RD Royal Dutch Petroleum Company

HOUSTON, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Last October, 1.8 million high school graduates enrolled in college. As this year's graduating class prepares for new horizons, it is important for parents to prepare their college-bound children to survive and thrive in their new environment. While laptop computers, mini refrigerators and dorm decor are on the top of many back-to-school shopping lists, a number of essential, money-saving items often are overlooked, such as renter's insurance and credit cards. Shell offers the following tips to help parents who may need a refresher course in College Preparation 101: -- Ensure Safety and Security: As college freshmen adjust to new friends, shared spaces and cafeteria food, one thing remains the same -- there's no place like home. In an effort to battle the homesick blues, many first-year college students head home frequently to get fresh laundry, home cooking and a little TLC. Parents can breathe easier by ensuring their students are covered by an automobile roadside assistance program, like Master Road Assist(R) offered free to Shell MasterCard cardholders. Some auto insurance policies and motor club programs also offer 24-hour assistance as a benefit of membership. Dad or Mom may not be close enough to fix a flat tire, but knowing that help is a phone call away can alleviate unnecessary anxiety. -- Drive Home Savings: Whether parents are sending their kids to a college across town or across the country, many freshmen will be hitting the road to higher education. To manage car-related costs and help save money on gasoline, parents should consider getting a credit card that offers rebates on fuel purchases, and then add their student to the account. For example, the Shell MasterCard from Citi Cards offers cardholders 5 percent rebates on Shell gasoline -- more than 11 cents a gallon at today's gas prices* -- and 1 percent rebates on all other purchases. -- Protect Personal Property: Some college dorm rooms or apartments may resemble a local electronics store with the number of CDs, MP3 players, stereo systems, laptop computers and cell phones stored inside. Should a theft or fire occur, the cost to replace these items could be hefty. Renter's insurance is a simple, cost-effective solution that not only protects a student's investments, but also offers invaluable peace of mind. According to an independent study, the average cost for renter's insurance is $12 a month and usually comes with lower deductibles than a regular homeowner's insurance policy. However, only one third of the 81 million renters in the United States carry renter's insurance. -- Keep Covered For Colds: Living in a college dorm with other residents coming and going at all hours may be good for entertainment but bad for health. Unfortunately, many college freshmen between the ages of 18 and 23 may not be covered under their parents' health insurance policy once they leave home. Parents should review their policies and determine if an independent individual policy or a college's student health package is needed. With the cost of tuition continuing to escalate, being covered for unexpected medical bills makes a lot of sense. Shell Oil Products US, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company, is a leader in the refining, transportation and marketing of fuels, and has a network of nearly 6,600 branded gasoline stations in the Western United States. Shell Oil Company is a 50 percent owner of Motiva Enterprises LLC, along with Saudi Refining, Inc., which refines and markets branded products through 9,400 stations in the Eastern and Southern United States. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies (NYSE:RDNYSE:SC). For more information, please visit http://www.shell.com/ . * Based on the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline for the week of August 1, 2005, as published by the Energy Information Administration. DATASOURCE: Shell Oil Products US CONTACT: Allison Holliday of BlueCurrent Public Relations, +1-214-303-6009, for Shell Oil Products US; or Anne Peebles of Shell Oil Products US, +1-281-874-8290 or +1-713-241-1584 Web site: http://www.shell.com/

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