If you're a student living in halls of residence, privately-rented or shared accommodation, make sure your valuable possessions are insured for the time you’re away from home.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming you’ll be covered on your parents’ home insurance policy as this isn’t always the case. Although, they'll probably be able to extend their contents cover to include your possessions while you're away so it's worth investigating and chatting to their current provider. Besides, you might need extra cover for those expensive books and computer equipment, musical instruments or bikes. With some policies, you’ll also get accidental damage cover, access to a student helpline, legal expenses cover and even payment of tuition fees and rental protection if you have to leave your course because of accident or ill-health.
Before you settle in your new home and start sampling the delights of university life, get the boring stuff out of the way and make sure you’re covered.
Student Contents Insurance
Living away from home for the first time can be daunting, so the last thing you need to worry about is insurance. However, most student policies are tailored for communal living and can cover things you might not have thought about. Most policies offer protection of your possessions at your parents' home, whilst in transit to and from your accommodation at the start and end of each term. The policy might also cover your items id they're kept in secure storage on campus and any time that are you away from your term time address at your permanent home address or any other building where you are temporarily residing.
Standard policies generally don’t provide overseas cover so you may need to take out additional protection if you are studying abroad – always check with or notify your insurer if you’re planning on any foreign study.
Do check the period of cover as some policies only provide cover during term time – if you plan to stay in your digs during the holiday period, make sure your policy allows for this.
Shared Contents Insurance
Communal halls of residence and shared houses can be busy places and chances are you won’t be familiar with all the people who visit. Look for policies that offer walk-in theft cover to protect you from opportunists that might just spot an open door or window or a nice shiny new laptop on display. Consider portable items too, such as laptops, cameras, smart phones and music players as well as sports equipment such as bicycles or golf clubs and ensure these are fully covered.
Read our home insurance articles and guides for more great topics or get a home insurance quote.