As children settle back into the school routine, Irish parents are being reminded to take extra care when it comes to protecting the increasingly valuable items their children take with them each day.
New analysis from OUTsurance highlights the cost of some of the most expensive school essentials, while also drawing attention to the risks of theft and damage during the busy school-run period.
Laptops and smartphones among the biggest expenses
Digital devices are now one of the biggest expenses facing parents of secondary school children. According to research highlighted by OUTsurance, 57% of parents are required to buy a laptop or tablet for their child, at an average cost of €447. Some schools are asking families to purchase devices costing as much as €850.
Add in smartphones, bicycles and musical instruments, and some children are heading out the door each morning carrying several hundred euro worth of valuable and easily resold property.
OUTsurance is urging parents to consider not only how they protect these items from theft, but also whether they are adequately covered by their insurance.
The most expensive back-to-school items to protect
1. School laptop or tablet
With an average cost of €447, and some higher-spec devices costing up to €850, laptops and tablets can represent a significant investment for families.
2. Smartphone
Mid-to-high-range smartphones can cost €600 to €1,000 or more, and are increasingly commonplace among secondary school pupils travelling independently to and from school.
3. Bicycle
According to Garda figures cited by OUTsurance, the average value of a stolen bicycle in Ireland is around €500, although many school and commuter bikes are worth considerably more.
4. Musical instruments
From school orchestras and bands to music exams, instruments can be an essential part of school life. While beginner instruments may cost a few hundred euro, prices can rise considerably for higher-quality models.
5. Schoolbags and sports equipment
Individual items may be less expensive, but the combined cost of schoolbags, sports equipment and other essentials can quickly add up, particularly when items are lost or damaged.
The school-run theft risk
The return to school also brings another potential risk: leaving valuables unattended in cars.
OUTsurance is warning parents about the temptation to leave laptops, phones and other items in a parked car, even for a few minutes while dropping children at school.
Central Statistics Office figures show that 7,796 thefts from vehicles were recorded in 2024, compared with 7,351 in 2023.
Bicycle theft is another concern, with Garda figures indicating that thefts peak during the July to October period, coinciding with the return-to-school season.
Is your child’s school equipment actually covered?
For parents, protecting valuable school equipment isn’t simply about preventing theft. It is also worth checking exactly what is covered by your home insurance policy.
According to OUTsurance, laptops, tablets and mobile phones may be treated differently from standard household contents when they are taken outside the home. Under its policy, these portable items must be individually specified on the policy schedule to be covered away from the home.
Bicycles can also have specific requirements around how and where they are stored. For example, a bike may need to be securely locked to a fixed object or kept inside a building for theft cover to apply.
The same can apply to valuables left inside a car. OUTsurance advises that items should be kept completely out of sight and stored in a locked boot or closed compartment, rather than left on a seat or dashboard.
The exact conditions will vary between insurance policies, so parents should check their own policy documents rather than assuming that an item is automatically covered.
OUTsurance’s tips for protecting school valuables
OUTsurance recommends a few simple precautions for parents:
- Don’t leave valuables visible in a parked car. Put laptops, phones and bags in the boot before arriving at your destination.
- Lock bicycles securely. Use a quality D-lock and secure the bike to a fixed point in a visible, well-lit location.
- Keep records of valuable items. Photograph laptops, tablets and musical instruments and make a note of their serial numbers.
- Register bicycles. Recording a bike’s serial number can help with identification and recovery if it is stolen.
- Avoid leaving valuables unattended. Even a quick trip into the school can provide an opportunity for theft.
- Check your insurance cover. Make sure expensive school equipment, bicycles and other valuables are covered when they are away from home.
Ian Kennedy of OUTsurance Ireland said that parents can reduce the risk by making simple precautions part of their everyday school-run routine.
“It’s about building a habit: take valuables with you, or lock them out of sight in the boot, every single time, even for a two-minute stop.”
He also encouraged parents to check their home and car insurance policies carefully, particularly where individual item limits may apply.
With children now back at school and families settling into their daily routines, taking a few minutes to check how valuable school equipment is stored, transported and insured could help avoid an expensive surprise later in the school year.
