One in three students are victims of crime at some point during their university careers, new government figures released this week show.

Many of these will suffer burglaries. Not only to students frequently live in the less safe parts of towns, but many tend to take fewer precautions with regard to their home security. If you live in a shared house or a hall of resident, it can be difficult to know who should and should not be there.

Studies suggest that one in three burglaries committed against students are "walk-in" crimes, where there is no evidence of forced entry.

But a new survey from Saga Home Insurance suggests that student residences are actually particularly attractive to burglars for another reason: students actually own more expensive items per head than any other group in Britain.

While mum and dad may think their little darlings are freezing in a drafty garret, with nothing more to their name than a poster of Che Guevara and a pair of grubby combat trousers to their names, in fact, students' rooms are often packed with valuable equipment, such as computers, TVs, iPods and CDs – sometimes worth thousands of pounds.

Saga found that, with 70 per cent of crimes against students being against their property – primarily theft, criminal damage and burglary - affected youngsters are paying around £900 a year to replace stolen goods.

And yet, obtaining cover could be a lot cheaper and easier than many students think.

"Standard student insurers can charge around £15-20 per month and then an extra £10 a month for bike cover. However, some home insurance policies ... offer up to £2,500 worth of cover for student possessions for no more than £5 extra per month, with other policies ... offering student cover automatically as standard", Kevin Kerridge, director of insurers Hiscox Online, told myfinances.co.uk.

Indeed, some insurers, including Saga, Lloyds TSB, Esure, Tesco, Norwich Union, Morethan and Direct Line, already offer free contents cover for students whose parents are already policy holders.

However, care should be taken in relying on parental insurance. Many of those available do not cover residences for periods when they are not occupied, such as university vacations.

Statistics show that, in fact, it is at these times when the majority of burglaries in student accommodation take place.

Furthermore, some insurers will need proof of forced entry before they pay out – and that window you left open while you were out partying will not convince.

Fortunately, there are now many companies that offer specific deals aimed at students and their possessions directly, although the levels of cover offered vary. Don't forget to get your bike included!

And the monthly premiums they offer vary. The one with the branch next to the union bar may not always be the cheapest, so it makes sense to shop around.

With students today so notoriously underfunded, many may be tempted to cut corners on insurance and forget about it altogether, but the statistics paint an alarming picture that not many can afford to ignore.