She's heard about it, talked about it and knows she should get it, but advertising senior Pam Sorensen still isn't covered.

And she's not alone.

Sorensen is among more than 90 percent of students who are without renter's insurance, as estimated by MaryAnn Pierce, who supervises the Rental Housing Clinic, 541 E. Grand River Ave.

Following a fire that destroyed two apartments at 137 and 139 Stoddard Ave. on Friday, Pierce said insurance is important for all renters. The fire started when a couch on the porch of one residence caught fire and the flames engulfed the front of the two apartments.

Renter's insurance typically covers damage or theft of personal property and can include coverage of medical costs and additional living expenses, all things that are not covered by a landlord's insurance policy. A landlord's insurance usually only covers structural damage to the housing unit, said law student Joe Tirrell, who works at the housing clinic.

Sorensen isn't sure why she and her roommates don't have a policy, but cited the cost of being insured as a possible deterrent for students.

"It's too expensive, isn't it?" she said.

Actually, it's quite affordable, said Alan Higdon, office manager for Dan Jackson State Farm insurance agency in Haslett.

Students can be insured for an average of $12 to $13 per month, Higdon said, adding that belongings will be insured for at least $12,000. Split between roommates, the price of coverage is minimal.

Zoology senior Dan Gerjets said one reason students aren't insured could be because unlike car and health insurance, people aren't required to have it.

"With renter's insurance, you never really think about getting it," he said.

But not having renter's coverage doesn't mean students are completely without coverage, Pierce said.

Students should check with their parents' insurance companies, as many policies provide coverage for students living away from home, she said.

If a student is still not covered, he or she should take out a policy as soon as possible, Pierce said, adding that it should be a "replacement" rental insurance policy.

Replacement insurance, which usually costs an additional $20 on top of a regular policy, reimburses the policy holder for the purchase of new items, Pierce said. A bare renter's insurance policy will only provide funds for the fair market price of a student's belongings, she said.

Fair market price is the equivalent of a garage sale price, Pierce said.

"People don't think they have much until they actually have to replace."