The Good Shopping Guide has unveiled its latest Ethical Insurance Ratings, offering what it considers to be a revealing glimpse into how insurance providers fare on its moral ledger - from climate policy to corporate conduct. The results range from what it calls commendable to deeply concerning, offering its readers an important yardstick as they weigh their options in a market not typically known for transparency.
Topping the table with impeccable scores of 100 out of 100 are Arma Karma, ETA Insurance, and Zixty. These providers, each of which has achieved full Ethical Accreditation, demonstrate exemplary performance across environmental responsibility, investment ethics, and treatment of people. Their commitment to eschewing fossil fuel finance, supporting climate-positive initiatives, and avoiding political donations distinguishes them as gold standards in a sector often marred by opacity.
Naturesave, long regarded as a pioneer of ethical insurance, also performed strongly, attaining a score of 96. The provider continues to support environmental causes and sustainability through its underwriting and charitable giving.
In the mainstream market, Aviva and its offshoots, Quote Me Happy and General Accident, each scored 92. Aviva has pledged to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040 and refuses to make political contributions — commendable steps in a capital-heavy industry. However, the group’s rating was dented slightly due to associations with controversial lending practices and investment portfolios.
By contrast, a number of household-name insurers scored alarmingly low. At the foot of the table were LV= and Allianz, each managing a meagre 18 out of 100. Both were criticised for opaque reporting, failure to rule out investment in harmful industries such as fossil fuels and arms, and for lacking credible environmental or social governance policies.
Zurich, a major global brand, fared little better with a score of 33. While it has made some commitments to sustainability in public statements, it has yet to meet the threshold for Ethical Accreditation. The same score was awarded to The AA, due in part to political donations and investments inconsistent with environmental protection.
AXA followed closely with a score of 32, weighed down by controversies over Israeli military-linked investments and a dearth of climate-related disclosures. The Co-operative Insurance, once viewed as a socially responsible choice, scored 46, with marks lost for its ownership structure and diminished ethical policy commitments since its banking scandal a decade ago.
These rankings arrive at a time when the corporate world may, in fact, be stepping back from a wholehearted pursuit of the social and environmental impact of financial services.
A spokesperson for The Good Shopping Guide commented: “Our goal is to reward insurers that actively contribute to a better world — whether through green investments, people-first policies, or transparent governance — and to highlight those who have serious work to do.”
The full rankings and criteria are available at thegoodshoppingguide.com.
