Aviva offers £12,000 worth of cover for student belongings under parents’ home contents insurance

As a new university year approaches, Aviva is urging parents and guardians to consider protecting students’ important possessions while they are studying away from home.

With an Aviva Direct Home policy, students who are undertaking full time education and living away from home will automatically have £12,000 worth of their belongings covered at their term-time accommodation under their parent or guardian’s home contents insurance policy, provided they return to the family home during the holidays.  

The cover is provided under the ‘contents temporarily removed’ clause. This means items such as televisions, games consoles, mobile phones and laptops that are temporarily removed from the main insured property to student accommodation or a shared flat, are protected from incidents such as fire, escape of water and forcible entry, such as a break in.

If students want additional protection for items such as mobile phones, ear pods, laptops, tablets and jewellery, including for accidental damage and loss, then personal belongings cover can also be selected on the main home insurance policy. This useful addition safeguards against theft, loss, and accidental damage both inside the home and while out and about, with cover provided anywhere in the world.

Steven Jackson, home product manager for Aviva, says “Students often have thousands of pounds worth of gadgets and equipment in their student accommodation which can cost an eyewatering amount to replace in the event of an unfortunate incident, such as a burglary or water leak.

“Knowing that their personal items are properly protected via their parents’ contents insurance policy means students can focus on their education and enjoying university life, while parents can have peace of mind knowing that cover is in place.

“With smart phones, tablets and laptops also common targets of theft, personal belongings cover is another potentially useful addition for students, who may be carrying expensive items around with them on campus or on nights out. This ensures a misplaced laptop, or a lost phone can more easily be repaired or replaced where necessary.”

While any bikes being kept in student accommodation may be covered automatically by a home contents insurance policy, keen student cyclists may want additional cover. Aviva offers up to £5000 worth of pedal cycle cover, for theft, loss or damage to bikes anywhere in the world, as long as they are locked in a building or properly secured to an immovable object such as a post or railings.

Studying away from home can be daunting, but Aviva is here to help ensure our customers enjoy their experience. Below are five top tips for helping keep belongings safe:

1. Keep valuables out of sight: avoid leaving expensive items like smartphones, laptops, expensive jewellery, or games consoles out in plain sight, both at home in your accommodation or around campus. Store them securely when you aren’t using them.
2. Secure your accommodation properly before going out: opportunistic thieves can strike at any time and the sheer number of people coming and going from student accommodation can leave people vulnerable to theft. Secure accommodation properly before leaving, even if you are only popping outside.
3. Be cautious with gadgets in public: studying in public places like libraries, cafes, or on campus can be a great way to keep motivated, but be careful never to leave your laptop, mobile phone, or bags unattended. Secure your items with strong and unique passwords to protect your personal information if the worst does happen.
4. Be careful on nights out: finding your belongings missing can be a horrible ending to a great night out. Potential thieves will often strike in crowded bars, pubs, or clubs, so use a secure bag that is attached to your person and be careful flashing your phone or expensive items in public.
5. Get home contents insurance: ask your parents or guardian to help you properly protect your belongings with insurance that is right for you, so you can have peace of mind while you are studying. An Aviva Direct Home policy provides £12,000 worth of cover for students living away from home, via your parents’ main home contents insurance policy.  

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Further information:

• When choosing the sum insured, customers should ensure that the total sum incorporates items at the main home address as well as items temporarily removed from the home. 
• For policies purchased before 20/03/2024 or renewed before 21/04/2024: cover is provided up to £5,000 per claim for loss of or damage to contents by any of the major perils.

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