Call Connection expands into over-80s market

Insurance call transfer agency Call Connection (www.callconnection.com) today announced that it is moving into the growing – and largely untapped – over-80s insurance market. The company, which buys and sells leads for some of the UK’s leading insurers, is actively seeking to partner with insurers who offer household, motor and travel insurance products and services to senior citizens.

As part of the move it has announced a partnership with specialist Castle Cover to provide insurance quotes for the over-80s, as well as other major insurers and brokers.

The UK has an ageing population. One in six people – 10m – are aged 65 or above and the average life expectancy is now 81 for women and 76 for men[1]. According to Age Concern nearly one third (29 per cent) of people aged 75+ have been refused a quote on motor or travel insurance compared to just three per cent of those aged 30-49[2]. "The higher end of this market is largely under-serviced," argues Call Connection’s founder and managing director, Graeme Kalbraier.

“As the population ages so the insurance industry needs to respond with products and services that cater for the over-80s, where traditionally it has been reluctant to offer insurance due to low premiums and high perceived risk,” said Kalbraier. “At Call Connection we want to offer choice, especially for niche markets, so we’re partnering with companies that can offer tailored solutions for the over-80s, many of whom are still active and have relatively high disposable incomes.”

This telephone based service is particularly relevant to the needs of the over-80s as it avoids the need to ring multiple insurers, trawl directories such as Yellow Pages or use the internet. Talking to friendly, UK-based staff is also a major advantage over offshored contact centres.

“Castle Cover was set up last year specifically to address the needs of the under-serviced seniors market and we’re growing rapidly as a result, already employing more than 180 people,” said Andy Cole, head of marketing for Castle Cover. “Partnering with Call Connection gives us cost-effective access to sales leads and ensures that people over 80 can now shop for the right insurance deals in a simple and hassle free way.”