Yes, every resident at The Heights College Station needs renter’s insurance. You can carry your own policy or enroll in Cardinal Protect, our liability waiver program, for $15.95 a month. A personal policy in Texas typically costs about $16 to $25 a month and, unlike a liability waiver, can also pay to replace your laptop, clothes and bike if they’re stolen or damaged.
For a lot of Texas A&M students, an apartment at The Heights is the first lease they’ve ever signed, and insurance is one of the line items that raises the most questions at our leasing desk.
This guide answers each of those questions, explains what a policy costs in Texas and walks you through your options at The Heights.
In this article:
- What is renter’s insurance?
- Do you need renter’s insurance at The Heights?
- What does renter’s insurance cover?
- How much does renter’s insurance cost in Texas?
- How do you get renter’s insurance at The Heights?
What is renter’s insurance?
Renter’s insurance is a policy that protects you, not the building, while you rent. Most policies combine three types of coverage:
- Personal property pays to repair or replace your belongings after a covered event like fire, theft or a burst pipe.
- Personal liability helps pay medical bills or legal costs if you’re responsible for someone’s injury or for damaging someone else’s property.
- Additional living expenses, also called loss of use, helps cover a hotel, meals and other extra costs if your apartment becomes unlivable after a covered event.
Policies vary, so always read what yours actually covers.
Do you need renter’s insurance at The Heights?
Yes. Texas law doesn’t require renter’s insurance, but a landlord can require it in your lease, and The Heights does. Most student communities in College Station have the same rule.
You can meet the requirement in one of two ways:
- Provide proof of your own policy that meets the requirements in your lease.
- Enroll in Cardinal Protect for $15.95 a month.
If we don’t receive proof of qualifying insurance, you’ll be enrolled in Cardinal Protect automatically.
What’s the difference between renter’s insurance and Cardinal Protect?
This is the part most students miss. A liability waiver program like Cardinal Protect satisfies your lease requirement, but it isn’t the same as a personal renter’s insurance policy.
| Your own renter’s insurance | Cardinal Protect | |
|---|---|---|
| Meets The Heights’ lease requirement | Yes, if it meets the lease minimums | Yes |
| Follows you if you move | Yes | No |
| Cost | About $16 to $25 a month in Texas | $15.95 a month |
What does renter’s insurance cover, and what doesn’t it?
A standard policy usually covers theft, fire, smoke, wind and hail damage and many kinds of water damage from plumbing. Coverage for your belongings often applies away from home too, like a bike stolen on campus or a laptop taken from your car.
Why it matters in College Station
Brazos County sees severe spring storms, hail and occasional flooding. Those weather risks are part of why Texas renters pay a little more than the national average.
How much does renter’s insurance cost in Texas?
Most Texas renters pay about $16 to $25 a month. NerdWallet puts the statewide average at $187 a year, or about $16 a month, while other rate surveys land closer to $21 or $25 a month.
Your price depends on:
- How much personal property coverage you choose
- Your liability limit
- Your deductible
- Your claims and credit history
Raising your deductible or bundling with a parent’s auto policy can lower your rate.
How do you get renter’s insurance at The Heights?
You have three main options.
- Your parents’ homeowners policy. Some homeowners policies extend to a student living away at school, usually up to about 10% of the policy’s personal property limit. Have your family check with their insurer, and confirm the policy also meets our liability requirement.
- Your own policy. Many insurers sell renter’s policies online in a few minutes. You choose the coverage amounts, and the policy goes with you when you move.
- Cardinal Protect. If you don’t provide proof of insurance, you’re enrolled automatically for $15.95 a month.
Frequently asked questions
Can my roommates and I share one policy? Most insurers write policies per person for unrelated roommates. Since each resident at The Heights signs an individual lease, plan on your own policy.
Does renter’s insurance cover my bike or laptop on campus? Usually, yes. Personal property coverage typically applies off premises, sometimes at a lower limit. Check your policy.
If you came here wondering whether renter’s insurance is worth it, here’s the short version: The Heights requires coverage, and a personal policy that costs about the same as Cardinal Protect also protects your belongings.
Your next step is to get a quote or ask your family about their homeowners policy, then send us proof before move-in. If you have questions about insurance or anything else about living at The Heights, contact our leasing team.
Information current as of 10/2026. This article is general information, not insurance advice. Check any policy’s terms before you buy.
Bailey Harris
Bailey Harris is the Leasing & Marketing Manager at The Heights. Born and raised in College Station, Bailey brings firsthand knowledge of the local community and Texas A&M area to help students find a place that feels like home. Outside of work, she enjoys watching a good show, soaking up the sun and trying fun new drinks around town.
Published On: October 23, 2026
Last Updated On: October 23, 2026