According to the information provided by AA Insurance around 4,000 caravans are stolen each year in the UK, with the midlands being the area from which they vanish more than any other.
It has been suggested that the convergence of several main motorways could explain the Midlands status as caravan theft capital of the UK. With the M6 and M1, as well as the M42, all close by it is easy to get to any part of the country, traffic excepted of course. AA Insurance figures show the Midlands loses 10 percent more caravans than anywhere else.
Caravan owners should ensure their caravan is always secured, making it harder for thieves to take it away. This is especially true at this time of year, said the AA Insurance spokesman, since many people prepare the caravan on the drive prior to setting off for a trip. This is when it is most vulnerable.
Apart from all the other costs associated with having children Abbey National are warning parents that home insurance is essential so as to be covered for likely accidents.
Each year, according to a new Abbey National study, children cause damage costing more than GBP500 million across 2.5 million homes in the UK. It is the toddlers who are the ones to watch, as the study revealed those aged between 1 and 5 cause nearly a quarter of all the household accidents.
The Abbey National data also showed boys to be twice as troublesome as girls in the household damage stakes, while the most common home insurance claims for damage caused by children are on paint or wallpaper, furniture and items being broken.
A spokesman from Norwich Union has said that the GBP2.6 billion reattribution of surplus funds is close to being resolved following previous disputes.
A representative for policyholders has been asking for changes since the reattribution of funds was biased in favour of Norwich Union shareholders and needed attention. Following this a committee from the government has been looking at the situation to ensure fairness.
Norwich Union are offering payments to with profits insurance fund policy holders but they will then not be eligible for any further annual bonuses. They are yet to hear if this latest offer is acceptable but hope it will be so that the funds can be paid out.