UK: Norwich Union announces Post Office deal

Norwich Union has today underlined its commitment to growing the life protection market by announcing a major distribution deal with Post Office Financial Services. The relationship will see exclusive Post Office-branded Norwich Union protection products available for the millions of customers who use the Post Office every week.

Norwich Union has today underlined its commitment to growing the life protection market by announcing a major distribution deal with Post Office Financial Services. The relationship will see exclusive Post Office-branded Norwich Union protection products available for the millions of customers who use the Post Office every week.

Products will be available to purchase direct either over the phone or via the Post Office website http://www.postoffice.co.uk/. Information will be available at all 14,000 Post Office branches1 across the UK.

A 50-plus life insurance plan is the first product to launch. It offers simple, affordable life insurance for the over 50s without the need for underwriting. A further life protection product will be launched later in the year.

David Barral, intermediary and partnerships director for Norwich Union said: "We are delighted to announce our latest partnership, which builds on our existing relationship as the Post Office's lead insurance provider of personal motor, home and commercial vehicle insurance.

"This is an exciting opportunity which supports our strategy to develop new distribution channels, in particular to increase our offerings direct to customers and to develop new, simpler products which are affordable and easy to buy. It will also help to close the estimated £2.3 trillion life protection gap2 that consumers have in the UK."

Post Office director of insurance Phil Ashkuri said: "The Post Office has already attracted well over half a million insurance customers and this new launch builds on our existing range, which now includes travel, home, motor and van insurance and a payment protection policy - Lifestyle Protection. As with all our financial services products, our new over-50s life plan offers a simple and straightforward solution at value for money prices."

Customers can find out more about the Post Office's insurance range by calling 08457 22 33 44 or by visiting http://www.royalmail.com/. Information about all of the Post Office's products and services is available at all 14,000 Post Office branches.

-ends-

Notes to editors:

1 Obtained from http://www.royalmail.com/ 
2 Source: Swiss Re

Press office contacts:                     

Norwich Union
Sarah Horner 01904 452828 Out of hours 07800 691569                     Louise Soulsby 01904 452617 Out of hours 07800 699526

Post Office Financial Services:
Hayley Fowell 020 7250 2417 Out of hours 07725 446226

Notes to editors:

About Norwich Union
Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer. It is a leading provider of life, pensions and investment products and one of the largest financial adviser (FA) providers. FAs provide over 70% of the company's long-term savings business in the UK.

Norwich Union's news releases and a selection of images are available from Aviva's internet press centre at www.aviva.com/media.