Get paid for not smoking with cashback rewards
Saving money and not smoking are two of the most common New Year's resolutions, and now with PruHealth, the insurer that rewards healthy behaviour, people will be able to do both after the launch of a first-of-its-kind cashback reward for non-smokers and ex-smokers from 1st January 2013. A 20-a-day smoker would have an extra £3,000 a year in their pockets by quitting with PruHealth.
The innovative insurer is incentivising customers to quit smoking by putting cashback in the pocket of those who show commitment to stubbing out the habit, as well as rewarding non-smokers for their healthy lifestyle choice. Customers who can prove they've kept away from the cigarettes for at least three months, as part of an annual 15 minute Vitality Health Check at one of many high street pharmacists, will receive a quarterly cashback for their good lifestyle behaviour of up to 15% of their premium, paid straight into their bank account.
The new cashback reward supplements the 75% discount already available to PruHealth customers on the ‘Allen Carr Easyway to Stop Smoking' programme - a course which has aided millions of smokers in their attempt to kick the habit.
Dr Katie Tryon, Head of Clinical Vitality at PruHealth, commented: "The new cash back is an incentive for smokers and a benefit for non-smokers. PruHealth's Vitality wellness programme is about helping people look after their mental and physical health, by encouraging and helping them to live healthily and rewarding them for doing so. Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, stroke and cancer which are some of the most prevalent health conditions. If you don't smoke, you are at less risk and therefore it makes sense that your health insurance reflects this."
Research from PruHealth highlights that 76% of smokers want to give up and 36% intend to as their New Year's resolution. In reality, despite health concerns and a whopping £2,700 a year fag-bill for the average 20-a-day smoker, giving up is often one resolution that's a struggle to keep. However, 29% of smokers say a cash incentive would help. By giving up with PruHealth, an ex-20-a-day smoker on Bronze Vitality Plus status could earn up to £100 a year, as 10% cash back on an average annual premium of around £1000 - a ‘healthy interest' on the wider savings made by quitting.
But it's not just about the rewarding smokers for giving up. PruHealth is also rewarding those who have never smoked for their good long-term health and wellness choices as well.
Dr Katie Tryon, Head of Clinical Vitality at PruHealth, commented: "On balance, it's often non-smokers who are penalised; they subsidise the healthcare costs of smokers and subsidise the wellness costs of smokers' rewards for giving up. Cashback is a simple and tangible benefit and we want to ensure non-smokers are rewarded for their good efforts, as well as those who've kept to their New Year's resolutions. It's a welcome pat on the back for everyone, particularly when times are tough."
In addition to the non-smoking cash back reward, PruHealth has also enhanced its Vitality wellness programme with the following benefits:
Home Assistance - this brand new benefit includes Personal Care Assistance and Domestic Assistance following hospitalisations exceeding 72 hours. The range of services offered includes, but is not limited to, assistance in the home including bathing and showering, cooking, and cleaning.
Discount on sports shoes from Sweatshop has increased from 25% to 50%
Launch of a new partnership with Evans Bikes, the UK's leading bike retailer, Vitality members will be able to receive a 50% discount on a new bike every 3 years
Discount on day visits at Champneys has increased from 50% to 75%
A free movie each week for each Vitality Plus Member and their dependents at all Cineworld and Vue Cinemas
A new mobile phone benefit has been introduced that offers a monthly cash rebate of up to £15.00 (based on Vitality status) on all handsets and all contracts across all networks through the UK's leading online mobile phone retailer, buymobilephones.net