Cheaper Life Insurance For Vegetarians

An animal-friendly insurance agency which has hitherto specialised in pet insurance products has extended its range to offer cheaper life insurance policies to vegetarians. Married couple Chris and Elaine Fairfax of Worthing, West Sussex, founded Animal Friends Insurance (AFI) to provide protection for our furry friends, but they now also offer non-meat-eaters a Vegetarian Term Life policy. The question is, does it come with a side salad?

AFI considers that the insurance industry as a whole should recognise that vegetarians are healthier and live longer than meat-eaters, and they should factor that into their quotations. The claim for better health and longevity of vegetarians is backed up by research.

Mr Fairfax states, "Independent studies show that, on a 12-year follow-up study of 11,000 people, vegetarians have a lower rate of mortality in some significant areas than non-vegetarians."

It is said that they are less likely to suffer with kidney stones or gall stones, or other chronic illnesses. They are also less likely to have high blood pressure or to develop diet-related diabetes.

Needless to say Mad Cow disease isn't going to affect vegetarians, so dying for a hamburger won't be on their agenda.

The Vegetarian Society claims that their followers (some four million in the UK) reduce the risk of heart disease by 30 per cent and that the risk of some cancers is down by 40 per cent.

The Vegetarian Term Life policy is underwritten by the Liverpool Victoria Life Company and offers a first year reduction on monthly premiums of 25 per cent. Mr and Mrs Fairfax are so keen on promoting the policy that they are funding the discount by forgoing their commission. They have also decided that profits from their other insurance business will be donated to animal causes.