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The long months of lockdown are behind us, and it’s time to start exploring the world again. A motorhome makes a perfect low-risk holiday option, so grab your keys and head for the hills! Let’s look at the reasons why motorhome holidays are booming, and why motorhome insurance is essential for protecting your home on wheels.

(Always check the latest government guidance before travelling.)

 

Motorhomes are selling like hot cakes

More and more Britons are waking up to the wonderful world of motorhome travel.

According to caravan and motorhome manufacturer Swift Group, web traffic to their sales site jumped 40% after lockdown restrictions were eased.

Motorhomes are increasingly trendy, with the growth in interest particularly strong in the 18-44 age bracket.

Those with motorhomes or caravans already are relishing the opportunity to get back out there. A membership survey by the National Caravan Council found that 93% of those with motorhomes or caravans planned to take a break in their home on wheels after lockdown.

Why motorhomes are a low-risk option

It’s no wonder that people are loving their motorhomes at this challenging time.

Other holiday venues such as hotels, cottages and apartments need to build trust with customers, showing that appropriate measures are in place to minimise risk and ensure social distancing.

Despite reassurances that thorough cleaning is carried out between guests, you really have to take it on trust that the business owner is behaving responsibly.

In places where holidaymakers naturally meet together, such as hotels and holiday parks, social distancing is either difficult or reduces the fun factor.

All those one-way systems, sanitising stations and queue markers don’t exactly build a relaxing ambience.

With a motorhome, on the other hand, it’s relatively easy to maintain social distancing – being able to get away from it all is why people love motorhomes in the first place!

Without having to share things like reception areas, restaurants and leisure facilities, risk is greatly reduced. If your motorhome has cooking and washing facilities, you should be able to keep your distance without too much trouble.

Quality insurance for a motorhome is always a holiday essential – never more so than in a pandemic. Don’t forget to check your cover before going away, especially so you understand what is or is not covered in relation to COVID-19.

 

Top tips for a safe motorhome getaway

If you’re planning a break in your motorhome, some basic planning and preparation can help to reduce your risk even further.

 

• Don’t travel too far

Unfortunately, local lockdowns have proved necessary in places around the UK as COVID-19 flare ups are detected.

Travel overseas can be even more fraught, with quarantine restrictions being imposed at short notice. The simplest option is to stay fairly close to home and rediscover the charms of your own region.

If you do plan to go abroad, a motorhome is likely to be a lower-risk way to go than catching a train or plane from a busy interchange.

 

• Take cleaning seriously

Most of us would give the motorhome a thorough clean before heading off on a trip.

During the pandemic, extra cleaning is advisable to ensure that risk is kept to a minimum. In particular, places you touch when out and about should be wiped regularly with disinfectant, including places like vehicle door handles, steering wheels, volume knobs and seat belts.

Wash and/or sanitise your hands before entering your van and on leaving other premises.

• Plan ahead and minimise shopping

Spontaneity is not your friend in a time of pandemic. Planning your trip should help you to reduce the number of visits you need to make to shops to pick up provisions, as well as helping you make the most of your time away by spotting attractions that need prior booking.

A menu plan and itinerary will enable you to avoid multiple trips to the shops – who wants to spend their holiday in a supermarket anyway?

 

• Check what measures are in place

If you book into a caravan park or campsite, check in advance so you understand what measures are in place to reduce risk.

These may include contactless check-in, procedures to maintain social distancing in facilities blocks, allowing extra space between pitches and handwashing before and after using facilities.

 

• Stay in your social bubble

This isn’t the year to make new friends on a caravan site. In normal times you might let your hair down and enjoy a beer or two with others camping at your site, during the pandemic it’s best to stay in your own social bubble, mixing only with the people on holiday with you.

 

• Avoid crowded places

The more people you come into close contact with, the higher your risk of contracting COVID-19.

Thankfully, most caravan parks and campsites offer plenty of space so you can stay away from others.

Avoiding busy places like popular beaches and tourist sites should help, too – or at least try to visit at quiet times.

 

Be a responsible motorhome owner

It’s good news that more people are experiencing the joys of getting away in a motorhome, but unfortunately, not everyone is camping responsibly.

Police in tourist hotspots have warned that holidaymakers are camping irresponsibly, for example by staying overnight in car parks and beaches rather than using proper sites.

Using sites without relevant provisions such as toilet facilities or safeguards to ensure social distancing can increase your risk of exposure to Coronavirus.

If that’s not enough to put you off (and it should be!) local police have taken to giving irresponsible holidaymakers a rude awakening by banging on their doors at the break of dawn, telling people to move on.

If you’re not sure what rules apply to your chosen destination, check out the Caravan and Motorhomes Club for guidance.

Booking a pitch in advance is advisable, otherwise you could find yourself either on the wrong side of the law by camping illegally, or facing a long drive back home.

Get a quote for motorhome insurance

Motorhome insurance is another important way to be responsible. If your vehicle is in an accident, lost, stolen or vandalised, or even if it breaks down, you will need a reliable insurer who comes through for you.

Contact Lancaster Insurance for a motorhome insurance quote today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.