Students Belongings Insurance FAQs
- What sort of insurance is available? |
- What's 'new for old' mean? |
- Where are my belongings insured? |
- What does basic insurance cover? |
- What does comprehensive insurance cover? |
- Are there any claim excesses? |
- What isn't insured? |
- Who supplies the insurance? |
- How much cover do I need? |
- How do I arrange cover? |
- Who can apply for cover? |
- I'm a parent/guardian - can I arrange cover on behalf of my son/daughter? |
- How long is the cover period? |
- How do I pay? |
- Do prices include Insurance Premium Tax? |
- Can I buy cover by telephone? |
- When does cover start? |
- Can I arrange cover in advance? |
- I'm having problems using this web site. What should I do? |
- What do you do with my details? |
- How can I view the policy wording? |
- Do I need to fit locks to my room? |
- What's 'walk-in theft'? |
- Is there a trial period?
What sort of insurance is available?
Broadly speaking, we've two types of insurance for you to choose from:
- basic cover - our budget policy, which lets you pick and choose what you need
- comprehensive cover - our all-inclusive, which covers you and your belongings
Our insurance is designed with you as an individual in mind, and, as such, we aren't able to insure groups. So if you live in shared accommodation and you all require cover, you'll each need to apply separately. Online applications are easy and only take a few minutes.
What's 'new for old' mean?
When you make a claim, all your affected belongings (unless indicated otherwise) will be replaced with new items at today's prices. Please note that this means you need to insure your belongings at their 'replacement as new' value.
Where are my belongings insured?
Your belongings are insured while they're in:
- your term-time address
- your parents' home(s)
- direct transit to and from home during the holidays
- locked storage on campus at any time
What does basic insurance cover?
Basic cover insures your belongings against:
- theft (including open-door walk-in theft in halls of residence)
- fire
- flood
- storm
- vandalism
- burst pipes
Your belongings are insured while they're in:
- your term-time address
- your parents' home(s)
- direct transit to and from home during the holidays
- locked storage on campus at any time
Items automatically included in your basic insurance are:
- landlord's property - up to £5,000
- college property that's on loan - up to £250
- accidental death of parent or guardian - up to £5,000
Extensions
You can also choose to pay a little extra to extend your basic cover to include any of the items in the table below.
| Insurance details | Additional information | |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop computer equipment | Cover against any loss or damage of your monitor, hard drive, mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner, software and accessories. Four levels of cover are available:
| This is automatically included with comprehensive cover |
| Laptop computer | Cover against loss or damage of your laptop or handheld computer anywhere in the UK. | |
| Mobile phone | Up to £200 cover against theft or damage anywhere in the UK. | |
| Pedal cycle cover explained | Up to £250 cover against theft or damage anywhere in the UK. | |
| Belongings during holidays | Cover for your belongings at the insured address, your halls of residence room or designated storage therein for up to 35 days whilst unoccupied during college vacation periods. Your belongings are insured up to a maximum of £3500. If you're living off campus in private rented accommodation, you need to extend your policy to include vacation cover. | This is automatically included with comprehensive cover |
| Accidental damage | Accidental damage to your desktop computer, TV, video, DVD player, games console or audio equipment whilst in your accommodation. | This is automatically included with comprehensive cover |
| Legal expenses | Up to £30,000 cover for:
| This is automatically included with comprehensive cover |
| Criminal assault | We'll pay up to £500 for damage to your clothing or property. | This is automatically included with comprehensive cover |
| Rent protection | Up to £1,000 cover for reimbursement of rent paid in advance or rent due under a signed rental agreement. If you become ill or have an accident and can't stay in your rented accommodation. | This is automatically included with comprehensive cover |
| All risks | Cover valuable items that you take out of the home against theft or damage anywhere in the UK. You need to specify each item you wish to insure (e.g. portable audio players, watches, cameras, jewellery and glasses.) Important: don't include your laptop or handhled computer equipment within this all risks section. See 'laptop computer' above. |
What does comprehensive insurance cover?
Our all-inclusive peace-of-mind policy covers both you and your belongings against:
- theft (including open-door walk-in theft in halls of residence)
- fire
- flood
- storm
- vandalism
- burst pipes
Your belongings are insured while they're in:
- your term-time address
- your parents' home(s)
- direct transit to and from home during the holidays
- locked storage on campus at any time
Comprehensive insurance automatically includes:
| Insurance details | |
|---|---|
| Desktop computer equipment | Cover against loss or damage or your monitor, hard drive, mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner, software and accessories. |
| Belongings during holidays | Cover for your belongings at the insured address, your halls of residence room or designated storage therein for up to 35 days whilst unoccupied during college vacation periods. Your belongings are insured up to a maximum of £3,500 |
| Accidental damage | Accidental damage to your desktop computer, TV, video, DVD player, games console or audio equipment whilst in your accommodation. |
| Legal expenses | Up to £30,000 cover for:
|
| Criminal assault | We'll pay up to £500 for damage to your clothing or property. |
| Rent protection | Up to £1,000 cover for reimbursement of rent paid in advance or rent due under a signed rental agreement, if you become ill or have an accident and can't stay in your rented accommodation. |
| Landlord's property | Up to £5,000. |
| College property that's on loan | Up to £250. |
| Accidental death of parent of guardian | Up to £5,000. |
| Legal liability | Up to £1,000,000. |
| Credit cards | Up to £500 cover against theft and fraudulent use following forcible entry to your room. |
| Personal money | Up to £50 cover against theft following forcible entry to your room. |
| Personal accident | Up to £10,000. |
Limits summary - limits are determined by the total sum insured
| Total sum insured | Single items/group limits | Desktop computer limit |
|---|---|---|
| £2,000 | £650 | £500 |
| £3,000 | £950 | £750 |
| £4,000 | £1,250 | £1,000 |
| £6,000 | £1,500 | £2,000 |
Groups are:
- audio equipment
- TV, video and DVD players
- photographic equipment, video cameras and camcorders
- jewellery, watches and other valuables
- music, video, DVD, software and other computer data-carrying media (limited to £350 unless otherwise stated)
Extensions
You can also choose to pay a little extra to extend your comprehensive cover to include any of the items in the table below.
| Insurance details | |
|---|---|
| Laptop computer | Cover against loss or damage of your laptop or handheld computer anywhere in the UK. |
| Mobile phone | Up to £200 cover against theft or damage anywhere in the UK. |
| Pedal cycle cover explained | Up to £250 against theft or damage anywhere in the UK. |
| All risks | Cover valuable items that you take out of the home against theft or damage anywhere in the UK. You need to specify each item you wish to insure (e.g. portable audio players, watches, cameras, jewellery and glasses.) Important: don't include your laptop or handheld computer equipment within this all risks setion. See 'laptop computer' above. |
Are there any claim excesses?
All claims are subject to a £10 claim excess.
What isn't insured?
Basic cover - principle exclusions:
- the first £10 of any claim
- computer equipment
- possessions outside your accommodation
- contents of your room if unoccupied during vacations (except storage in hall of residence)
- accidental damage
- rent protection
- criminal assault
- legal expenses
- mobile phones
- contact lenses
- pedal cycles
You can pay a little extra to add any of the above to a basic cover policy.
Comprehensive cover - principle exclusions:
- the first £10 of any claim
- laptop or handheld computers
- possessions outside your home
- pedal cycles
- mobile phones
- contact lenses
You can pay a little extra to add any of the above to a comprehensive cover policy.
Who supplies the insurance?
The Student Possessions Insurance policy is arranged by NatWest Insurance Services, which acts as an insurance intermediary. NatWest Insurance Services is a trading name of RBS Group Insurance Services Limited. Registered Office, 138-142 Holborn, London EC1N 2TH. Registered No: 2168710 England.
The Student Possessions Insurance policy is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc. The policy is provided by, and is a product of, UK & Ireland Insurance Services Ltd. For the selling of General Insurance, UK & Ireland Insurance Services Ltd is an Independent Intermediary that acts as your agent and accepts responsibility for the advice provided and for arranging your insurance. UK & Ireland Insurance Services Ltd is a member of the General Insurance Standards Council and undertakes to comply with their code of practice for the selling of General Insurance. We are also members of the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) and The Association of Insurance Intermediaries & Brokers Ltd (AIIB).
How much cover do I need?
It's easy to underestimate the value of the belongings you take to college or university. Especially high-value goods such as digital players, games consoles, desktop and laptop computers.
You'll need to regularly reassess your levels of insurance as your course progresses. New purchases and Christmas or birthday presents often mean that your level of insurance cover will need to be increased.
There are four levels of cover for your belongings:
- up to £2,000
- up to £3,000
- up to £4,000
- up to £6,000
Basic cover can be extended to include desktop or laptop computer equipment, accidental damage, vacation cover, legal expenses, criminal assault, pedal cycles and mobile phones.
Comprehensive cover includes items such as desktop computer, accidental damage, vacation cover, legal expenses, personal accident and criminal assault. You can extend comprehensive cover to include laptop computers, all risks cover for specified items, pedal cycles and mobile phones.
Limits summary - limits are determined by the total sum insured
| Total sum insured | Single items/group limits | Desktop computer limit |
|---|---|---|
| £2,000 | £650 | £500 |
| £3000 | £950 | £750 |
| £4,000 | £1,250 | £1,000 |
| £6,000 | £1,500 | £2,000 |
Groups are:
- audio equipment
- TV, video and DVD players
- photographic equipment, video cameras and camcorders
- jewellery, watches and other valuables
- music, video, DVD, software and other computer data-carrying media (limited to £350 unless otherwise stated)
How do I arrange cover?
It's easy. Simply get a quote or apply online
Who can apply for cover?
Full- or part-time students studying at college or university in the UK. Cover is also available for graduates
I'm a parent/guardian - can I arrange cover on behalf of my son/daughter?
Yes, it's easy. Simply get a quote or apply online
How long is the cover period?
All premiums quoted are for annual cover. Policies are valid for one year from their start date.
How do I pay?
Premiums need to be paid in advance. You can pay with a Visa, MasterCard, Switch or Delta card. Sorry, but we don't accept payment by Direct Debit, cash or cheque.
Do prices include Insurance Premium Tax?
Yes, all prices include Insurance Premium Tax (IPT), which is charged at 5%.
Can I buy cover by telephone?
No, you can only buy cover using our secure online application. This allows us to maintain our market-leading premiums by reducing our overheads.
When does cover start?
Instant cover is available.
Can I arrange cover in advance?
Yes, simply select the start date required in the personal details section.
I'm having problems using this web site. What should I do?
Firstly, refresh the page. If this doesn't fix the problem, you may need to clear your history. To do this, click on Tools and select Internet Options and then click on Clear History. If this doesn't help, please email us at faults@cover4insurance.com and we'll call you back. If you do email us, please give us a daytime contact number and the time you'd like us to call.
What do you do with my details?
Information about you will be held by UK & Ireland Insurance Services Ltd and Royal & Sun Alliance for the purpose of administering this policy. We do not pass your personal details on to any third party companies.
How can I view the policy wording?
Our policy wording is in a PDF document (147k pdf).
Do I need to fit locks to my room?
No, you don't need to fit any additional security. However, you have a 'duty of care' to take all reasonable steps to prevent accidents, loss and damage.
What's 'walk-in theft'?
In halls, you're covered when you temporarily leave your room unattended and unlocked. However, you have a 'duty of care' to take all reasonable steps to prevent accidents, loss and damage.
Is there a trial period?
If you aren't entirely satisfied with your policy, write to or email us within 14 days of the policy starting and we'll return your premium in full - subject, of course, to you having no claim in progress in the meantime.