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Switch energy and insurance to bag ‘free’ gym pass or flight to Greece

Paloma Kubiak
Written By:
Paloma Kubiak
Posted:
Updated:
09/01/2017

Brits staying loyal to their energy and insurance providers are missing out on nearly £150 of savings each year, the equivalent of a year’s no-thrill gym membership or a return flight to Greece.

One in five Brits said they’ve never changed energy or insurance provider, which means they’re losing out on almost £150 of savings each year.

The research by Give as you Live, a fundraising website, found that this is the equivalent of a return flight from London to Greek island Skiros, 22 days of TfL Pay As You Go travel in zone 1 and 2 of London or an 11-month gym membership at PureGym (minimum £12.99 per month).

The poll of 1,000 people found that 40% said they changed their insurance or energy provider ‘once every few years’, meaning they’re missing out on savings of around £600.

Only a quarter of those polled (23%) said they reviewed their provider ‘once a year’.

More than half are motivated to switch because they want a cheaper rate while 9% change because they’re unhappy with their current provider.

Give as you Live found that men are more likely to switch – 43% said they change providers, compared with 37% of women.

Regionally, it found that those living in Norwich, Nottingham and Newcastle are more saving-savvy while more Cardiff residents tend to stick to their providers rather than change.

Greg Hallett, managing director of Give as you Live, said: “It’s a common scenario that once we have our insurance or energy provider, we stick with them because it’s seen to be a hassle to change.

“What many don’t realise though is that it’s not as hard as you think.”

People switching through Give as you Live’s ‘Give as you Switch’ service can help raise money for charity. By comparing prices and switching, the fundraising site receives commission from the provider which it then turns into a donation for charity.