The South West has been named Britain’s top spot for motorhomes, according to new figures from a leading motor insurance comparison website.
Research from Quotezone.co.uk, which offers a specialist price comparison service for motorhome insurance, found that 14.2% of the demand for premiums came from the South West – the highest ratio of policies per 1,000 population.
West Country residents were also eight times more likely to have a motorhome than Londoners, who are least likely to own one.
The West Country’s motorhome owners are also choosing to stay relatively close to home with 72% stating they plan to drive less than 5,000 miles in their holiday vehicles in a year – suggesting several local trips around Britain rather than venturing into Europe.
The motorhome insurance experts say with lockdown restrictions easing, interest in motorhomes and caravans has jumped 44% in April compared to the same time in 2020 – with May maintaining this elevated level of interest.
Data sourced by a freedom of information request showed the pandemic had quite a significant effect on the motorhome community, with the number of owners who took their holiday vehicles off the road in 2020 going up by 73% compared to the year before – rising from 62,430 in 2019 to 108,200 in 2020 across the UK.
Quotezone.co.uk’s Founder Greg Wilson comments: “The West Country is famous for its stunning coastline, pretty villages and its laid-back way of life. It’s the perfect place to take a break – perhaps explaining why it’s the region with the largest demand for motorhome insurance, people are keen to explore everything they have to offer on their doorstep.
“With uncertainty over foreign holiday restrictions and protocols, I would expect to see this surge in demand for motorhomes and caravans continue throughout summer 2021. The ease of domestic travel with a motorhome has only been highlighted by the pandemic and its effects on air travel. Motorhomes are also a significant investment, costing £25,000 on average, so it’s fair to say people are investing in their future and looking for long-term holiday solutions.”
Recommended by 97% of reviewers, Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products including niche items such as caravan, motorhome and campervan insurance. -ENDS-
Motorhome ownership by cities
| City
|
Percentage of SW total motorhome ownership | Stated will use motorhome for less than 5,000 miles |
| Bath | 7.5% | 72.6% |
| Bournemouth | 9.7% | 90.8% |
| Bristol | 12.2% | 72.8% |
| Dorchester | 4.7% | 72.1% |
| Exeter | 12.5% | 71% |
| Gloucester | 9.8% | 75.6% |
| Plymouth | 10.8% | 69.6% |
| Swindon | 6.6% | 67.1% |
| Salisbury | 3.7% | 76.4% |
| Taunton | 8% | 72.6% |
| Torquay | 7.1% | 69.1% |
| Truro | 6.5% | 71.4% |
*Based on a sample of 3,500 premium quotes.
About Quotezone.co.uk:
- Launched in 2005, Quotezone.co.uk has grown to become one of the UK’s leading insurance comparison platforms. An early pioneer of price comparison systems, the Quotezone.co.uk platform continues to use proprietary comparison technology to help millions of people find better deals on their insurance each year.
- co.uk’s parent company, Seopa, was founded by the Northern Irish entrepreneur, Greg Wilson, in 2003.
- From its headquarters in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Greg Wilson, CEO, and Ian Wilson, Managing Director, have grown the company to more than 50 team members spread across two European offices.
- The company has been recognised with six Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards and has been awarded a Deloitte Best Managed Company Award each year for the past three years – topped by the Gold Standard Deloitte Award for Best Managed Company this year (2020) – making it four consecutive wins.
