Are your child's personal belongings insured?

What is the value of the personal possessions your child takes with him to boarding school? Does your child have her own laptop, iPod, mobile phone or musical instrument with her at college? Has the school loaned your son or daughter any equipment to bring home during the school holidays?

A quick totting up of the replacement costs for your child's treasured possessions could come as something of a shock - depending on just what they have with them at school, it could be well over £1000 and possibly a great deal more.

Your household contents insurance policy may cover all his or her personal belongings while your child is away from home, but it is worth checking with your insurance company to make sure that there are no limits on the value of any single item and that cover would extend to loaned items used in your home. Equally, it makes sense to ensure that cover is provided against loss or damage whilst goods are in transit at the beginning and end of each term.