"GradGuard Came to the Rescue": Renters Insurance Helps Cover $190K in Damages from SFSU Sprinkler Incident

In January 2022, a student at San Francisco State University accidentally triggered a sprinkler by hanging a dress from it, causing water damage to nine residence hall units during winter break. The total loss reached $190,000.

Fortunately, SFSU has partnered with GradGuard to offer renters insurance since 2015. Thanks to the built-in liability coverage for campus residents, GradGuard covered $100,000 of the damages, which is the coverage limit. 

"The $100,000 from GradGuard significantly helped housing assume all of those costs," said Michael Beatty, SFSU Risk Manager. "GradGuard came to the rescue."

Although the affected students didn't have property coverage, the housing department covered their losses to avoid burdening the student responsible.

"This was the first claim we've had, and I was really impressed with how easily and professionally it was resolved," Beatty added. 

The claims scenario provided is for informational purposes only and is not a promise regarding any specific claim determination or coverage decision. The sole governing document determining coverage is the insurance policy that will be provided to students upon insurance purchase. Nothing in this document will supersede or amend the insurance policy received.

BOTTOM LINE

• Unintentional sprinkler discharges aren’t new to campus housing staff. When it happened at San Francisco State University, GradGuard made the cleanup faster, easier, and far less expensive for both students and the university.

  "It was fantastic, no complaints. Glad we have it,” Beatty 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.