For much of the last century, the insurance agent who called at the door weekly for insurance premiums was a feature of British working-class life. Epitomised by the “Man from the Pru”, the agents provided access to insurance for legions of families, helping them save for expenses such as funerals. With the demise of the direct sales force in the UK, it has become harder for those on lower incomes to access insurance despite data suggesting an increased risk of losses.
“I have no doubt that will have made a difference,” says Bridget McIntyre, chief executive of RSA’s UK business, and chair of the UK’s Financial Inclusion Taskforce’s working group on insurance.
