Insurance first for stroke survivors through new service

The Stroke Association today announces a partnership with Heath Lambert Affinity Partnerships, a division of Heath Lambert Group, Europe's leading independent insurance and reinsurance broker. The new venture, The Stroke Association Insurance Services, will for the first time be able to offer stroke survivors access to tailored travel, household and life policies as well as motor insurance.

Stroke survivors often face difficulties in obtaining insurance following their stroke. Many have been refused travel insurance because of their medical condition, or have had trouble finding adequate household cover for specialist mobility equipment. The Stroke Association has been working closely with Heath Lambert to help them understand the insurance needs of all those affected by stroke. As a result, The Stroke Association Insurance Services is able to offer access to specially tailored products and services, and takes a more flexible and individual approach to policy provision, aiming to provide insurance to a broader range of stroke survivors than has previously been the case.

The Stroke Association Insurance Services represents a new extension to the support services currently provided by The Stroke Association. It is also expected to generate significant income for the Association, as Heath Lambert will make a donation for each policy sold. The money raised from the scheme will help fund information and community-based services to support the hundreds of thousands of people living with the effects of stroke in the UK.

"The Stroke Association receives hundreds of calls from stroke survivors who need insurance and have found it difficult to find policies that cover their condition." commented Jon Barrick, Chief Executive at The Stroke Association.

"We are therefore delighted to be working with Heath Lambert on this joint venture, and hope that The Stroke Association Insurance Services will have real practical benefit for stroke survivors as they rebuild their lives.

"Through our partnership with The Stroke Association we have gained a real insight into the insurance needs of all those affected by stroke.” commented Paul Smith, Managing Director, Heath Lambert Insurance Services.

“This has enabled The Stroke Association Insurance Services to provide meaningful support for stroke survivors, their families and carers and we are delighted to be breaking new ground for this important group of people."

For more information about The Stroke Association Insurance Services.
For further information on the policies that are provided by The Stroke Association Insurance Services call 01603 828396 or e-mail stroke@heathlambert.com

Notes to editor

1. For media enquiries, please contact the Media team at The Stroke Association on 020 7566 1500 or e-mail press@stroke.org.uk.

2. The Stroke Association Insurance Services is a division of Heath Lambert Limited. Heath Lambert Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered Office: Friary Court, Crutched Friars, London, EC3N 2NP, UK. Registered No: 1199129.

3. Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of all people who suffer from a stroke, about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left disabled and needing rehabilitation. Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition. A quarter of a million people are living with long-term disability as a result of stroke in the UK.

4. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combatting stroke in people of all ages. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include dysphasia support, family support, information services, welfare grants, publications and leaflets. We also campaign, educate and inform to increase knowledge of stroke at all levels of society and we act as a voice for everyone affected by stroke.

5. A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Most strokes occur when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Some strokes are caused by bleeding in or around the brain from a burst blood vessel. When the blood supply is disrupted, parts of the brain become damaged or destroyed. Some strokes are fatal whist others can cause permanent or temporary paralysis to one side of the body and loss of the ability to speak, read or write. Recovery may be slow and can vary from person to person.

6. Heath Lambert Affinity Partnerships, a division of Heath Lambert Insurance Services, is the market leader in the medical charity affinity insurance sector. It acts on behalf of some of the UK's biggest charities, including MS Society, Diabetes UK, National Asthma Society and the Arthritis Research Campaign. Heath Lambert was named Financial Services Supplier of the Year at the 2003 UK Charity Awards.

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