Average claim for student possessions doubles in three years
Our new data reveals that the average value of a student claim has doubled in the last three years, rising from £781 in 2022 to £1,766 in 2025.*
Theft makes up more than half of claims (56%),* with numerous reports of break-ins to cars and student accommodation, as well as items being stolen while travelling or dining out. The remainder of claims (44%)* are due to accidental damage, such as dropped items or spilt liquids.
According to the data, students are most likely to claim for laptops/computers, followed by phones and bikes.
The top 10 most claimed for items include:*
| Item | Percentage of student claims |
|---|---|
| Laptop/computer | 40% |
| Mobile phone | 22% |
| Bicycle | 19% |
| Bag/luggage/wallet | 19% |
| Keys/cards/cash | 12% |
| Jewellery/watch | 9% |
| Headphones/audio | 7% |
| Glasses/eyewear | 4% |
| Games console | 3% |
| Other/unspecified contents | 3% |
Top tips to help protect belongings at university to share with your clients
- Encourage them to think carefully about what they take: Before moving away, they should consider what they're packing and whether every item is necessary. While it can be tempting to take valuable possessions to university, it may be wiser to leave particularly expensive or sentimental items at home.
- Remind them to keep belongings out of sight: Avoid leaving items such as phones, laptops, jewellery and gaming devices on display, whether in their accommodation or elsewhere on campus. When not in use, valuable items should be stored somewhere secure.
- Stress the importance of locking up: Student accommodation often has a high number of people coming and going, making it a potential target for opportunistic theft. Encourage the locking of doors and windows whenever they leave, even if it's only for a short time.
- Promote vigilance in public spaces: Whether studying in libraries, cafés or shared campus areas, never leave bags, laptops or other belongings unattended. It's also worth reminding them to use strong, unique passwords on their devices in case they're lost or stolen.
- Advise extra caution on nights out: Busy bars, clubs and events can create opportunities for theft. Consider using a secure bag, keep valuables close to them and avoid drawing attention to expensive items such as phones, watches or jewellery. Valuables should also be kept out of back pockets where possible.
- Highlight the importance of staying security-conscious when socialising at home: While social gatherings are an important part of university life, it's important to protect their belongings at home. Where possible, bedroom doors should be kept locked and valuable items stored out of sight.
- Suggest checking existing insurance arrangements: Parents or guardians can help to check whether their belongings are covered while they're away studying.
- Make them aware of optional cover: For added peace of mind, they may want to consider adding personal belongings cover to their home insurance policy (if available).
- Remind them to update their address if taking a car to university: Students who plan to take their car with them should inform their insurer of their new address. Keeping policy details up to date can help ensure cover remains valid and avoid potential issues if a claim needs to be made.
*Aviva home claims data from 2022 - 2 July 2026, for Accidental Damage and Theft, where ‘student’ is mentioned.
