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Student contents insurance

Compare cheap contents insurance for students

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1Correct as of April, 2023

What is student contents insurance and do I need it?

Contents insurance for students protects your belongings while you are studying away from home. It’s a form of home insurance designed specifically for students.

It means that if your possessions are stolen, or damaged after an incident like a flood or fire, you won't have to pay for replacements yourself.

It's up to you whether you buy students contents insurance - there's no legal requirement and your landlord or accommodation provider can’t insist you have it either.

But if you’re worried about break-ins or your belongings getting lost or damaged, student contents insurance could give you peace of mind.

Some student accommodation might include some contents insurance as part of your agreement, but it's important to check whether it provides the level of cover you need. This is particularly important if you're reliant on expensive tech like laptops to get your uni work done.

Even though your landlord might have buildings insurance, it's unlikely to cover your belongings.

Conversely, as a student, you won't need buildings insurance when living in your rented accomodation. Repairs to the bricks and mortar accomodation are the responsibility of your landlord. As the owner, your landlord can buy dedicated landlord insurance to help protect their property.

What does student contents insurance cover?

Contents insurance for students protects your possessions from loss, damage or theft if there’s a fire, flood or break-in where you're living while at uni.

Think everything from your phone and laptop, through to your clothes, books, money and any musical instruments or sporting equipment you have. Don't forget any furniture that belongs to you rather than your landlord.

One way to visualise it is if you turned your student accommodation upside down, everything that falls out is likely to be covered by your students contents insurance policy.

A word of warning: your policy is likely to have a single item limit. This is the maximum amount you can claim for any one item. Many students contents policies set this at £1,000.

You might not think it a problem, but you might be surprised at the value of some of your belongings.

Items that might exceed the single item limit on student contents insurance include:

  • Laptops or computers
  • Expensive smart phones
  • Musical instruments

If you have any items that's value exceeds the single item limit you can ask your insurer to cover them separately.

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*Based on data provided by Consumer Intelligence Ltd, www.consumerintelligence.com (April ’23). 51% of home insurance customers could save £174.41 on a combined policy.
**Single annual policy. Shell Go+ account required. Only one £10 fuel reward can be used per transaction and each can only be used on fuel purchases of £10 or over. HelloFresh 18+ subscription service. Geographical exclusions apply. T&Cs apply

What doesn't student contents insurance cover?

Every insurance policy has exclusions: things you can't claim for.

Common exclusions on students contents insurance include:

But the good news is that you can usually buy cover for these eventualities for an additional premium.

Your insurance might also not cover you if your insurance provider feels you have been negligent in some way, like making your home an easy target for thieves.

Your claim might be rejected if:

  • You leave your accommodation for a longer period
  • You’ve left doors or windows open or unlocked
  • There's no sign of a forced entry
  • You try to claim for gradual wear and tear of belongings

To be on the safe side, always check the policy details to see what it does and doesn't cover before you buy student contents insurance.

Does my parents' home insurance cover me as a student?

Before you buy student contents insurance, it's a good idea to find out if your belongings will be insured as part of your parents' home insurance. Some policies might cover your things while you’re away at uni, but not all do.

But, even if you’re covered, the policy might not give you the level of cover you need. And if you make a claim, it could affect the no-claims bonus of your home insurance policy - something your parents might not be too happy about.

Any claims made on a student contents insurance policy are separate and shouldn’t impact your existing policy.

How much does student contents insurance cost?

The average cost for contents insurance for students is £59.15*, but just how much you pay will depend on where you live and the value of your things.

The more your possessions cost, the more you'll have to pay to insure them. You may also have to pay a bit more if you live in an area with high crime rates.

*Jan-Dec 2022 Confused.com data, median annual purchased premium

How can I save money on student contents insurance?

From our experience there are a number of things you can do to cut the cost of student contents insurance:

  • Pay annually, if you can
  • Build your no-claims bonus
  • Check your security measures
  • Shop around each year

Pay annually, if you can. It might seem more manageable to pay for your insurance monthly, but be aware that insurers often charge interest for the privilege. Pay up front if you can.

Build your no-claims bonus to get a cheaper deal. If you can go a year or longer without claiming, your insurer should give you a no-claims discount each time you renew. If it’s your first time getting contents insurance then this won’t apply.

Check your security measures. It's important you have the correct door locks and window locks. This won't just make it harder for thieves to break in, it could also reduce your insurance costs..

Comparing like-for-like student contents policies could help you find the best deal in minutes and with minimal effort. It’s the easiest way to save money on your student contents insurance.

How do I get a students contents insurance quote?

It's quick and easy to compare student contents insurance with us. You'll just a need a few details:

  • The lock types on external doors. If you're unsure check out our guide to different lock types, with example pictures to help you out
  • The value of all your personal possessions. Our contents calculator can help you work it out
  • Details of any high value items, worth more than £1,000, this could be your laptop, a piece of jewellery or a musical instrument

Don't stress about the value of your possessions too much - it doesn't have to be 100% accurate. Just be mindful that if you go too low your pay out might be too low to replace them if disaster strikes and if you over estimate you'll pay more than you need. If you're stuck our contents calculator can help.

Compare cheap contents insurance for students

How do I stay safe and secure while I’m in student housing?

Student properties can be a goldmine for thieves, rammed with laptops, phones and gadgets.

Even though contents insurance for students helps you replace your possessions if you have a break-in, you'd rather not be burgled in the first place.

Follow these steps to keep your home and belongings secure:

  • Secure your house or room properly with working locks
  • Hide your valuables out of sight
  • Lock your doors and windows when you’re out
  • Secure expensive items during holidays or take them home
  • Mark your belongings – use a permanent marker to put your name and postcode on them, or use a UV security pen that can help police return stolen items to you

What our home insurance expert says:

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

You shouldn't rely on your university accommodation or landlord to protect you either. They usually only offer a basic level of insurance, which might only protect a small range of possessions.

If you're in any doubt about what you're protected against, check any policies you already have. But be aware it might not offer all the cover you need. Make sure you have sufficient contents insurance in place for added peace of mind.

Need more help?

How do I make a claim for my belongings?

If you’re a victim of theft or burglary at university, you should call the police first and get a crime reference number. Then, call your insurer on the claims number in your policy. You should be able to find it on their website too. It's often helpful if you have some evidence to support your claim, such as receipts or photos for stolen items.

How many claims can I make?

There shouldn’t be a limit to the number of claims you make on your student contents insurance. But the more you do make, the more you’re likely to pay for insurance cover in the following year. It could affect your no-claims bonus too. Multiple claims over a short period can make an insurance company suspicious of fraud. It can also lead to higher premiums on renewal and in some cases a loss of your no claims bonus completely.

How much excess should I choose?

The excess is the amount you need to pay towards a claim. Agreeing to a higher voluntary excess could reduce the cost of your student insurance. But it’s worth thinking about how much you’d be prepared to pay if you had to make a claim. For example, would you want to pay £250 to claim for a £300 bike?

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