Sacramento State Enhances Student Value with Renters Insurance
California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) began offering renters insurance through GradGuard in 2015. Yolonda Blackshire, Assistant Director for Housing Business Operations at Sacramento State, recalls a costly sprinkler incident in a residence hall that underscored the value of coverage. A student who did not have renters insurance accidentally set off the sprinkler system that caused water to run down four floors.
Soon after, Sacramento State partnered with GradGuard to offer renters insurance through its integration with StarRez. GradGuard’s existing partnerships with several other California State University campuses and the success they were seeing drew them to the program.
“The process was super simple. We liked the product and the integration was very easy,” said Blackshire.
Now, renters insurance is required for Sacramento State on-campus housing students. University Housing Services made the decision to require renters insurance starting Fall 2024, and Blackshire partnered with GradGuard to get this setup in the housing application. The students must choose to purchase a GradGuard Renters Insurance Plan or indicate another renter’s insurance policy number on their housing application. The university makes it clear that it isn’t responsible for stolen or damaged student property, and the students are given a minimum personal liability and property coverage amount for their renters insurance.
The GradGuard Renters Insurance Program’s student-friendly features, such as a low deductible and no limits on electronics, have contributed to more students protecting themselves and their belongings through GradGuard.
“I love that the students are able to get renters insurance through our portal during the application process, rather than having to shop around. It makes the process a lot easier for them.” Blackshire said.
BOTTOM LINE
For higher ed administrators who are unsure about what a partnership with GradGuard might look like or how it benefits students, Blackshire says one of the biggest appeals about the program is that it’s continually improving.
“You’re always working to make sure that the integration is smooth, improving the product, making it more visible to students, and easier to use. I love the partner portal that is available to check to see who has renters insurance through GradGuard. In addition, when we identified areas that would help us in our insurance requirement process, you worked with us to find solutions and adjust the integration for us,” Blackshier said.
GradGuard Renters Insurance Program promotes financial literacy by helping schools disclose resident liability for damages they may cause & providing an active choice for residents to protect themselves.
