Tesco Gets Into Health Insurance Business

CHESHUNT, England -- The U.K.‘s leading supermarket chain, Tesco, is launching the sale of private medical insurance policies, according to press reports and the retailer‘s website. A promotion listed on the company‘s website offers the first month of coverage free. U.K. newspaper The Independent said Tesco was to start putting leaflets promoting the insurance in 1,000 stores as of yesterday. Customers can buy the policies either by phone or over the Internet. "Perceived high prices, complicated products and complex medical questionnaires have been major stumbling blocks to buying health insurance -- we aim to change that," Jeremy Sutton, head of savings and investments at Tesco Personal Finance, was quoted as saying. Tesco also offers car, home, life, pet and travel insurance.