Caravan Get-Together
In my world, cheap caravan insurance feels like the most important thing. I am an insurance broker, and we specialise in caravan insurance, so finding the appropriate policies and distributing them to our clients for good value seems imperative.
Recently, however, I discovered that cheap caravan insurance is not caravan owner’s biggest concern. It seems that having fun comes much further up the line. I discovered this at a 40th birthday.
I was invited to a party on a caravan site. There would be loads of mates arriving in 8 caravans, supplemented by a number of hangers on with tents. In all, 50 revellers gathered in a field in Norfolk for one of the best parties I have ever attended. The selection of caravans was incredible. Karen and Richard, our entrepreneur friends arrived with their Vanmaster Occasion which was being pulled by a new Range Rover (I wouldn’t mind having their insurance account). As far as I could see, the caravan would have qualified as a 5 star hotel if it had a swimming pool. Our “still young at heart extreme sport” friends, Jeff and Sally arrived in a 1960s VW camper, and Alison and Luke, the eco warriors brought their “little Guy” caravan that was being pulled by the world’s smallest car, powered by a hairdryer. My wife and I were – as you might imagine – part of the tented hanger on section.
The day started with a game of rounder’s. The sun beat down and the beers and wine flowed. As the drinking started, so the bowling got more erratic and the batting less effective. In the background, an enormous hog roast was being prepared. The smell seemed to travel everywhere and it felt like the whole of Norfolk would have been able to find us.
We ate and drank our fill while catching up with old friends and discussing the pros and cons of caravans, and caravan holidays. I did mention to all of them that I was a caravan insurance broker, but I am not sure they were listening. In the background, sounds were supplied by William and Penny, whose soft top Mercedes must have come complete with a mobile disco.
As the day gave way to evening so an evening breeze sent us all rummaging for our jumpers. Some of the seasoned campers knew exactly how to build the perfect camp fire and Alison and Luke had managed to squeeze their guitars into the world’s smallest car, so we had a sing-song.
I came away from that party wishing I had spent more time understanding what a great thing it is to own a caravan, and less time selling cheap Caravan Insurance.
