Contents insurance is designed to protect your belongings, giving you peace of mind while you’re away from home.

• It's a policy that could protect your stuff against loss, damage or theft
• Standard policies usually cover items like your clothes, books, electronics and musical instruments if they're worth under £1,000
• You could get extra cover for high-risk items like laptops and bikes
• Some policies offer add-ons to protect against accidental damage and loss

The average student heading off to university takes around £1,400 worth of items with them*. That price excludes things like clothes, bikes and musical instruments. So the total could be much higher.

Julia Alpan at Endsleigh says:

"It's common to assume that when you're in uni, your belongings will be protected by your parent's contents insurance policy. This isn't always the case.

You also shouldn't rely on your university accommodation or landlord to protect you. They'll usually only offer a basic level of insurance, which may only protect a small range of possessions. Even then, the policy may only cover your stuff if it's stolen from your room with signs of forced entry. This can be the same if you're relying on cover from your parent's policy.

If you're in any doubt what you're protected against, check any cover you already have. But be aware it may not offer all the cover you need."

For more details, check out our guide to tenants' insurance.

*Endsleigh brand & possessions research, May 2019

Make the most of your policy by checking the following:

• The terms and conditions, as some policies may have specific requirements. For example, locking the bedroom door when leaving the house.

• Don't assume your things are covered by your parent's home insurance policies. Parental policies will often have certain exclusions which won't give a student the full cover they need.

• The excess before buying, as it might not be worth paying £250 excess for a £300 laptop.

• The period of cover, as the policy may not cover your belongings when term time ends if you're relying on your parents' insurance.