Kids Off To Uni? Check if Those Expensive Gadgets Are Covered

Some timely advice from Saga Insurance here as smartphone and laptop theft increases in the UK;

As students start or head back to university this September, parents across the UK are asking the same question: are my child’s belongings at uni really protected under our home insurance policy?

The timing couldn’t be more urgent with the UK’s phone-theft epidemic. In London alone, 116,655 mobiles were stolen in 2024, the equivalent of 13 every hour, or 320 a day, according to Met Police figures. With mobile phones one of the most commonly excluded items under student cover, Saga Home Insurance warns parents could be unknowingly leaving their student children underinsured.

New expert commentary from Anna Thunstrom, Product Manager at Saga Home Insurance, explains the little-known catches parents need to be aware of.

Topline findings:

• 1 in 5 contents policies offer no student cover at all, while only 1 in 4 include it as standard
• Even where cover applies, claim limits are usually capped around £5,000 and valuables like phones or bikes are often excluded
• Cover often only applies if there are signs of “forcible and violent entry”, meaning items stolen from communal kitchens or unlocked rooms may not be insured

Anna explains:

1. Are students’ belongings covered by their parents’ home insurance while at university?
“Student cover isn’t always included as standard, so it’s really important parents check their policy. Around one in five UK contents policies offer no student cover at all, while only about one in four include it as standard. In many cases, it’s either a paid optional extra or only available with higher levels of cover.”

2. Is it true that belongings in student halls are only covered if there are signs of forced entry?
“Yes, this is a common condition of student cover, but as always, you’ll need to check your specific policy. Parents should look out for the phrase ‘forcible and violent entry’ in their policy wording. It means items stolen from unlocked rooms or communal areas in halls may not be covered.”

3. What do I need to check for to see if students’ belongings are covered and when should I consider specialist cover?
“Parents should be aware that some valuable items, like mobile phones or bicycles, may be excluded entirely. Even where student cover is included in a standard home insurance policy, the inner limits (the most you can claim for any one incident) are often relatively low, typically around £5,000. If your child is taking high-value items such as laptops, tablets, bikes, jewellery, or musical instruments, then a separate student contents policy may be a better option.”