This five step guide aims to help you find out more about your existing or intended insurance provider’s green and ethical credentials, or switch to a provider which is a better match with your ethical values.
Step 1 - Research
Find out whether your current insurance provider incorporates green and ethical considerations into its risk assessments?
You can do this by using the insurance search to find out how your provider has performed against the site’s green and ethical criteria. You can also check the provider’s website for information on products or corporate social responsibility policies. If you have a specific question you can’t find the answer to, contact your provider directly.
Step 2 - Support
If you are happy with your current insurance provider’s green and ethical policies, consider writing to it to support the work it is doing and encouraging other policy holders you know to do the same. This may help it to maintain good policies in key areas.
Step 3 - Oppose
If you find that your provider’s green and ethical policies do not meet your expectations consider writing to it to express your concern and to highlight the areas that you feel it needs to address.
While it is unlikely to change its policies because of your letter, it may respond positively to consumer demand as demonstrated by a number of individuals. If you know other people using the same provider you might consider trying to get multiple signatures on your letter or even using free online petition software to make your voice heard. Either way, it’s important to express yourself if there’s something you’re not happy with.
Step 4 - Switch
If you find that your provider does not address your green or ethical concerns or have satisfactory plans in place to address them in the future, consider switching to a new provider who does when your current policy expires. You can use the search facility to compare providers or check out the site’s guide to green and ethical insurance, which features a number of ethical providers and products.
Before you change providers it is vital that you also consider the terms and condition of policies from your new provider to ensure you are getting a good financial deal as well as a good ethical deal.
If you do decide to switch, consider writing to your original provider to let it know what you’re doing and why.
Step 5 - Stay informed
More green insurance policies are coming on stream, offering things like carbon offsetting on motor and travel insurance. Financial comparison sites are a good way of finding suitable products. However, it is also important to check out the company providing or recommending the product too.
Notes on using template letters
Templates are given as examples of what you may want to say to your insurance provider. It is advisable to send copies to both your branch (if applicable) and your provider’s head office. For a full list of insurance company head offices click here.
Please amend templates as much as possible; financial institutions are more likely to take note of and respond to a personalised letter rather than one clearly downloaded from a template.
