Co-operative Insurance Launches First Eco Motor Insurance Product in the UK

MANCHESTER, England, May 25, 2006 -- Co-operative Insurance (CIS) has today (25th May 2006) launched the UK's first Eco motor insurance product, which contains environmentally friendly features right through from the underwriting to claims stages and also enables customers to have their say in CIS's unique ethical engagement policy.

Responding to the growing demand from consumers for ethically and environmentally sourced products CIS's Eco Insurance product includes the following distinctive features:

- Offsetting 20% of CO2 emissions for every vehicle insured under the Eco Insurance product through direct funding by CIS.

- Premium discounts for 'greener' cars.

- Environmental backed claims service.

Owners of those vehicles that do not qualify for the premium discount will still do their bit for climate change as CIS will agree to offset a percentage of the vehicles CO2 emissions at no extra cost to the customer.

The launch of Eco Insurance further reinforces CIS's ethical credentials. In addition to being the first insurer in the world to launch an ethical engagement policy in 2005, CIS has recently completed two significant renewable energy projects. It has clad the iconic CIS tower with 7,000 solar panels and established the UK's largest inner city wind farm on another building in central Manchester.

David Neave CIS' Director of General Insurance said, "Whilst many people accept that motoring is a necessary means of transport many motorists now recognise the environmental impact driving a car has on climate change. This product doesn't just help to offset the carbon emissions at outset it contributes to the management of the environmental impact throughout the entire journey."

"From our annual Ethical Consumerism Report, it is apparent that more and more consumers are becoming environmentally aware and that influences what they buy, including the purchase of cars. We now have in place a high quality product, delivered by a trusted and ethically guided insurer, that will allow customers to take that choice one step further by insuring their cars with a conscience too."

Notes to Editors:

- ISDN facilities are available for broadcast media interviews.

- Customers wanting more information on Eco Insurance should call 0845-8500160 or visit www.ecoinsurance.co.uk.

For further information contact: Duncan Bowker, Co-operative Financial Services Press Office, Tel: +44-(0)161-829-4245, Fax: +44-(0)161-829-4590, e-mail: duncan.bowker@cfs.co.uk. Julie Darroch, Co-operative Financial Services Press Office, Tel: +44-(0)161-829-5091, Fax: +44-(0)161-829-4590, e-mail: julie.darroch@cfs.co.uk