Student Contents Insurance

University is often the first occasion for young people to live away from home. Many students therefore have little or no knowledge of what to expect from their independence. Three times as many students hold high-value contents like laptops and mobiles than they did ten years ago. Yet students still tend to live in relatively unsound properties, making them (and their student contents) easy targets for burglars.

According to recent studies, over 200,000 students do not obtain student contents insurance when moving to university - but many students fall victims to crime during their first year. Student contents theft accounts for seven in ten crimes, with one student burgled every 4 minutes.

Many parents of students assume that their children (and their contents) are insured under their own home insurance policy or the insurance policy of the student's institution; but this is often not the case.

Reducing student contents theft and damage

Purchasing a suitable student contents insurance policy is the best method of protection for students and their possessions, insuring against theft, muggings, fire, vandalism, storm and flood damage.

In addition to securing student contents insurance, there are steps students can take to minimise the risk of burglary:

• Mark all student contents of value. Many recovered student contents are never returned to the owner because the police are unsure who the owner is.
• Don't keep more cash or valuable student contents on the premises than is absolutely necessary and ensure they're concealed.
• Make sure dead locks are fitted to doors accessing student accommodation.
• Consider extra student contents insurance during holidays. Many insurers will also offer student contents insurance to cover student possessions kept outside the room.

What should student contents insurance cover?

Basic student contents insurance should cover all student possessions within your accommodation, including electronic and computer equipment, mobile phone, all clothing possessions and legal expenses. Student contents insurance can also be used to cover possessions outside of your student accommodation. This may include possessions such as a digital camera, jewellery, glasses, sports equipment and other valuable student possessions.