Is your child heading to university? Here's how to protect their stuff

See more This is Money on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy SOPHIE WARBURTON, MONEY REPORTER Updated: 07:00 BST, 28 August 2026

With university term beginning in the coming weeks, students and their parents are being warned to protect their valuables as insurance claims have doubled in three years.The average value of a claim on a student's belongings insurance has risen from £781 in 2022 to £1,766 in 2025, according to data from Aviva. The figures give an idea of how much students could be left out of pocket if belongings are lost or stolen, whether they choose to take out insurance or not. Most student insurance claims are for theft, which includes break-ins to homes and vehicles as well as items being stolen from them while out and about. The remainder of claims are due to accidental damage, such as dropped items or spilt liquids. Laptops and computers, followed by phones and bikes, are the most claimed-for items.This is what parents need to know about insuring their child's belongings while at university. New start: Students heading to university should consider protecting their belongings