Festival goers need more than a tent for cover

by Gill Montia

Story link: Festival goers need more than a tent for cover

Aviva is reminding music festival fans that a tent in not the only cover they require.

Nearly half of all Britons have attended the summer festivals at some time or other, and of these 14% have lost belongings or had them stolen, according to the insurer’s research.

With many festival-goers taking expensive personal items such as smartphones and cameras, Aviva calculates the average value of possessions per person at £928.

The findings are back up by official crime statistics showing that at last year’s top seven UK festivals, there were 945 reported incidents of theft, involving items worth a combined £190,000.

In 650 cases thieves targeted tents, while pickpockets accounted for 295 reported incidents.

The firm’s household underwriter, Jonathan Cracknell, comments: “At any event with crowds of people all carrying pretty expensive gear there is a risk of crime and our research shows that it is definitely worth being as aware of security as you are of the line up of the day.”

He adds: “It’s also worth remembering that unless you have additional personal belongings cover on your home insurance your belongings, unfortunately, aren’t covered outside your home, so it might be worth checking to see if you have the cover already or if it is worth adding it if you are festival-going family!”