Essential student insurance guide: what to check before freshers' week

Tamzin Metcalfe, Home insurance expert at Go.Compare, warns that this oversight can be costly: "It’s so easy to get caught up in the hype of heading to uni - packing your life into bags, meeting your new flatmates, and getting ready for freshers’ week. But don't just assume your parents' home insurance covers your stuff while you're away. According to Defaqto data, 22% of contents insurance policies include no cover at all for student belongings. Uni is all about taking your first steps as an adult, and that means protecting your own space. Between laptops, smart speakers, and headphones, the value of your room adds up fast. Make sure your tech is protected so you can focus on enjoying the term."  

The coverage illusion: what parent policies cover 

One in four (26%) parents’ policies provide zero cover for theft of student possessions at university1. And even if they do, most policies have single-item limits between £500 and £1,500 - which could leave expensive student tech like high-end laptops and phones unprotected2. 

If you have belongings worth more than the single-item limit, you’ll need to make sure they’re listed separately on your policy to be fully covered3. Coverage might also depend on whether you have your student accommodation or family home recorded as your permanent residence. 

Average cost of student belongings 

The average student room contains thousands of pounds worth of belongings - from smart tech like laptops, phones and headphones to clothes and textbooks. Yet many students don’t have contents insurance in place at all.  

At a time when student budgets are already stretched thin, replacing just one item could add significant financial pressure. Specialist student contents insurance is often overlooked, but it could cost as little as £69 per year (prices vary depending on provider). This is a small price to pay when replacing a laptop could set students back well over £5002. 

The gadget gap: home vs away distinction  

Standard student contents policies cover items inside your accommodation - not when out and about on campus. A laptop stolen from the library, phone snatched from your pocket or bike taken from the car park won’t be protected under a basic policy. These instances would only be covered if you have personal possessions cover as an add on - something many students fail to realise.  

The locked door rule: when claims could be rejected 

Claims for theft can be rejected if there are no signs of forced entry. This means if your laptop gets stolen from your unlocked bedroom, your claim is likely to be rejected. While it sounds obvious, keeping your door locked isn’t as easy when you live in a busy shared house or in student halls.   

Freshers’ week: peak theft season 

Around 5% of students report burglaries in student accommodation, with freshers’ week a particularly vulnerable period4. As thousands of students arrive at their new homes for the first time, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement - and security awareness can take a back seat. 

Here are some simple steps to follow to protect your belongings: 

• Lock your bedroom door - Even if you're just popping down the hall to the kitchen 

• Keep ground-floor windows shut - Especially when leaving your room unattended or going to bed 

• Don't leave tech on display - Keep laptops, tablets, and car keys away from window ledges where passers-by can see them 

Three essential checks before starting university 

For first-years start their first term protected, Tamzin advises to: 

• Review your parents’ existing home insurance policy. It’s worth checking so you’re not doubling up on unnecessary cover. 

• Take out insurance before you leave for university. Having robust cover before you arrive means that you’re protected from day one. 

• Check single-item policy limits. Many students have expensive tech and gadgets that could need separate cover - don’t get caught out if the worst happens. 

Make starting university memorable - for the right reasons 

Tamzin concludes: Before heading off to university, make sure your belongings are properly covered - whether through your parents’ policy or a dedicated student policy. Make sure to check for hidden exclusions and list any high-value tech, like laptops or phones, that exceed standard single-item limits. Sorting your cover now means you can focus on enjoying university life without worrying about your stuff. A few minutes of planning today will save you time, money, and hassle down the line.” 

Compare contents insurance policies and use the Go.Compare contents calculator to estimate how much cover you need.