As your children leave for university, they will take their favourite possessions with them too. Suddenly the house will be empty of noise, laughter and unwashed clothes – but their iPods, TVs, video and laptops will also be gone. You will understandably want to protect your children as they move into the next stage of their life and your home insurance can help protect their valuables too.

Student’s home contents will often be covered for up to £2,500 under their parent’s home insurance policy. Even if your child’s belongings are not under your roof, their valuables will still be covered in your children’s homes or residence at University. This cover automatically includes student’s possessions up to the insured total against theft or attempted theft, providing your child still has their permanent address at your home. Depending on what equipment your child has, you may also want to seek out additional cover under the personal possessions section of your policy.

There are a few things your children can do to reduce the risk of crime at University. Although their belongings may be insured, you would be advised to discuss these crime prevention techniques with your children before they head off to University:

Secure small belongings: encourage your child to get a desk with a lockable drawer. They can lock away smaller valuables which can easily go missing, such as iPods, phones and small cameras.

Lock up that laptop: Portable computers are convenient and invaluable for students on the move; however they are also an easy target for thieves. Laptop security cables are a reliable way to secure your computer; a steel cable is plugged into the laptop, secured with a code, and then wrapped around a heavy immovable piece of furniture. Thieves will not be able to take the laptop without taking the piece of furniture with them too!

Know your neighbour: University is a great time for socialising, but that does mean there will be lots of people coming and going from your child’s property. Make sure they know who is in the house, so that uninvited guests do not help themselves to their valuables.

If a child’s valuables are covered under their parent’s home insurance, it will give the whole family piece of mind. As your children leave for University you will want them to learn, have fun, and be safe – luckily quality home insurance will give them the financial security to do all three without worrying about their valuables.