Roommates stealing a TV Engraving your initials or a personal message on your electronics can make it more difficult for a thief to sell them, possibly deterring them from stealing it all together. (Photo: Shutterstock)
College students — and many young adults — often find themselves living with a roommate or two. While splitting rent and utilities can be great, it can also be tricky if that $20 bill on top of your dresser goes missing or the tablet you left on your desk mysteriously disappears. If you end up with a roommate with sticky fingers, that could put valuables in your room or car at risk of being stolen. Roommate theft can be hard to tackle if there isn't any clear-cut evidence or if your roommate is a friend. |

Make sure you have the right type & amount of insurance

If the worst does happen, insurance agents can make sure you have the right insurance. Depending on the circumstances, and the specifics of the policy, stolen stuff could be covered under you or your parents' homeowners' insurance or your own renters' insurance. Related: Do you have clients who need insurance for a child going away to college? Standard homeowners' and renters' policies provide insurance protection for personal belongings such as clothing, furniture and sports equipment in the event of theft, according to the Insurance Information Institute. However, these policies offer limited coverage for highly valuable items. If you have made purchases or received gifts that exceed policy limits, you may need to consider supplementing your policy with a floater or endorsement, a separate policy that provides additional insurance for your valuables and covers them for perils not included in your policy, such as accidental loss. Your insurance agent can help you select the best option. |

Secure your stuff

Erie Insurance offers these eight tips to help you secure your stuff and prevent roommate theft:

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Jayleen R. Heft

Jayleen Heft is the digital content editor for PropertyCasualty360.com. Contact her at [email protected].

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