Insurance is a topic that remains at the back of most students'minds. But after graduation, it becomes a concern for studentsdropped from their parents' insurance policies aftergraduating.
As December graduation nears, thousands of University of Memphisstudents are being put in just that situation.
Most full-time students stay on their parents' policies untilthey are 23 or 24 years old, but that status can depend on a numberof different things, said Debbie Ellison, State Farm insurancesales representative.
"Each company varies, and all situations happen on an individualbasis," she said. "A lot of it depends on whether or not thestudent is on the same income tax (as their parents)."
Once a graduate obtains a professional job, the availability ofhealth insurance relies on the employer. Ellison said someemployers pay for a person's entire family, while others cover justthe employee.
David Barsotti, a U of M English major, will turn 23 on March 14and will subsequently be dropped from his parents' healthinsurance. His main concern is dealing with an asthma condition andthe cost of inhalers, which can cost up to $70 each withoutinsurance.
"Hopefully, I can make it until I get a job," he said. "I canprobably cover the cost of inhalers. I just hope that nothingserious comes up."
Car insurance does not cause as many problems, since a student'sparents can cover the cost as long as the student keeps theparents' permanent address.
"A red flag does come up if you have a claim and the companyfinds out you don't live at your parents' home or if there is adifferent address on your driver's license," said Margie Crocker,office manager for an American National Insurance Companyoffice.
Crocker said many professional jobs offer health insurance butusually have a requirement of a certain number of days before anemployee can join the plan.
"My biggest concern with not having health insurance was beingnewly married and getting pregnant," said Leah Stanley, ajournalism major at The U of M.
Stanley started taking classes at The U of M in 1989 whileworking part time at Goldsmith's. However, she did not have fullhealth insurance until she started working full time in 1997 atMedshares Home Care as a communications supervisor.
One detail some students may not consider when buying carinsurance, Crocker said, is the difference in price based on ZIPcode.
"Someone's ZIP code is a big determinant in car insurance," shesaid. "It costs more to have a car in Midtown than in EastMemphis."
