Iggy Pop insurer slammed by ASAAdvertising watchdog rules against Swiftcover ad

29 April 2009

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned insurance provider Swiftcover’s Iggy Pop-fronted TV advert after deeming it misleading.

Drivers are cutting back on car insurance costs

The ASA criticised the insurer for promoting a product unavailable to musicians after receiving complaints from a dozen viewers and ruled that the ad must not be shown again in its current form.

The watchdog said: ‘We noted that Swiftcover was using a well-known musician and entertainer, Iggy Pop, to promote their online car insurance service, but that their website specified they did not cover drivers working part or full-time in entertainment.’

Rocker not insured by Swiftcover

The adjudication also stated that Iggy Pop, who has helped the insurer increase its sales by almost a third in the first quarter of 2009, did not hold a policy with the company.

Swiftcover said Iggy Pop had been chosen as the face of its advertising 'because he loves life, not because he is a musician. He is an actor demonstrating the benefits of swiftcover.com.'

Insurer now covers musicians

High levels of risk and possible claim costs have been reasons cited by insurers for rejecting people employed in the entertainment industry, but Swiftcover, part of the AXA group, now says it has become one of the few providers offering policies to musicians.

To find the best car insurance for you, visit Which? Best Buy car insurance reviews.

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