Advertisment
The advertisement stated
“VHI Healthcare
10% Group Scheme discount on VHI Lifestage Choices Healthcare plans.”
Complaint
The complainant stated that as an incentive to join/renew membership, Tipperary Supporters Club advertised a Membership Card which offered the incentive of a 10% Discount on VHI Health Insurance Policies. They said this offer had been in place for a number of years, but the VHI organisation confirmed that no such arrangement existed. The complainant said that they felt that the advertisement was a misrepresentation of fact.
Response
The advertisers said they had investigated this with VHI. They said they understood that the discount was no longer available. They said when they became aware of this information, they removed the reference to the discount on their website and anywhere else it appeared. The advertisers said they regretted any inconvenience caused because of this genuine misunderstanding.
Further Information:
The ASAI Executive having checked the advertisers’ website, noted that the discount claim had not been removed. This was brought to the advertisers’ attention, but no further correspondence was received. The discount offer was still promoted on the website on the 15th March.
Conclusion
Complaint Upheld.
The Complaints Committee considered the detail of the complaint and the advertisers’ response.
The Committee noted that the claim concerning the health insurance discount had been accepted as incorrect. The Committee noted, however, that at the time of adjudication the claim had not been withdrawn, They considered that the advertising was likely to mislead consumers and was in breach of Sections 4.1 and 4.4 of the Code.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The advertisement must not reappear in its current form.
