Caravan owners get clever to beat the crunch
November 2008
Gone are the days when caravans are just for summer holidays.
From using it as a study, to renting it as student accommodation
and parking in the drive as a burglar deterrent, caravan owners are
becoming increasingly resourceful in how they use their mobile
homes.
At a time when homeowners are feeling the pinch in funding
holidays and the cost of running a home, the new research from
Towergate Bakers shows that caravan owners are ahead of the pack in
the way they use caravans to make their homes bigger. The research
even suggests that a summer holiday could be a bi-product for what
caravans are becoming used for.
Towergate Bakers, a leading provider of caravan insurance polled
more than 2,000 caravan enthusiasts, asking them what purpose they
put their caravan to now the summer holiday season is over.
- Friends and family: With the credit crunch
putting pressure on family budgets and the affordability of
far-flung holidays, nearly seven in ten (69%) caravan enthusiasts
will lend their caravan to friends and family so they can have a
cheap family break. Across the UK, the Scots and the Welsh were
those most likely to share their caravan with others.
- Changing rooms: At a time when the government
is relaxing house extension rules, caravan owners appear ahead of
the game with a large number of people will using their caravan as
the extra room they always wanted on their house. 16% will turn it
into a kid's playroom for a bit of peace and quiet and 16% will
turn it into a study to help them work from home. Young families in
their 30's were most likely to go for the playroom option – 20%,
whilst 50 something's were keen to use it as a quiet study –
16%.
- Mobile student digs: Some caravan owners (9%)
are taking advantage of the shortage of student digs in university
towns around the UK and have decided to rent out their caravan as
student accommodation. This could prove a savvy masterstroke given
students go home for long summer holidays, freeing up the caravan
owners to set off on the road.
- Terrible teens' room: For parents fearing
their teenager might turn into Kevin and Perry, a caravan could be
the perfect antidote. 12% of people surveyed said they would move
their teenage children into a caravan - probably to get some peace
and quiet.
- Crime busters: As the dark nights draw in, 9%
of those polled said they would park their caravan in their front
drive to keep burglars away from the house. An unusual use for a
caravan, which may even attract caravan thieves.
Paul Havenhand, spokesperson for Towergate Bakers commented, "As
the economic slowdown gathers pace, we are seeing a booming demand
for cheaper UK based holidays, particularly family breaks in
British seaside towns and a revival of caravan and camping
holidays."
"Our new research shows that once people have a caravan, they
tend to put it to domestic use between holidays. As the UK's
leading caravan insurer we encourage people to make sure they have
the right cover in place and have their mobile homes safe and
protected from caravan thieves, whatever use they might be putting
it to."
Need insurance cover?
Towergate Bakers is a leading provider of caravan insurance. Call
0870 998 0281 for a quote.