Animal Friends Insurance, it was reported yesterday, are offering a discounted life insurance policy to vegetarians. The policy, which could save vegetarian customers thousands over its life, provides a 6 per cent discount to those who exclude meat from their diet . This is due to medical evidence that indicates vegetarians are less likely to develop chronic illnesses.
The managing director of the insurance firm, Elaine Fairfax, reportedly commented: "The risk of vegetarians suffering from some cancers is reduced by up to 40% and from heart disease by up to 30%, but despite this they have to pay the same life insurance premiums as meat eaters."
She continued: "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."
She concluded: "When it comes to life insurance, we believe that insurers should start to look at meat eaters and non-meat eaters in a similar way to the way they look at smokers and non-smokers. Hopefully others in the industry will follow our lead."




