Make the festival season one to remember for the right reasons
With more than 350 music, literary or food festivals taking place in the UK over the next few months, a new survey by M&S Car Insurance has found that over half of UK adults (56%) are planning to attend at least one festival being staged across the UK this summer.
The majority of festival attendees (78%) plan to travel by car - of these, over half (57%) will be driving their own vehicle and a further fifth (21%) will travel in someone else's car. Only 52% plan to park their vehicle securely in the designated festival car park. The remainder plan to leave their vehicle on the roadside, or any space they can find upon arrival.
According to the M&S Car Insurance research, when at the event, more than half (58%) of people polled plan to camp in a tent or sleep in their vehicle over their trip. The remaining two-fifths of respondents (42%) will arrange to stay at a hostel/B&B or at the homes of friends and family.
Only 11% of festival goers plan to seek out secure locker facilities to store their car keys during their stay. The majority (79%) will carry them on their person throughout the festival and a small proportion (7%) plan to leave their car keys in their tent.
Andrew Ferguson, M&S Head of General Insurance, said: ‘British festival-goers need to make sure this is a summer to remember for the right reasons. Heavy festival traffic can lead to a higher level of accidents and breakdowns. Once at the event it's an easy mistake to leave the car unlocked or lose your keys especially if you are carrying them around in a pocket all day.
‘Our research showed that over two-fifths (43%) of people confess to having accidently left their car unlocked before. Festival-goers should take some simple precautions when they arrive to keep their vehicle safe.'
M&S Car Insurance tips for keeping cars safe at festivals:
Before checking you have your festival ticket, check your car insurance is adequate for the trip, whether travelling as the driver or as a passenger. M&S Premier Car Insurance provides RAC breakdown cover that protects you even if you're the passenger in another car
Plan ahead when it comes to parking, opting for an official car park or secure private facilities where possible
Ask festival staff about facilities available to leave personal belongings, such as car keys. A secure locker can provide peace of mind. M&S Premier Car Insurance offers Keycare for lost and stolen keys up to £1,000
Be sure to take all valuable items from the car before leaving it unattended and conceal any personal items rather than leaving on display
If you have security features in your car - such as an immobiliser or steering lock - use them, especially if you don't plan to return to your vehicle for a number of days
In the excitement and commotion of unloading your vehicle at the festival site, remember to double check you've locked your car doors and wind up windows all the way
Consider your breakdown cover - festival sites are renowned for long traffic jams, which in hot weather can lead to cars overheating in the queue. M&S Car Insurance covers you for breakdowns in the UK and in Europe, should you venture to festivals further afield.
For more information about M&S Car Insurance or to apply, visit marksandspencer.com/carinsurance.