A new study has shown that one in eight students have been victims of theft, with a total of £54 million of goods being stolen from students in the last year.

Moreover, this week BIBA (the British Insurance Brokers’ Association) urged people to pay attention when valuing their goods, suggesting that the majority of people undervalue their own possessions and therefore don’t have adequate insurance if they have to make a claim.

The study was undertaken by Santander Student Current Accounts, and together with BIBA’s announcement, students have been given a clear warning about the need for home insurance.

For most students university is their first experience of independent living and their awareness of details like contents insurance and its importance is likely to be small, making it all the more important.

The most common objects stolen tend to be electronic goods such as mobile phones, laptops and MP3 players. Bicycles are also stolen on a regular basis. The average value of items stolen, according to the study, is £211.

When it came to valuing their contents, Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive at BIBA, said that customers often do not account for many of their everyday items such as designer clothes and the combined value of electronic equipment, music collections and similar commodities.

UCAS has said there will be 470,789 new students this year heading to universities across the country. This new research suggests that almost 60,000 could be victims of theft during their time at university.

Students can often insure their goods under their parents’ policies as halls of residence are only considered temporary accommodation.

In regards to purchasing a new policy and correctly valuing goods, Mr Trudgill of BIBA said that people with a lot of stuff have got to “add it all up” which doesn’t take long and will make sure that they are fully covered.


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