|
Children in the UK are carrying a small fortune in their schoolbags after having their Christmas wishes granted.
Zurich has estimated that the average contents of a child's school bag could add up to more than £200, with some teenagers carrying items valued at nearly £500. Typical gear includes mobile phones, personal CD players and portable computer games.
As any parent will testify, these days children have increasingly sophisticated and expensive tastes. Research shows 52 per cent of children between 7 and 16 own a mobile phone, rising to 82 per cent in the 14-16 age group. As well as mobile phones, personal CD players, Gameboys and even Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are also popular items, particularly among teenagers.
Phil Ost, Head of Communications at Zurich, said: "Children are certainly becoming more demanding when it comes to those 'must-have' gadgets. However, these items don't come cheap, so it's important that parents check they have adequate insurance to cover their loss, damage or theft, especially as children like to take their prized possessions to school."
Parents should also consider whether the valuables in the child's school bag makes them a target for street crime. Home Office research shows that 48% of mobile phone robbery victims are under the age of 18. With this in mind, children should be advised only to show their gadgets and Christmas gifts to close friends and avoid putting them 'on show' in the playground.
Insurance cover for personal belongings can be arranged as an extension to standard home contents insurance. 'Personal Possessions' cover will insure a child's possessions for loss, damage or theft in the playground or on the way to, and from, school.
- ends -
For further information, please contact:
Kathryn Pugh, Zurich on 01489 864636 / Rachel Hart, Zurich on 01489 864629
Email Kathryn.pugh@uk.zurich.com
The Zurich Financial Services Group is an insurance-based financial services provider that focuses its activities on its key markets of North America, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. Founded in 1872, Zurich is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It has offices in approximately 60 countries and employs well over 70,000 people | 