Student gadget insurance

For most students, counting the pennies is important. On one hand, this can mean that spending money on an insurance policy every month might feel like an unnecessary expense, but could you afford to repair or replace essential devices, like your laptop, without cover? If the answer is no, read our guide to finding a student gadget insurance policy that won’t break the bank.

What is student gadget insurance?

Student gadget insurance is gadget cover (for things like mobile phone, tablet and laptop) tailored to the needs of students. This usually means cover in halls and away from home.

Do I need student gadget insurance?

That’s up to you, but consider whether you’ll have the funds to replace your phone, laptop or tablet if they are damaged, lost or stolen.

As a student, it’s likely you rely on these items to do your work, which makes them even more important. Any delay in repairing or replacing them, especially your laptop, can interfere with your studies.

What is covered under student gadget insurance?

The exact specifications of the policy will vary by provider and cover level, but gadget insurance tends to include the following benefits:

• Accidental damage (including cracked screens)
• Theft
• Cover for flood and fire damage
• Unauthorised call cover (for stolen phones)
• Mechanical breakdown (if the device is out of warranty)
• Liquid damage
• Cover anywhere in the UK, and international cover up to a certain number of days

What isn’t covered?

This will also vary by insurer, but your insurer won’t usually cover the following:

• Your excess (the amount you have to pay towards a claim)
• Mechanical breakdown before the expiry of the manufacturer’s warranty
• Cosmetic damage that doesn’t affect the operation of the device
• Accidental loss (this may be an optional extra)
• Any gadget you cannot provide proof of purchase for
• Theft claims without a crime reference number from the police
• If you don’t look after your devices or you leave them unattended, your claim might be rejected

Most policies will have a limit on how old a device or gadget has to be in order to qualify for cover. This is often a maximum of one year from new, but some insurers allow you to take out cover for devices and gadgets up to three years after you’ve purchased them from new. Similarly, most insurers won’t cover devices bought second-hand.

What gadgets are covered?

Most student gadget insurance policies cover the following devices:

• Mobile phones
• Laptops and notebooks
• Cameras (including digital and video cameras)
• Games consoles
• Tablets
• MP3/4 players
• Smartwatches
• Sat-nav and GPS devices
• Palm tops
• Ereaders (like Kindle)

How to find the best student gadget insurance

What is best for one person might not be best for another, but here are a few steps you can take to find the right deal for you:

1. Check if you’re already covered. There are banks in the UK that cover mobile phones and other gadgets as standard when you open an account. Even if you have a student account, some perks may be included. Additionally, if your parents or guardians have home insurance, your gadgets may be included in their cover, even while you’re away at uni. Your own accommodation provider might also provide insurance, but this cover can be limited.
2. Choose your level of cover. Most policies include liquid damage and theft as standard, and for student policies, your gadgets are usually covered anywhere in the UK. However, things like cover for loss and worldwide cover are often optional extras. If this is something that is important to you, make sure you add these items to your cover. If not, you can save money by going for a policy that doesn’t include them.
3. Remember cheap doesn’t mean best. As a student, it’s understandable that you’d want to keep the cost of your policy as low as possible. However, make sure to check exactly what the policy includes before you buy it, as there’s no point paying for something that isn’t right for you.
4. Look at a multi-gadget policy. Some providers offer multi-gadget discounts, which can help if you are insuring a number of different gadgets.
5. Compare policies and get a range of quotes. It always pays to shop around and compare providers to find a policy that gives you your desired level of cover for the best price.

Bottom line

As a student, you probably feel that those few pounds you have to spend on your premiums each month would be better spent on food or a good night out, but consider what would happen if one of the devices you use to do your coursework on got damaged or stolen. Could you afford to repair or replace it straight away? If not, what would that mean for your degree?

Even if the gadget that breaks is not essential to your studies (like a games console), that can have a negative effect on your life as well. Uni life is stressful without losing the stuff you use for fun.

When you look for a gadget policy, make sure to shop around to find the best deal for you, but always read the small print to see exactly what is and isn’t covered.

Frequently asked questions

• Are my gadgets still covered under my parents' home insurance policy?

  They might be, but you’ll have to check that items are covered away from the insured property. Additionally, some providers have specific restrictions on insuring gadgets at student halls, so check whether that applies to your parents’ policy.

• Will my gadgets be covered by my uni halls or accommodation?

  Some accommodation providers do provide contents cover for their residents, so make sure you check with them before you buy a policy. However, note that these policies can sometimes be very limited, for example, only providing cover while your gadgets are in your room and not while you have them out with you. Check the details of the policy carefully and decide whether you need to take out your own cover alongside it.

• Am I covered during university holidays and reading weeks?

  If you decide to go back home for a period of time and leave some belongings behind, they should still be covered under your policy, but this will vary by insurer. Check with your insurance provider to find out what’s included, and note that there may be a limit on how many days your belongings are covered for while you’re away.

  Items that you take with you will still be insured if your policy includes cover away from your usual base or anywhere in the UK.

• What is my student gadget excess?

  This will vary by provider, but the excess on gadget insurance for students can sometimes be lower than other policies, usually between £50 and £100.

• How do I settle claims for student gadget insurance?

  The claims process will vary from one insurer to the next, but will usually include making a call to the insurer’s claims line. Some of these are open 24/7, whereas others have set operating times. Some companies will also allow customers to make a claim online, via email or through an app. Check with your provider to see what the process involves.

  It’s vital to let your insurance company know of a claim as soon as possible. Have your policy number to hand before you make contact, along with proof of purchase for the item you wish to claim for and details about what led to the claim.

  For theft claims, you must obtain a crime reference number from the police.

• How do I qualify for a student policy?

  Usually, you will need to be a full-time student at a university or college. Some insurers provide cover for part-time students, but you’ll have to check this directly with the insurer to make sure.

• Can I insure more than one gadget under the same policy?

  Yes. Many insurers offer multi-gadget policies, and some even give you discounts for insuring more than one device.

• Does my age matter for my application?

  It can do, but this will vary by provider. In many cases, you will need to be at least 16 to apply for cover.

• I'm a graduate and looking to do a masters, can I still apply for student gadget insurance?

  As long as you’re a full-time student, you should still be eligible for student gadget insurance. Part-time students may also be able to find cover, but you’ll have to shop around to find a provider that offers this.

• Does it matter if I'm not a UK resident?

  Yes, most insurers require you to be a UK resident in order to take out a policy. You can still find cover for international students though, so shop around and consult your university or college if you’re not sure.