Iggy Pop car insurance ads banned

Wednesday, 29 April 2009 09:45

Swiftcover has been ordered to stop using its Iggy Pop adverts after customer complaints.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled ads featuring the Lust for Life and I Wanna Be Your Dog singer must no longer be shown as Iggy claimed to have insurance from Swiftcover, when the firm did not insure entertainers.

In the advert the Stooges singer says: "I got it Swiftcovered. I got insurance on my insurance! So do it. Get a life. Get Swiftcovered."

Swiftcover, which is owned by Axa, defended its position saying Iggy was chosen for "his reputation for living life to the full and not because of his profession", adding his occupation was irrelevant.

In their defence, the car insurer described him as an actor playing the part of a customer.

However, the ASA ruled the ad was misleading as Iggy Pop did not have a policy with Swiftcover.

Since the introduction of the advert, Swiftcover reported 31 per cent increase in sales.

The firm has announced it will now start insuring musicians.

Tina Shortle, marketing director of swiftcover, said: "Iggy Pop has certainly got people talking about car insurance and our figures show that the ad campaign has raised awareness of swiftcover.com and got more people coming to us for insurance quotes.

"Many musicians contacted swiftcover after seeing Iggy in our ads and we appreciate that they were disappointed that we were not able to offer them insurance then. We are delighted that musicians can now also get 'swiftcovered'."

Today, the ASA also issued warnings over financial firms taking advantage of the recession to target those struggling.

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