Dartmouth College provides some protection to students against losses due to personal and property damage. While circumstances vary with each individual case, included below are the general kinds of coverage which should be of greatest interest to students.
The loss of or damage to student property is not recoverable from the College. This includes clothing, books, stereo and computer equipment, and all student possessions in residence hall rooms or elsewhere. It also includes motor vehicles parked in any College lot, on or off campus. The exception to this is the student property stored in any of the controlled storage rooms in the basements of residence halls throughout the campus. Proven loss or damage to student property in these locations under the care and custody of the College is usually 80% recoverable, after adjustment for depreciation up to a maximum $1,000 per loss, if appropriate.
Students on the approved drivers list operating College-owned or leased vehicles are covered for liability by the College's vehicle insurance for injury to others and for property damage. Student drivers must qualify for approved driver status (See: Student Driver Policy, www.dartmouth.edu/~fom/services/parking/driver-safety/studentpolicy.html) in order to be eligible to drive vehicles on any College-sponsored trips. (See: Use of College Vehicles by Students.) The College does not provide insurance to students while driving their own cars, even if on College-sanctioned trips. Students, therefore, should have adequate insurance protection of their own. If any personally-owned vehicle is used for a recognized College-sponsored activity, an Approved Vehicle Authorization Form must be on file with the Office of Parking and Transportation Services (See: Section VII of the Student Driver Policy, www.dartmouth.edu/~fom/services/parking/driver-safety/studentpolicy.html).
