If you have a student in college, it’s smart to get some type of property insurance to cover the laptops, MP3 players, digital cameras, musical instruments and other “necessities” that many kids have today.

There are two options when it comes to protecting your kid’s stuff: Use your homeowner’s policy or get a renter’s policy. To be covered under your homeowner’s insurance, your student’s primary residence must be the family home. But you’re likely to get limited coverage, especially on items such as computers, televisions and stereos, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Homeowner’s policies also usually carry high deductibles.

Renter’s insurance or student property insurance also may be the way to go. Try a company such as College Student Insurance, which offers a student personal property policy created specifically for renters at college. You also can ask your insurance company to tailor a policy for your student’s specific situation and belongings.

To choose a policy, be sure to get quotes from multiple vendors.