Laptops, mobile phones and bicycles are among the possessions most likely to be stolen from students, according to insurer Aviva. The items can be taken from accommodation, cars, public transport, bars and restaurants as students begin university, the BBC reported.
Aviva said most student insurance claims result from theft, ahead of accidental damage. Steven Jackson, the insurer’s home product manager, said laptops and phones were attractive targets because they are valuable and portable, while also playing an important role in student life.
The insurer advised students to avoid leaving expensive or sentimental belongings in university accommodation when possible, keep valuables locked away and out of sight, and remain alert in cafés and libraries. It specifically cautioned against leaving a bag or laptop unattended to reserve a table or study space.
Students considering insurance should first check whether they already have cover. The Association of British Insurers said some university halls include insurance and that a parent’s policy might extend to a student. If existing cover is insufficient, students may consider contents insurance.
The ABI said contents policies can cover the cost of repairing or replacing possessions that are damaged, destroyed or stolen. Students should check the total amount insured and the maximum claim for an individual item, as well as whether belongings taken outside accommodation require additional cover.
Creating an inventory of clothes, electronics, furniture and other possessions can help students estimate replacement costs, the ABI said. Extra cover may be needed for an expensive bicycle or items carried outside the student’s accommodation. Students who drive should also tell their insurer where a car is kept; the ABI said it is illegal not to inform the insurer if a parent’s car is now mainly driven by the student.