Leading high street bank HSBC entered the revolutionary world of digital television this week with the launch of a fully interactive service that sells financial products including general insurance.
As reported in Insurance Times last month, the bank will start by offering a standard household policy, with travel insurance likely to be made available late this year or early next year.
HSBC claims its household insurance will be the first fully transactional general insurance product available on digital television. It has been underwritten by CGU.
Abbey National is expected to be the next bank to launch a digital operation. Within the insurer field, it is expected that CGU will be the first in a development with software house, Policy Master.
HSBC's move also coincides with news that the Culture Secretary Chris Smith is poised to announce the end of analogue television with the switch to digital likely to take place as early as 2006.
