Students head to university without insurance
Published On 5 October 2007
Students in the UK need to consider taking out insurance while they are at university, an industry expert has said.Graeme Trudgill, technical services manager at the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba), said that most home contents insurance policies that parents have cover items while their kids are at university.
However, he pointed out that the cover was typically only for a small amount - usually less than £500.
"The problem is, that might not be enough. A lot of students these days have laptops, iPods, digital cameras, DVDs, mobiles, stereos… and that can add up to a lot of money," Mr Trudgill added.
"What they should consider is taking out a specialist student content insurance policy, which is tailored to students and then they can basically buy one of those if their parents don't have suitable protection.
"There is a definite need for students to have insurance. It's probably not at the top of their things to do; they're probably more worried about what they're going to study, whether they're going to fit in with other students."
Figures from Abbey recently indicated that the typical student takes over £3,300 worth of possessions with them to university. However, 30 per cent do not bother to take out insurance.
