The survey, compiled by Endsleigh and the National Union of Students, showed that today’s student takes £2000 worth of possessions with them to university and students regularly carry £337 worth of gadgets around campus; but claims statistics from Endsleigh show that students are 60% more likely to make a claim than any other person.
Although 1 in 5 students have their computer stolen, lost or damaged at some point whilst at university, 58% did not ‘back up’ their university work.
Similarly, 1 in 5 students never back up their personal data, meaning if their computers or smartphones are stolen, coursework, photos, music files, films and games can be lost for good. Incredibly, 19% of the 2,072 students surveyed did not even know whether they were covered by any insurance policy.
Sara Newell, Manager Student Markets at Endsleigh spokesperson, said: “We would encourage students not to rely on being covered by their parents’ policy. Often parents’ policies will not insure you for loss on the move, or in halls and shared houses unless you have a lock on your bedroom door and entry is forced. Claims made by a student would affect their parents no claims discount and the policy excess is also likely to be much higher on a parent policy.
“Arranging insurance specifically tailored to your lifestyle takes just a few minutes, but the benefits last an awful lot longer, and help students stay connected to friends, family and coursework.”
• Based on an average cost gadget, the excess on a parent’s home policy can cost between £100 - £150, whereas Endsleigh’s student policy contents excess for average priced gadgets ** ranges between £25 and £75. Even with the cost of the policy and the excess the total sum is often lower than the parent’s excess.
• An average home insurance policy will receive a no claims discount of 25%, which will be lost if a student makes a claim on the policy.
• A parent’s policy often only provides cover for possessions in a locked room, where evidence of a violent entry needs to be demonstrated for the claim to be settled.
• Some parental policies include an ‘acceptability criteria’, which means that if this is the third claim on the policy in a set time period, the insurer has the right to refuse renewal of the policy. This can mean that a parent’s ability to get future insurance may be damaged by the student’s claim history.
• In addition, most home contents insurance policies only provide cover for one permanent address, which could make a student’s claim at university null and void. Other gadgets students take to university include:
• iPods (60%)
• Other MP3 player (10%)
• iPhone, Android or Blackberry phone (78%)
• Digital cameras (58%)
• Hair straighteners (49%)
• Games consoles (16%)
• Kindles (9%)
• iPad or other tablet PC (9%)
Endsleigh’s top tips to help students keep their possessions safe:
1. Ensure that you check the security of your accommodation when you arrive and raise any safety concerns with the landlord/halls of residence immediately
2. Always make sure the doors and windows to your room/flat are locked when you leave
3. Make sure valuables are not left in full view if leaving them unattended any length of time
4. Try not to draw attention to valuable possessions when walking around the town or campus
5. Ensure your gadgets and your items in your room are protected with insurance specifically tailored to student’s needs
For more information, head to www.studenttips.co.uk