Students’ insurance in need of parental revision

Home insurance provider, Churchill, is urging parents to wise-up to the theft risks their children may face at university, as research shows one in ten students (11 per cent) was a victim of theft or burglary last year while living away from home.

The research, commissioned by Churchill, reveals that students are taking away with them an average £1600 worth of valuables including iPods, computers, games consoles and the latest mobile phones. However, more than one in ten suffered a theft last year, at a cost of £470 each.

The research identifies the valuables that students are most likely to take with them to university:

Top valuables that students take away from home

1. Jewellery and watches (57 per cent)
2. Television (53 per cent)
3. Laptop / computer (48 per cent)
4. Mobile phone (47 per cent)
5. DVDs and CDs (43 per cent)
6. Stereo (38 per cent)
7. DVD player (27 per cent)
8. Digital camera (24 per cent)
9. Games console (23 per cent)
10. iPod / MP3 (22 per cent)

Abi Clark, spokesperson for Churchill Home Insurance comments; “Insurance is unlikely to be the first thing on parents’ check lists as they prepare to send their child off to university. However, we urge parents to check their home contents policy to see if it covers their child’s possessions while they are away from the home.”

“One in ten students suffered a theft or a burglary while away at university last year, so it is important parents realise the level of security in student accommodation is not always as comprehensive as in their own home.”

Facts and tips from Churchill Home Insurance:

One third of students (35 per cent) don’t have a lock on the door to their room. Students should check locks upon arrival and ask the landlord if they can add deadbolts for extra security.

Only 12 per cent mark their belongings with an ultra-violet pen. Students should mark their property with their university name, student ID and term-time address.

Only 16 per cent keep their valuables away from the window. Students should make sure that any valuables are not visible from the outside.

34 per cent of students let their housemates have full access to their belongings. Students need to be vigilant and make sure valuables are locked away out of sight.

The Churchill Home Insurance policy provides £4000 cover as standard for contents that are lost or damaged when temporarily taken out of the family home, such as when children are away in full-time education. Items that are kept in student halls of residence or shared accommodation are covered for events such as fire and flood as well as theft by force and violence.

The research also reveals the top five university regions most affected by theft:

University regions most affected by theft

1. London (17 per cent)
2. South East (14 per cent)
3. South West (13 per cent)
4. Scotland (11 per cent)
5. North West (9 per cent)