Students living away from home are likely not to be covered by their family's home insurance policies, new research has revealed.

UCAS has revealed that a study by Sainsbury's home insurance showed 25% of home insurance policies do not cover students while they are away from home, leaving thousands of university students with unprotected possessions.

Sainsbury's home insurance manager, Neil Laird, advised families to check their insurance policy carefully: "Before splashing out on insurance, students should check their parents' household contents insurance policy to see if it provides cover whilst they're studying away from the family home."

He added that insurance is essential for students as they are prime targets for theft. With their flats or houses left unoccupied for long periods of time during the day, they are more likely to be victims of crime. "The average student will have possessions that would cost thousands of pounds to replace if they were burgled," he remarked.