and our number, 765-474-2300, in your phone.
- Riding a moped, motorcycle or motorized scooter? Renters insurance generally does not cover motor vehicles, so ask us about motorcycle and scooter coverage.
For parents
Protecting your student and your family
Buying a condo or house near campus
Some parents buy a condo or house for their student to live in. Depending on who lives there and whether roommates pay rent, it may need a condo policy or a landlord policy rather than a standard homeowners policy.
An umbrella policy
A young driver on your auto policy raises your liability risk. An umbrella policy adds an extra layer of liability protection over your home and auto coverage, often for a modest cost.
Life insurance
If you are paying for college, life insurance can help make sure tuition and your family’s other plans are still covered if something happens to you.
Graduate and international students
New to the U.S. or new to insurance?
If you are a graduate student or an international student at Purdue, buying car or renters insurance for the first time can be confusing. We explain how coverage works in plain language, help you understand what your lease requires, and compare companies to find a policy that fits your budget. Bring your driver’s license and any driving history you have, and we will go through your options together.
Lafayette Insurance Reviews
What our clients say
★★★★★
“I would recommend anyone looking into auto or home insurance to start here. I was not only able to reduce my auto insurance by half, but I saved just under $1000 annually on my auto and home insurance costs. The representative was responsive and worked for me to find my best option. A+ in my book!”
Lorean J.
· Google review
★★★★★
“Joe Jr. was great in helping me lower my auto insurance. He was able to search multiple insurance companies for the best value. I was able to save $275 for the year on my auto insurance.”
Robyn F.
· Google review
★★★★★
“I strongly recommend Lafayette Insurance. I am saving money on my auto insurance and received tremendous policy value with my home insurance. It was seamless to add an umbrella policy, too.”
Dan B.
· Google review
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google. Read more client reviews.
We’ve got answers
Purdue student insurance FAQs
Can I stay on my parents’ car insurance while I’m at Purdue?
Usually, yes, as long as you are still part of your parents’ household and the car is titled to them. The policy should list the address where the car is kept during the school year. If the car is titled in your name, you may need your own policy.
How much does renters insurance cost for a student?
Renters insurance is usually one of the least expensive policies you can buy. The price depends on how much coverage you choose, your deductible and where you live, and bundling it with car insurance can lower the cost of both.
Does my renters policy cover my roommate’s things?
No. A renters policy covers the people named on it and their household members. Each roommate should have their own policy.
Is my bike covered if it’s stolen on campus?
A regular bicycle is generally covered as personal property under a renters policy, after your deductible, even when it is stolen away from your apartment. E-bikes and motorized scooters may be excluded, so ask us.
Are you affiliated with Purdue University?
No. Lafayette Insurance is an independent insurance agency in Lafayette and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Purdue University. We simply serve a lot of Purdue students, parents, faculty and staff.
How do I get a quote?
Call or text 765-474-2300, or choose a quote form at the top of this page.
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