Get the right student insurance sorted before term starts

Policies will have different kinds of cover limits that limit how much you can claim for each time.

Most contents insurance policies will have a single item limit, which is a limit to how much you can claim for a single item, and limits for each of the cover types.

When shopping for your policy, be mindful of these limits, and look for policies that offer you enough cover to properly protect your belongings.

If you have any items that are especially valuable, you will need to ask your insurance provider to list them separately to have them covered by your contents insurance policy.

Adding these items may also add to the cost of your policy, but at least that will ensure you can claim for their full value if anything should happen to them.

Many contents insurance policies will over a number of options to extend the cover of your policy. Common options you'll find being offered include:

• Accidental damage cover: Covers belongings that are damaged accidentally

• Personal possessions cover: Covers certain items outside of the home

• Home emergency cover: Covers emergency call-outs

• Extra bicycle cover: Covers while in use away from home (doesn't cover unattended bicycles)

Each provider will have their own list of options, so be on the look out for extra cover that you think would be useful to you.

When it comes to insurance, it's not always the cheapest option that gives you the best value for your cover. Policies at the lowest price end may have low cover limits, high mandatory excess, or exclusions that limit your opportunities to claim on your policy.

When shopping for insurance, the focus should be on value rather than overall price - getting the best cover for the price you're paying - so it's worthwhile to do some digging.

To find good value cover, compare quotes for a range of policies, read customer reviews and compare policy features carefully to find the right cover at the right price.

Take care not to end up either under-insured or over-insured. If you underestimate what your stuff is worth, you risk not getting the full amount reimbursed should you need to make a claim.

If you overestimate the value, you could end up paying more than you need to for your premium.

You can reduce the cost of your contents insurance by opting for a higher voluntary excess – the fixed amount you must pay towards each claim.

This can make some of the more comprehensive policies out there more affordable.

However, be sure that if you do have to make a claim, you will still be able to comfortably afford your chosen excess.

As a student, it's likely that you won't be staying at your current accommodation from more than a year before moving on, so be careful not to commit to an insurance policy with an insurance period longer than that, otherwise you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

The standard length for most home insurance policies is 12 months, but there are policies out there with insurance periods shorter than this if you don't want to keep the insurance for a full year.

If you're bringing plenty of gadgets with you, it's worthwhile to also consider gadget insurance. This type of insurance can protect your essential electronics like phones, tablets, laptops, earbuds, headphones and more.

If your valuable gadgets are damaged or lost, whether your in your room or out and about, insurance can cover the cost to replace or repair them.

Gadget insurance can either be purchased as an add-on to contents insurance or you can get a standalone gadgets insurance policy. Both have their pros and cons, so take the time to weigh your options before picking your policy.

Bicycles aren't cheap to replace, with prices for normal and electric bikes going up to hundreds and even thousands of pounds. If your bicycle is your main method of transportation, then it makes sense to protect it.

Contents insurance can sometimes offer some basic cover for bicycles, but to ensure you're still covered when you take your bike out for a ride, you can buy bicycle insurance.

Bicycles insurance can cover the cost of replacements and repairs, with plenty of upgrades and add-ons to cover bike rentals while yours is being repaired, cycling equipment, custom parts and more, making it the most comprehensive protection out there.

Adding an older, more experienced driver to your insurance as named driver can save young drivers as much as £103 a year on their car insurance*.

However, you should always be honest about who is driving the vehicle the most, otherwise you could invalidate your policy.

Insurers charge interest rates on monthly payments, so paying annually can save you some money overall.

Choosing to pay an annual premium upfront can also save you from the full credit check that car insurance providers carry out if you choose to pay monthly, which can impact your credit score and be visible to other lenders. Instead, your insurance provider will only carry out a soft credit check.

Black box car insurance - also known as telematic car insurance - is a type of policy that rewards safe driving by having your driving habits recorded by a 'black box' installed in your vehicle.

Driving safely and driving few miles with a black box installed may get you a discount when it's time to renew. But be aware that dangerous driving may have the opposite effect.