Esure

Esure (usually styled as esure) is an internet and telephone based insurance company based in Reigate, Surrey, England. It also has offices in Manchester and Glasgow. esure was founded in 1999 by businessman Peter Wood, who also launched the Direct Line insurance company for the Royal Bank of Scotland.

esure is now one of the largest providers of motor insurance in the UK and also offers home, pet and travel insurance. The company focuses on lower risk customers, offering cheaper premiums for customers with a current no claims bonus for its car insurance products.

esure car insurance also incorporates Sainsbury's Car Insurance, as well as Halifax Car Insurance. First Alternative in the past offered quotes to higher risk customers, however, this has been phased out, and they now offer a similar product to esure/Sainsbury's, etc.

In 2006 Peter Wood also Launched the highly successful insurance company "Sheilas' Wheels", which is close to becoming the fastest selling insurance company in the UK. Sheilas' Wheels focuses on women drivers but does provide cover to anyone.

esure is also known for its high profile commercials with Michael Winner, used from 2002 to 2005 and resuming in 2007. The adverts spawned the phrase, "Calm down dear, it's a commercial".^[1] Winner was temporarily replaced by Mr. Mouse, a blue animated mouse character with an American accent. Mr. Mouse was designed by Sian Vickers and Chris Wilkins, who came out of retirement at the request of Peter Wood, the founder of esure. The pair were responsible for the Smash Martians as well as the four-wheeled red telephone used by Direct Line in their publicity. Mr. Mouse's catchphrases include "Insurance at mices' prices!" and "Go on, give us a click!". Mr Mouse was voiced by the actor and arts critic Kerry Shale.

On 21 November 2007, it was revealed that insurance firm esure is to replace E.ON as the sponsor of ITV National Weather bulletins. The two-year deal, rumoured to be worth £10 million, was negotiated by Carat Sponsorship and began on January 1, 2008.^[2]

Lloyds Banking Group sold its 70% stake in Esure to Esure Group Holdings, led by Peter Wood on 11 February 2010. The share was valued at around £185 million.^[3]

References

1. ^ Wilson, Giles, "Ad Breakdown: Calm down, dear. It's just a mouse that's got your job", news.bbc.co.uk. Article written 26 May 2006, retrieved 2 November 2006.
2. ^ "Esure becomes new ITV Weather sponsor". Digital Spy. November 21, 2007. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a80312/esure-becomes-new-itv-weather-sponsor.html. Retrieved 2007-11-21. 
3. ^ LLoyds sells 70% stake in Esure BBC News Online. 11 February 2010

External links

• Esure.com