Sainsbury’s pilots in-store insurance

Sainsbury’s Bank is piloting an off-the-shelf travel insurance product called Pick’n’pay. The retailer plans to roll out the initiative nationally if the pilot is successful. Arch-rival Tesco and chemist Boots both sell travel insurance through their stores.

Consumers will be able to take a pack to the checkout containing a policy booklet, unique policy number and emergency numbers to take abroad. After purchase, a call to a freephone number will activate the insurance cover.

Sainsbury’s Bank says customers will be able to choose between four versions of Pick’n’pay travel insurance: ten days’ European travel, 17 days’ European travel, annual European and annual worldwide. Children will be given free cover if travelling with two adults.

In April, Kate Nicholson was appointed as Sainsbury’s Bank’s first marketing director. She moved across from Sainsbury’s, where she oversaw the use of Jamie Oliver in its national advertising. (MW April 10)

In May, Sainsbury’s Bank moved its £2m media account into PHD from Universal McCann Manchester (MW May 15). At the time, the bank was preparing for an aggressive growth strategy. It already offers savings accounts, credit cards, loans, mortgages, general insurance and equity ISAs.