25 Apr 2024

Life’s Cheaper For Vegetarians

There’s a new Vegetarian Term Life policy out, which rewards non-meat eaters by the way of savings in life insurance premiums. Insurers in general haven’t been rewarding this healthier way of life but its thought they’ll soon catch up. After all, in the insurer’s opinion, vegetarians are much less likely to fall prey to some of the serious conditions which lead to the shortening of lives.

The Vegetarian Society report that there are many health advantages to vegetarianism, including a decreased chance of developing gall-stones, kidney stones, diet-related diabetes and raised blood pressure. When it comes to cancer, the risks of some are lessened by around 40 per cent and there’s a 30 per cent less risk of heart disease.

Food poisoning is much less likely to occur and the chance of contracting the human form of Mad Cow Disease is very much reduced.

This particular policy, through Animal Friends Insurance, is underwritten by the Liverpool Victoria Life Company and it’s offering a 25 per cent reduction on premiums for the first 12 months.

Animal Friends Insurance is run by Elaine and Chris Fairfax, from West Sussex and they’re giving up the commission to fund the offer, in addition to promising that all profits to animal welfare. correct as of (12/10/2010)

Chris Fairfax stated “In simple terms, vegetarians live longer and are healthier throughout their lifetimes.” The Fairfax’s believe that a vegetarian lifestyle is of equal importance to things like smoking and drinking habits and family history when insurers are deciding premiums. They say that “there is plenty of clear factual evidence to demonstrate the health benefits of being a vegetarian which should be recognised across the insurance industry”

A study, taken over 12 years, of 11,000 people, showed that vegetarians clearly have a lesser mortality rate in many major areas than non-vegetarians.
Despite all the evidence that people following this regime suffer markedly less from chronic disease, it is surprising that the insurance industry in general has not “sat up and taken notice.”

By working with the Liverpool Victoria, the Fairfax couple are able to bring some advantage to vegetarians via their discount reward.

UK vegetarians are thought to number around 4 million, but it’s thought that some are not completely faithful to the regime. It appears that the wonderful aroma of bacon butty can cause the strongest to weaken. Maybe a “confessional” will be needed, and monthly premiums will have to be adjusted accordingly!

The Vegetarian Society are pleased by the move and see it as an important first step. They’re hoping that other insurers will follow the lead and acknowledge the fact that vegetarians are less likely to suffer an early death from cancer and heart disease.

For all those reading this article prior to going out for a wonderful Sunday lunch and all ready to enjoy their roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings, maybe the questions to ask is

“Do vegetarians live longer or does it just seem that way?”

The answer is “Sorry, but it seems to be true!”

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