| Bulletin | 09/6 |
| Batch No. | 189 |
| Ref | 12184 |
| Product | Financial |
| Advertiser | Chill.ie |
| Agency | |
| Medium | Television |
| Complaint Advertisement: The voice over stated “Finding the right insurance policy at the right price is never easy. All that time spent looking around can be really frustrating. With Chill.ie its different, we compare the market more than anyone else to find you the best policy and benefits. Like Car insurance from just €280 or up to 20% saving on your home insurance. Log on, text or call 0818302424. Its insurance made easy”. The jingle stated “Compare, quote and save without delay, log on to chill.ie today”. The footnote read “Insurers’ terms and conditions apply. Elstwell Ltd trading as Chill.ie is regulated by the Financial Regulator. Prices shown correct May 09. Calls may be recorded.” In relation to the from €280 quote, the footnote stated “Female 29, Co.Dublin, private use. Full licence 6Yrs+. Engine 1.6, 2004, €10k. 6 years no claims. Comprehensive cover. Excess €450. Includes protect no claims bonus extension. Plus €50 admin fee.” The footnote on-screen concerning the home insurance read “Min premium €206. 3 Years claims free. Building and contents required. Primary residents only. No history of subsidence, heave, landslip, liability or flood. Plus €25 admin fee.” Finally it stated on screen “Lines open 24 hours 7 days a week. Offers apply ROI only.” Complaint: The complainant considered the advertisement misleading as he did not consider that the price advertised was available. He said that having investigated quotes on the Chill.ie website for his mother he was unable to avail of the price advertised. He considered the price online misleading as an additional fee of €50 was applied to the €280 quote, therefore, this quote was unattainable which he also considered misleading. |
|
| 2006 Code | |
| 2002 Code |
|
| Response The advertisers stated that the price quoted in the advertisement referred to that of a female aged 29 from County Dublin, with car use as private, a full clean licence for six years driving a 1.6 engine car registered in 2004 and valued at €10,000, with a six years no claims history, with a comprehensive cover excess of €450 which also included a no claims bonus extension. They said that this was specifically referenced in the on screen footnote and also said that the advertisement pointed out that a €50 administration fee applied. They said that as the complainant’s criteria differed to that advertised, the premium offered also differed. They said that they are required to prepare all their advertisements in accordance with the Consumer Protection Code as laid down by the Financial Regulator which they said they comply with at all times. |
|
| Conclusion Complaint Not Upheld. The Complaints Committee considered the detail of the complaint and the advertisers’ response. The Committee noted that the footnote clearly outlined the criteria on which the quote of from €280 was based. They considered that one might only expect to obtain a similar quote were they to match such criteria. The Committee noted that the footnote clearly stated that an additional “€50 administration fee” applied. They did not consider the advertisement was likely to mislead consumers and that no contravention of the Code was involved. Action Required: No further action required. |
|