Student Insurance

Primrose2012

Hi all, looking for some advice :-)

DD is starting Uni in September, going into Halls which have a basic policy with Endsleigh. To add insurance for her laptop and phone (would also be valid out of her room) on top (pretty sure they are the only valuables she has!) would cost £8.99 a month. Given I pay less than £15 a month for our buildings and contents, this seems like an awful lot!

So, the advice required is twofold, 1) does she need the extra insurance at all and 2) does anyone know of any cheaper providers?

Thank you :-)

Prim x

devildog

Does she need it- if you get it, then no, and if you don't the chances are you wish you had!! I suppose the best way of looking at it is whether her phone/laptop are top of the range ones or whether they are at the relatively cheaper end of the market and could you or she afford to replace them if something were to happen if you didn't have the insurance.
Generally you can expect to pay around £70/£80 a year for laptop/phones. Some families home insurance does actually cover students possessions whilst they are at Uni (check you policy) and some providers wil allow you to purchase an add on for this cover(typically again around the £70/£80 mark. SIS insurance is another for students and protect you bubble is another that springs to mind (no experience of them mind you)
First year with eldest we took out additional insurance, since then haven't bothered and nothing adverse has happened.

malcyplop

Our house insurance is with Frizzel and they have extended cover for my daughters possessions on a 'temporary away from home' basis. £1000 limit per item. Confirmed that it covers all risks for laptop and phone while in halls. No extra charge!!

AnnBar

malcyplop wrote: »

Our house insurance is with Frizzel and they have extended cover for my daughters possessions on a 'temporary away from home' basis. £1000 limit per item. Confirmed that it covers all risks for laptop and phone while in halls. No extra charge!!

The only downside of doing this is that if you have to claim because her phone gets stolen then your premiums will probably go up for your house insurance considerably.

melancholly

malcyplop wrote: »

Our house insurance is with Frizzel and they have extended cover for my daughters possessions on a 'temporary away from home' basis. £1000 limit per item. Confirmed that it covers all risks for laptop and phone while in halls. No extra charge!!

It certainly used to be the case for a lot of policies that parents' contents insurance covered students's stuff at uni.

OP - I personally wouldn't bother with the phone insurance. At that much each month, she could just buy herself a phone for about the same money if it did get stolen or lost. In areas with lots of student houses, there can be an increased risk of a burglary, since in one house someone can get mabe 5 laptops/TVs etc. In halls, there is usually (but not always!) quite good security making that less of an issue. It's a tough call over whether it's worth it. I never bothered as I didn't have much of any value and didn't have anything stolen when in student accommodation. I'm sure someone who did get things stolen would err on the side of caution though....!

Primrose2012

Thanks all, I'll check with my insurer and see what they say - didn't think of that!

bouncydog1

Whichever insurer you use, there are likely to be conditions attaching to theft cover because there are several people living in one flat.

The policies will only respond if the room is broken into which means that even if she is in the kitchen she must keep her room locked to be covered for theft.

Also be aware that on moving in day, do not assume that everyone in the vicinity is a resident student even if they appear to be! When DD was moving in, one of the students in her block had his laptop stolen whilst they went down to the car to get his stuff out!! Make sure that you either lock the room or one of you stays in there at all times.

ultimatedingbat

I do reccomend Endsleigh's insurance policies. I've had them for all 4 of my years at uni and they've been nothing but brilliant.

Had to make three claims in that time and each time they have been amazing at fixing it quickly or paying out or sending a replacement.