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Don’t come knockin’ if this van’s rockin’

July 2007

The findings of a survey for Budget Van Insurance show that tradesmen are considered hot property with over one in five being sexually propositioned on the job.   And those aged between 17-24 are the most likely targets with 36 per cent being hit-on while working.

Respondents to the survey admitted to their vehicles playing host to more than tools and tarpaulin with 11 per cent having had sex in their vans and a further 16 per cent preferring not to say…   While most store music, maps and loose change in their glove boxes, 3 per cent store condoms should the opportunity arise for some close client liaison.

Twelve per cent of van drivers admitted to arriving to shocking or unusual situations when working.  The most popular incidents included arriving to naked or partially dressed clients, transvestites, even the odd WAG. 

When asked about the most unusual item stored in the back of vans, respondents reported a wide range of objects including people and animals such as dogs, goats and racing pigeons.  Less animate passengers included mannequins, coffins both occupied and empty, and dead pets.

Sixty four per cent use their vans for other kinds of extra curricular activities including property renovation and DIY right through to carnivals, banger racing, and transporting everything from drum kits, decks and pianos to miniature steam locomotives and windsurf boards. Other uses included fishing or sports for 23 per cent and camping, music festivals and summer holidays for 28 per cent. 

As well as shocking encounters van men reported working in extreme conditions including blizzards, torrential rain, rat-infested properties and to top it off, desperate housewives.

Lisa Cortson, spokesperson for Budget Van Insurance said:
“It is great to get a snapshot of the diversity of van men and the fact that they are putting their vehicles to good – if at times unusual use; whether it’s driving their mates to music festivals, transporting mannequins or going banger racing!  Through their everyday working lives as small business owners they encounter all sorts of interesting situations.” 

Key findings

  • 26 per cent of respondents have been sexually propositioned while they’re on the job.  
  • Those aged between17–24 are also the most likely group to be sexually propositioned at 36 per cent.
  • 11 per cent of van drivers have had sex in their vans while a further 16 per cent would prefer not to say.
  • Those in the 17-24 year old age bracket were most likely to have had sex in the back of their van – 28 per cent compared to 11 per cent in general.
  • 64 per cent of van drivers use their vehicles outside work.  The most popular van uses are to run around at the weekend for 72 per cent of respondents; followed by
    • camping, music festivals and summer holidays - 28 per cent
    • fishing/sports - 23 per cent
    • family days out - 20 per cent
    • transporting motorbikes - 13 per cent
  • When asked about the most unusual things stored in the backs of vans, the most popular responses were:
    • fish and fish tanks
    • dead pets/animals including dogs, cows and pigs
    • live pets/animals including dogs, goats, snakes, racing pigeons, two eagles, even a deer
    • pianos, drum kits
    • more unusual items included mannequins, coffins, people (alive and dead) and boats.
  • The most unusual activities carried out in a van include sleeping, transporting items ranging from drum kits, pianos and decks through to miniature steam locomotives and windsurfs.
  • 12 per cent of van drivers reported having been faced with an unusual or shocking situation on arrival to a job. This figure was 17 per cent for Londoners. The most frequently reported include:
    • naked/partially dressed clients
    • dead clients
    • filthy houses
  • When asked about the worst conditions respondents had ever worked under, answers included:
    • extreme weather conditions – blizzards, torrential rain
    • filthy/rat infested houses/buildings
    • working amidst raw sewage
  • Most popular items stored in glove boxes include:
    • maps – 46 per cent
    • music – 31 per cent
    • vehicle documents – 29 per cent
    • spare change – 22 per cent
  • More unusual items include:
    • condoms – 2.7 per cent
    • spare underwear – 1.6 per cent

Survey conducted by Tickbox between 12.04.07 – 30.04.07.   Survey Sample Base of 630 van drivers

For further information please contact:
Roland Cross/Nicola Pierce
Broadgate                                                                               020 7726 6111

Note to editors

The BGL Group

The Budget Group of Companies (the Group) was founded in 1992 and has grown to become one of the UK’s largest personal lines insurance intermediaries, through a combination of organic growth and a series of major strategic acquisitions (the last major acquisition was five years ago).

The Group now arranges and administers insurance for 1.75 million customers. It operates major contact centre operations (Fusion) in Peterborough, Coventry, Sunderland, Peterlee in the UK, and Cape Town, South Africa. The Group currently employs 2,255 people with its head office in Peterborough.

As an intermediary, the Group is able to access a wide range of underwriters, making it highly competitive in the marketplace, offering core products such as motor, home, commercial vehicle and motorcycle insurance.  The Group also offers a wide range of supplementary products, which include breakdown cover, legal protection, travel insurance and mortgage payment protection insurance.

In 2006 the Group received ‘Intermediary of the Year’ (Insurance Age UK Broker Awards) for its outstanding contribution to the insurance industry.  In April 2007, the Sunday Times’ PricewaterhouseCoopers Profit Track 100 rankings selected the Group as ‘one to watch’.

Budget Van insurance searches a panel of 12 insurers to offer competitively priced van insurance, in addition to exceptional product benefits. In 2006 Budget Van launched various innovative marketing campaigns including ‘it’s a van man thing’ and ‘flying traffic wardens’, which resulted in it being awarded ‘Marketing Campaign of The Year 2006’ (Insurance Times Awards).

BISL Ltd, part of the Budget Group of Companies is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Registered Address: Pegasus House, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, PE2 6YS.
Registered in England no 3231094