The insurance industry has issued a warning against theft within universities, urging college students to ensure that they have protection in place for their possessions.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said around one in five students likely to be victims of theft during their time at university.
“Starting university can be both exciting and daunting,” said Mark Shepherd, ABI’s manager for general insurance.
“While there’s no insurance against overdoing it during Freshers’ Week, a policy covering your possessions can make a big difference if you’re the victim of crime,” he added.
According to the ABI, the average value of possessions that students take with them to university is £3,500.
“There’s a lot to plan for and look forward to as you get ready to start university, but it’s worth thinking about how you’d cope if you lost your phone or had your laptop stolen,” Shepherd said.
“Most of us have gadgets we don’t want to be without so it pays to plan security measures and get insurance in place before you move in to your student accommodation.”
The ABI is advising students to check if their existing home insurance policies can be extended to cover possessions at university.
Students who will live in residence halls should confirm if any insurance cover is already in place and the limits on the value of the possessions that could be insured.
Those moving into a privately-owned house or flat will need to take out separate contents cover, the ABI said.
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