Are campervans as popular in Ireland as elsewhere?
Yup, and that popularity is growing. According to new research from Aviva Insurance, 40 per cent of people now say that they would consider using a campervan for a holiday in Ireland. 23 per cent said that they'd like to use a campervan for a music festival or event - just as we did last year, taking the new VW California to a history festival in the UK…
Do people have any concerns about using campervans?
Yes, but according to Aviva's research - which polled 750 Irish drivers - nothing out of the ordinary. Of those polled, 38 per cent said the cost of ownership is a concern, while 32 per cent were worried about finding parking spaces for a larger vehicle, and 31 per cent said that the cost of hiring a campervan is a potential concern. People were also concerned about campervan insurance (23 per cent, and that's something we'll come back to in a minute), while 22 per cent worried about driving a campervan, which, of course, can be large and bulky.
It's interesting to note that campervan residual values are impressively high, and anecdotally it can be possible to buy a new one (and they aren't cheap), run it for a year, and get back almost what you paid for it on trade-in.
How many campervans are in use?
Aviva estimates that 27,835 campervans are currently registered in Ireland, and of course that figure doesn't include the numbers coming to visit each year from the UK and Europe.
You said something about insurance a minute ago…
Indeed. 16 per cent of the people that Aviva asked said that they assumed that a campervan would be covered by a standard car insurance policy. That's partially right, but not necessarily entirely so, and the message from Aviva - amid all this campervan popularity - is to check with your insurer, especially if you're hiring a campervan or buying one for the first time, to make sure that you're fully covered for all eventualities.
Michael Bannon, Motor Product & Class Underwriting Manager at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC, said: "Campervans offer a flexible and convenient way to travel, whether that's exploring different parts of Ireland, heading away for a weekend break or travelling to a festival. Our research shows that many people would consider a campervan trip, while also highlighting some of the practical factors involved, including costs, parking and insurance. For anyone considering a campervan trip, taking the time to understand the costs involved, plan ahead and check what cover is in place can help make the experience more enjoyable and stress free. If you own a campervan and haven't already done so, it's worth speaking to your insurer to make sure you have the level of cover that's right for your needs.''
If there is anything about this story we have not covered, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.