According to insurance provider esure, thousands of students are at risk of losing expensive, uninsured possessions every year. Items such as laptops and desktops – which are considered to be essential items by the majority of university students – are among items targeted by thieves.

Esure’s ‘University Poll’ revealed that 93% of students will take mobile phones to university, while other valuables include iPod/Mp3/Mp4 players (74%) and cameras (45%). Around 80% of students will take goods worth more than £2,500 to university, while 10% will take items worth double this figure. Concerns have been raised as many students fail to check that their possessions are covered by their parents’ insurance, or simply do not bother looking into contents insurance at all.

21% of parents who participated in the poll expressed anxiety about the value of goods their children were taking to university with them.

Head of Home Insurance at esure, Nikki Sellers, said: “With all the nerves and excitement in the air of students getting their results and rushing to confirm their places at university, many aren’t remembering to insure their belongings against loss, theft and damage, which could cost them dear.”

She added: “All parents should make sure they have adequate contents insurance cover in place to protect their child’s belongings by checking whether it’s included in their current policy or by taking out additional insurance to protect their son or daughter’s prized possessions away from the family home.”

Alternatively, students can take out insurance policies themselves in order to protect valuables.

Find out more about contents insurance and student insurance