What Does the Insurance Cover?

Moving to Sønderborg is a major transition, but a single fire, water leak, or burglary can derail your studies if you are not properly insured. Understanding the boundary between what the dormitory covers and what you must cover yourself is the only way to protect your finances from sudden, high costs.

What StudieBolig Syd Covers

StudieBolig Syd (SBS) maintains insurance that covers the physical property. This includes the buildings, machines, domestic appliances, and fixtures that belong to the dormitory. However, this coverage is conditional on your cooperation. You must report any damage to the property to the janitor immediately. If you fail to report damage as soon as it occurs, you risk being forced to pay for the repairs yourself, even if the insurance would have originally covered them.

It is also important to understand “Excess Insurance.” Just like private policies, the dormitory’s insurance has a deductible. You will be required to pay this amount yourself if and when there are damages to your specific room. You can find the official insurance FAQ here.

What You Must Insure Personally

The dormitory’s insurance does not cover your personal belongings. If a fire occurs in your room, SBS insurance will pay to repair the walls and fixtures, but it will not pay a single krone for your lost laptop, clothes, or furniture. To protect yourself, you must take out a home contents insurance policy (indboforsikring).

As a minimum, your private insurance should cover:

• Home Contents: All personal property, including furniture, electronics, and clothes, against fire, water damage, storm, or burglary.
• Bicycles: Bicycles are a primary target for theft; ensure your policy specifically includes them.
• Cleaning and Moving: Your policy must cover the costs of cleaning and moving your property if your room is damaged by water or fire.
• Re-housing: If your room becomes uninhabitable, SBS insurance covers the costs of the uninhabitable room itself. However, your insurance must cover the rent for a temporary room and all associated moving expenses.

Casualty and Accident Risks

Only in rare cases will there be a “tort-feasor” (a person at fault) to claim damages from if you are injured on the dormitory property. This applies even to accidents that happen in communal areas. For this reason, you should take out a casualty insurance policy that includes dental injury. Without this, you will likely have to pay for your own treatment and recovery costs following an accident.

Critical Requirements for Tenants

Before you settle into your new room, verify your coverage status and adhere to these rules:

• Check Parental Coverage: You may already be covered by your parents’ insurance. Verify this before purchasing a new policy to avoid double-payment.
• Update Your Address: You must inform your insurance company immediately whenever you change your address. Failure to do so may void your coverage.
• Meter Integrity: All apartments are equipped with sealed meters for electricity and heating. If a seal is broken or tampered with, you will be held financially responsible for any consumption discrepancies.
• Smoking Restrictions: Most dormitories, including Ungdoms-kollegiet and Alssund-kollegiet, are smoke-free. Violating these rules can lead to significant cleaning costs or the loss of your right of occupation, which insurance will not cover.

Insurance is not an optional “extra” for a student; it is a mandatory shield against life-altering debt. While StudieBolig Syd protects the building, you are the only one responsible for your furniture, your bike, and your temporary housing if disaster strikes. Contact an insurance provider the week you move in to ensure your coverage is active and your address is correctly registered in their system.