Cover-More rejects cash-for-comment accusation
Travel insurer Cover-More has responded to claims by rival SureSave that it engaged in "questionable conduct" by offering customers the opportunity to earn cash rewards for lodging reviews on a product review website about positive experiences they had in dealing with Cover-More.
SureSave said this week it had reported CoverMore to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) for misconduct.
In its response, issued through a PR company, Cover-More "expressed disappointment at the unnecessary and meaningless accusations made against Australia’s leading travel insurance company".
Cover-More Group CEO, Peter Edwards said he "completely rejected" any claim by SureSave that Cover-More had engaged in any misleading behaviour.
Edwards went on: "Their claim was purely calculated to damage Cover-More’s reputation and our lawyers responded to their concerns last week.
"They are upset about an internal staff training document we prepared in September which showed the significant advantages of Cover-More travel insurance against other products in the market.
"It was factually correct at that point in time and was not intended for dissemination to travel agents."
Edwards, in the statement, also rejected SureSave’s further accusations of questionable conduct.
"We recently invited our customers to share their stories on the Product Review website in a promotion which complied with Australian regulatory requirements.
"These are real stories and real experiences from real people. The accusation that these are ‘cash for comments’ is completely disrespectful to the Australians who shared their stories.
"This is shabby, irresponsible behaviour from SureSave and they should be ashamed of themselves.
"This is a simple act of grandstanding by a competitor," Edwards added.
Ian Jarrett
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