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Invis
Invis
Monday 7th July, 2008
Revolutionary Protection Direct Through ASDA

-Protection Market Challenged To Up Its Game -

ASDA today challenges the protection market to up its game following the announcement that it is to be the exclusive retail provider for the new product that is set to revolutionise the protection market – ASDA Real Life Cover. 

For the first time consumers can protect themselves with a simple cost effective plan that covers them financially against almost any serious eventuality combining seven essential protection covers including Life and Income Protection providing an affordable solution for the millions that are unprotected.   ASDA has teamed up with protection specialist LifeSearch and Fortis, to make this service available direct to customers at ASDA.  Real Cover is also available from LifeSearch and a limited number of IFAs.  

ASDA’s Head of Insurance, Gideon Ingham comments: 

“For too long, the protection market has lacked innovation leading to millions of confused people.  At ASDA we’re not afraid of challenging the market to do things differently and when looking for a   solution, LifeSearch was an obvious choice.  

“With consumers facing a tumultuous economic climate and a gigantic £2.3 trillion life and £190 billion per annum income protection gap, we believe the launch of Real Life Cover can address a growing problem.  It provides the protection our customers need at a price they can afford.” 

The plan has been designed so customers no longer need to take out separate policies for life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection and therefore only need to pay one premium instead of three.   It has been designed to help unprotected consumers with an all-inclusive product at a cost that is affordable to all.  And by packaging the products together, administrative cost savings can be passed on to ASDA customers. 

The product was launched following insight that customers need more than just term assurance but find it difficult to choose between the different types of cover available often leaving them so confused they don't get the cover they really need. 

With Real Life Cover, you can make as many claims as you need to; providing there is still money left in your fund.  Importantly your Life Fund is never affected by any claims you make on your Living Fund, so you will still get the full amount on death or terminal illness. 

Real Life Cover also offers the option of unemployment cover to offer peace of mind for those that are worried about paying rising mortgage payments should they lose their income.   The plan is aimed at ordinary customers seeking extraordinary cover and other options are available for specialist needs. 

Customers who would like further details on Real Life Cover can call 0845 600 2732* or apply online at www.asdafinance.com  

Notes for Editors

About Real Life CoverOffering customers a simple and no-nonsense approach to cover, Real Life Cover is made up of two same-size pots of money: the Life Fund and the Living Fund. 

The Life FundThis pays out a lump sum if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness and is completely separate to the Living Fund. 

The Living FundThis has four elements:

1.       Income Cover: If you are unable to work because of illness or injury you will receive a monthly amount of 1% of your current sum assured 

2.                  Critical Illness Cover: If you have a heart attack, stroke or get cancer – the three illnesses that make up 80% of all critical illness claims, you will receive a lump sum of 12% of your current sum assured 

3.                  Child and Partner Carer’s Cover: If you’re unable to work because you become a registered carer for your child or partner, 12% of your current sum assured  will be advanced  

4.                  Recuperation Cover: To help you get back to work, the fund pays out 3% to pay for physiotherapy or counselling to help you recover from an illness or disability 

*Calls maybe monitored or recorded by ASDA Financial Services

 ·                     ASDA’s range of straightforward no-nonsense financial services helps you look after your family, home and belongings.

·                     ASDA’s Personal Finance products include:  motor, travel, home, pet, life insurance, income protection and critical illness insurance, as well as a credit card.   

About LifeSearchWith more than 200,000 customers, more than £13bn of cover arranged and over 40 awards and nominations LifeSearch is the UK's leading independent life insurance and protection specialist offering advice to consumers on life insurance, critical illness, income protection and family income benefit.

Established in 1997 by Tom Baigrie and Arthur Davies of London based Independent Financial Adviser Baigrie Davies, LifeSearch has offices in London, Milton Keynes and Leeds. The company currently employs around 150 people, of which approximately 60 are qualified advisers.

About FortisIn the UK, Fortis (Insurance) is a leading provider of award-winning personal and commercial lines insurance solutions in the UK and was named 2007 General Insurer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards. The insurer’s successful customer-centric strategy has been founded on aligning its activities to how customers want to buy insurance, combined with delivering high quality products, manufactured at costs better than market norms.



 

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