NAP: Do you ‘live’ in your van?
Plumbers, electricians and other tradespeople are using their vans as mobile offices, bedrooms and entertainment centres, new research has shown.
The Direct Line for Business study found 31% of van drivers use their van as a mobile office to manage their business, with 11% admitting they had even slept in their vehicle.
Almost half (45%) of tradespeople claimed they eat meals in their vehicle, while 14% of builders, plumbers and electricians smoke in their vans.
The top ten alternative van uses are:
- As a tea break room (50%)
- To listen to music (45%)
- As a dining room (45%)
- An office (31%)
- A reading room (30%)
- For smoking (14%)
- For sleeping (11%)
- For playing computer games on a mobile phone (9%)
- For sex (5%)
- For playing computer games on a handheld console (5%)
Melissa Hunt, Business Manager at Direct Line for Business, said: “With tradespeople working long hours on the job, it is no wonder they often end up eating, managing paperwork and even sleeping in their vehicles.
“However, customising their van with the latest gadgets and installing entertainment centres may not only be a distraction and compromise their safety but it is unlikely to be covered if stolen.
“Thieves are no longer targeting the vans of builders and plumbers to steal tools; they are also after expensive laptops, tablets and smart phones.
“With so much high end technology being stored in tradespeople’s vans it is important owners have sufficient insurance cover to protect their belongings.”
“The Direct Line for Business study found 31% of van drivers use their van as a mobile office to manage their business, with 11% admitting they had even slept in their vehicle.”
Image courtesy of Wrote, with thanks.
