Pokémon Go could give your clients better premiums

The latest gaming app from Nintendo has taken the world by storm, using GPS to place Pokémon around our world and encouraging its users to get outdoors and see the big wide world rather than sit in front of a TV screen with a console controller in hand.

While some would argue it’s still encouraging the same game-centric lifestyle, health and wellness professional Brenda Bodenmiller (Premier Health Living) commented: “Players are getting up off the couch to exercise more than just their thumbs. That’s the beauty and genius of Pokémon Go. It’s drawing gamers outdoors because they enjoy playing the game”.

The game requires players to explore their surroundings and warns them to be alert and aware at all times.

It may sound funny for an app to carry such a warning; however there have already been several incidents of injury as a result of gamers looking down at their screens trying to “Catch ’em all”.

If clients have an insurance policy through VitalityLife, playing Pokémon Go could actually help them to live a healthy lifestyle Paul Reed

Like anything that involves outdoor activity, you can risk seriously hurting yourself; however broken bones, sunburn and walking into windows could easily be avoided by following the game’s terms of service.

It advises its users: “Be aware of your surroundings and play safely.

“You agree your use of the App and play of the game is at your own risk, and it is your responsibility to maintain such health, liability, hazard, personal injury, medical, life, and other insurance policies as you deem reasonably necessary for any injuries that you may incur while using the services.”

‘How does this affect insurance?’, I hear you cry…

I’m sure we’re all aware of the concept of having a life insurance policy in place: to provide loved ones with a portion of money which, in the event of your death, would be paid out to loved ones help them continue life with some financial security.

It’s a fairly black-and-white situation and the benefit is mainly limited to a single event.

There are other poicies too that provide either a monthly benefit or lump sum in the event of a critical illness, or being off work for an extended period of time due to an accident, sickness, illness or injury (income protection).

One insurer though has looked to reward or incentivise those who try to live a healthier lifestyle by providing additional, tangible benefits as a result of having insurance.

VitalityLife have a wide range of products which gives discounts and rewards to its policy holders for actively leading a healthy life. This can range from discounted gym membership, free cinema tickets, a free Starbucks every week, as well as many others.

Their philosophy is that it’s a lot easier to improve your health when you have a bit of encouragement. As a result, you earn points for doing healthy things, and watching your points build up will make sure you always feel like you‘re making progress.

The healthier and more active you are, the more points you can earn. By earning points, you can work up from Bronze to Silver, then Gold and finally Platinum.

Depending on the plan and Vitality status, an individual’s insurance premiums can actually reduce, as well as get up to £100 cashback at the end of every year.

So, if your clients have an insurance policy through VitalityLife, playing Pokémon Go could actually help them to live a healthy lifestyle, earn them rewards, and save them money. Not convinced? Contact us here.

Now…where’s that Pikachu gone…?

Paul Reed is protection specialist and co-founder of Cardiff-based Vita

This blog was slightly redacted and published with permission of Paul Reed.