Sony Assurance to Offer Pet Insurance through Alliance with Anicom Insurance
January 15, 2009
Sony Assurance Inc., a wholly-owned non-life insurance subsidiary of Sony Financial Holdings, today announced that it will offer pet insurance beginning on January 19, 2009 in alliance with Anicom Insurance, Inc. ("Anicom Insurance").
Sony Assurance will create a new section on its website called Insurance Selection that features recommended insurance products. Pet Care 'Family', pet insurance underwritten by Anicom Insurance, will be the first insurance product featured in this section.
Customers can review Pet Care 'Family' features, coverage details and request additional materials on Sony Assurance's website. In the near future, customers will be able to sign insurance policies online through the linking of Sony Assurance's website to Anicom Insurance's Online Purchasing Service.
One of Sony Assurance's strengths is its direct business model, which facilitates close communication with its customers enabling it to meet customer needs. Often asked about pet and other types of insurance products, Sony Assurance determined that the offering of certain types of insurance products, such as pet insurance, would best be accomplished through an alliance with insurers who specialize in those products. In this way, Sony Assurance can quickly and efficiently provide coverage and services while meeting customer needs.
Insurance products featured on Insurance Selection will be researched by Sony Assurance and chosen according to their high quality of coverage and service. Furthermore, these insurance products will be compatible with Sony Assurance's direct business model, with an application process that can be completed by Internet, telephone or mail as simply as when purchasing a policy from a direct insurer.
Capitalizing on its direct business model, Sony Assurance will continue to explore alliance opportunities and enhance its product lineup in order to meet customer needs.
Pet Insurance Newly Offered
| Underwriter | Anicom Insurance, Inc. Head office: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan President and Representative Director: Nobuaki Komori Capital: ¥3.5 billion |
|---|---|
| Insurance products | Anicom Insurance, Inc. Pet Care 'Family' |
| Covered animal | Dogs and cats (10 years and 11 months old) Birds, rabbits and ferrets (7 years and 11 months old) Pet ages are at the time of underwriting, and can be renewed until 20 years and 11 months old |
| Coverage | 50% of medical costs incurred due to illness or injury. Accepted at all animal hospitals nationwide |
| Claim limitations | Up to ¥10,000 per day for hospital visits (up to 20 days a year) Up to ¥10,000 per day for hospitalization (up to 20 days a year) Up to ¥100,000 per surgery (up to twice a year) |
| Premiums | ¥23,620 annually for a 1 year old miniature dachshund *Premiums differ depending on type and age of animal. |
| Start of offering | January 19, 2009 |
Note: This is an English-language summary of a Japanese announcement made by Sony Assurance on January 15, 2009. The summary was prepared by Sony Financial Holdings Inc. solely for the convenience of non-Japanese readers.
