Vegetarians can claim a meaty discount

THOSE who do not eat meat, can save money on life insurance premiums, thanks to a novel product launched this week.

Animal Friends Insurance, a not-for-profit organisation, will be offering 6 per cent discounts to vegetarians and fish-eaters.

It is calling on other insurance providers to follow its lead and offer cheaper premiums to non-meat eaters, given that medical evidence suggests that they are less likely to suffer from major illnesses, including some cancers.

Animal Friends Insurance believes that, while the life insurance industry has significantly developed its understanding and management of risk in recent years, it has not given adequate weighting to the benefits of vegetarianism.

It said vegetarians were "subsidising" meat eaters when it came to life insurance cover. Elaine Fairfax, managing director of Animal Friends Insurance, said: "The risk of vegetarians suffering from some cancers is reduced by up to 40 per cent and from heart disease by up to 30 per cent but, despite this, they have to pay the same life insurance premiums as meat eaters.

"We believe this is unfair and the life insurance industry needs to acknowledge the fact that being a vegetarian can have a very positive impact on life expectancy, and reduce premiums accordingly."

Vegetarians are a large market in the UK - 2.2 million people claim to have not eaten red or white meat over the past 12 months and a further 1.26 million people plan to stop eating it between now and June next year.

Animal Friends Insurance said it will take people at their word if they say they do not eat meat, as companies do with people who claim to be non-smokers.

The Animal Friends Insurance life insurance product is white-labelled by LV friendly society.