Rental Insurance

Protect Your Space, Protect Your Semester

Howard requires every student in University‑sponsored housing, on or off-campus, to hold at least $300,000 in renters‑liability coverage for the entire time they live in a University‑sponsored unit. No active policy, no keys. It’s quick, affordable, and the only way to safeguard your belongings, and your peace of mind.

Why You Need It

• Move‑in depends on proof of coverage.  No active policy = no room keys.
• Howard does not cover personal property.  Laptops, phones, clothes, instruments, textbooks, and other personal property items are not protected by the University.
• Campus life is unpredictable.  Theft, fire, smoke, burst pipes, sprinkler mishaps, even a friend’s accidental damage can upend a semester and a budget.

Keep It Active—No Exceptions

Do not cancel your policy. If coverage lapses at any point, you’ll incur a $25 per month non‑compliance fee that will be added to your BisonHub account. More importantly, you’ll have no protection for your belongings.

Your Compliance Checklist

1. Identify your housing type (on ‑ or off ‑ campus).
2. Secure a $300,000 liability policy via the correct path, which policy must reference the specific full address of your housing facility and state the coverage end date.
3. Connect your policy to The Guarantors.
4. Watch for your “Insurance Verified” email before move‑in.
5. Bring a hard copy if you live off campus.

Coverage Snapshot*

• Liability: $300,000 minimum (required)
• Personal Property: Optional
• Other Protections: Theft, fire, smoke, water damage, temporary housing—benefits vary by provider

*Exact protections vary by policy; read your terms carefully.

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions on Renters Insurance Compliance

What email should I use to create my Guarantors account?

Use only your Howard Bison email address when creating your Guarantors account. Using a personal email can interfere with account matching and compliance verification.
 

Do I have to buy insurance through Guarantors?

No. You may use any private renters-insurance policy that meets the University’s requirements. Guarantors is not itself the insurance requirement. It is the platform the University uses to manage insurance compliance verification. Students who do not want to search for a provider may also choose to purchase coverage through MSI on the Guarantors platform.
 

I already have my own insurance. Why do I still need Guarantors?

Because Guarantors is not the insurance company. It is the compliance verification service the University uses to confirm that students have the required coverage. Even if you already have your own policy, you must still complete the required compliance steps.
 

Whose name must be on the policy?

The policy must be in the student’s name. A policy in the name of a parent or guardian alone will not satisfy the requirement.
 

What if my parents have me covered under their homeowners insurance?

That can work only if the policy has been updated correctly and explicitly.

The policy must:

• list your school address, not your home address
• include the full street address and unit number
• show the school residence as an additional insured residence
• state explicitly that you are covered for $300,000 or more

This is not automatic. The policyholder must contact the insurance company and have the policy updated so that the coverage at your school address is clearly documented. Until that updated policy is submitted, registered, and you receive a confirmation of compliance, you are not covered.
 

What address should be listed on the policy?

Your policy must show your school housing address, not your permanent home address.

Be sure it includes:

• the correct street address
• the correct unit number

An incomplete or incorrect address may delay or prevent compliance approval.
 

Does my dorm address really matter?

Yes. Your school residence address must be correct. Do not list your home address. Use your actual campus or school housing address, including the full unit number.
 

What coverage amount is required?

Your documentation must explicitly show $300,000 or more in the required coverage. If that amount is not clearly shown, the policy may not be accepted.
 

When am I actually considered covered?

You are not considered compliant simply because you began an application or believe you have coverage.

You are compliant only when:

1. your policy meets the requirements,
2. the required documents have been submitted or linked properly, and
3. you have received confirmation of compliance.

Until then, you should assume you are not yet compliant.
 

What happens if I forget to upload proof?

Your move-in appointment will be blocked until the required documentation is received.
 

What happens if I am non-compliant and get charged?

If you are charged for non-compliance and Howard has already had to purchase a policy on your behalf, that charge cannot be refunded. You can, however, stop future charges by obtaining your own qualifying policy and completing the compliance process going forward.
 

If Howard has already purchased a policy for me, can I still get my own?

Yes. You may still obtain your own policy and complete the compliance process so that additional charges do not continue going forward.
 

Can I switch insurers during the year?

Yes. You may switch insurers mid-year, but there must be no gap in coverage between the old policy ending and the new policy beginning. You must also immediately upload the new documents so your compliance record stays current.
 

What is the easiest way to avoid problems?

Before submitting anything, double-check all of the following:

• use only your Bison email
• make sure the policy is in the student’s name
• use your school address, not your home address
• include the full street address and unit number
• make sure the policy clearly shows $300,000 or more in required coverage
• upload or link your documents promptly
• wait for confirmation of compliance

Ready? Get Covered Today.

Secure your policy, upload your proof, and start the semester worry‑free. 

Howard University assumes no financial responsibility for student property. Compliance with the renters‑insurance requirement is a binding condition of your Housing Agreement.