University Challenge - avoid loss, theft and damage!

With just days until anxious teens receive their long-awaited 'A' level results and secure their university places, research by esure home insurance reveals that a quarter of freshers interviewed (25%) haven't thought about taking out insurance cover to protect their possessions against loss, theft and damage.

esure's 'University Poll' reveals that the majority of students (80%) will be trekking off to university with items worth over £2500, but worryingly one in ten (10%) will be taking personal possessions totalling over £5000. Not surprisingly, a fifth (21%) of parents admit to being concerned about the combined cost of personal items that their children are taking to university with them.

Hi-tech gadgets have rocketed the value of the average student stash with the majority taking mobile phones, MP3 players and laptops with them to their new university pad. It would certainly take a chunk out of a student loan to replace the more desirable gizmos and gadgets that are likely to tempt opportunist thieves, if suitable insurance wasn't in place.

Top 10 items students will be taking to university with them:

1. Mobile phone (93%)
2. I-pod / MP3 / MP4 player (74%)
3. Laptop / computer (63%)
4. USB / memory stick (63%)
5. Jewellery (49%)
6. Television (47%)
7. Camera (45%)
8. DVD player / recorder (39%)
9. Designer clothes (38%)
10. Hi-fi system (34%)

The poll also reveals that nearly a third of students (28%) will be taking a games console and computer games with them and almost a fifth (18%) will be taking a musical instrument to uni - which often have a price tag in the hundreds of pounds.

Nikki Sellers, Head of Home Insurance at esure, said: "With all the nerves and excitement in the air of students getting their results and rushing to confirm their places at university, many aren't remembering to insure their belongings against loss, theft and damage which could cost them dear.

"All parents should make sure they have adequate contents insurance cover in place to protect their child's belongings - by checking whether it's included in their current policy or by taking out additional insurance to protect their son or daughter's prized possessions away from the family home."

esure's contents insurance cover for students:

esure's contents insurance cover includes contents cover for students up to the value of £5,000. Under a parent's policy, esure will provide cover for their child's contents whilst they are kept in a locked room within a college/university halls of residence, student accommodation or a boarding school.