Endsleigh Insurance was founded by the National Union of Students (NUS) in 1965 at a time when students where either getting an unfair deal from insurance companies or not being insured at all by them. 46 years later, and we are the number one insurer for students and still work closely with the NUS, individual Students’ Unions and Universities on many projects to do with safety, welfare, employability and personal development.
We have been Imperial College’s chosen insurance provider for 5 years. During this time we have worked closely with the Accommodation Team to provide the best service for students. The block policy arrangement we have with Imperial College represents a saving of over 80% compared to a student purchasing an individual policy.
Nationally most of our claims come in the first two weeks of university, which is why we need to speak to students and parents at the earliest opportunity. Also it is worth noting that 70% of our declined claims would have been paid if students had extended their cover. We want to ensure all students know what they are covered for, so that they take appropriate action for what they are not.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Duration of cover
From when the students arrive, even if they arrive early, provided they have signed a residence agreement. Imperial students on extended contracts are covered until the end of their extended residence agreement. Contract with Endsleigh will offer year round cover (anniversary date of 1 September each year). Cover will therefore include eligible students from 1st September 2010, and cover will continue annually.
2. Can a student opt out of block insurance cover?
Basic cover is provided for eligible students the cost of which is included in the standard accommodation charges; no refunds are available.
3. Where does cover extend to?
The student’s room, shared utility area (kitchens, bathrooms, corridors, laundries and common rooms) or in locked storage in the residence/College.
There is also cover for items in transit to and from the student’s home address.
Cover includes a total of £4,000 + £2,000 for portable computer equipment + £2,000 for desktop computers.
Students travelling to their residence from overseas includes the journey from the UK port of entry e.g. airport, sea port, railway station.
4. Does the student need to activate the cover when they arrive?
No, but they are responsible for checking that they have adequate cover and arranging and paying for additional cover, liaising directly with Endsleigh.
5. When might a student require additional top-up cover?
For anything which exceeds the limits on the Certificate of Insurance e.g. for computer equipment above £2000, all mobile phones, expensive jewellery, watches totaling above £600, or any other high value items. Bicycles are not included in cover and need to be insured separately.
6. Are musical instruments and bicycles covered?
Musical instruments are covered inside your room up to £600, but bicycles are not.
Bicycles and musical instruments are not automatically covered when taken outside of your room and need to be insured separately.
7. When is a Crime Reference Number required?
We will not process a theft or loss claim without an incident number.
If you are in doubt, please contact Endsleigh’s claims helpline on 0870 241 6105.
8. In the list of exclusions it says that contact lenses and dentures are excluded from cover. Are glasses covered or excluded?
Glasses are excluded from the Core Cover.
Students can extend cover on a top up policy directly from Endsleigh to cover ‘non-electrical items taken outside of accommodation’ this cover would protect contact lenses and glasses.
9. Will Residence staff ever need to provide a report of any description to support a claim?
Yes. There is no set rule for when, but where a claim requires further investigation, we would involve university staff to help our Loss Adjusters.
10. If a student leaves taps open when the water is off then the room is flooded when the water come back on would the student be covered or would this be excluded due to their negligence.
The student is not covered in this scenario, because the event/incident is not ‘beyond their control’.
If the room was flooded due to a burst pipe or faulty water works, then Endsleigh would accept the claim.
11. A student occupying a ground floor room leaves the window open and an intruder burgles the room whilst they are out, leaving no evidence of forced entry. Is the student covered by insurance or negligent for leaving the window open?
This would depend on how long the student had vacated their room for. A ‘reasonable’ period of time is 15 minutes (visit to toilet/bathroom for example).
Nevertheless, residents should be reminded not to leave windows/doors unlocked when away from their room even for a few minutes!
12. Are thefts from unlocked rooms covered? A student leaves their room unlocked and goes to dinner. When they return several items are missing.
The answer from point 11 applies to this scenario.
13. Does the student need to be able to provide any proof of purchase?
We ask all claimants to provide proof of purchase or ownership. Students who are unable to source either may find their claim is delayed or if there is not enough evidence to support the claim, the claim may be rejected.
14. Are goods which go missing/are damaged during a maintenance inspection or cleaning covered?
Yes they are, although we do not advertise this benefit as we would not want to encourage this type of incident.
15. A student’s handbag is stolen outside the residence. Can they claim for anything under the insurance policy?
Only if the student has purchased an extension policy from Endsleigh.
16. There is an excess of £10 for frozen food. The Apartments do not have freezers but students may wish to claim for food spoilt if the fridge fails. Would the £10 excess apply to food in a fridge as well?
The policy only covers freezers not fridges, however we would settle a claim for food items that were stored in a freezer box within a fridge.
17. How does a student make a claim?
The student can go to www.endsleigh.co.uk and submit a claim online or call 0870 241 6105.
