“The relationship with Apple is symbiotic. We can’t develop the technology at the rate they do, and I’m not sure they would have the requisite understanding of the insurance risk,” said Vitality chief executive Neville Koopowitz.
Several technology firms including Google have previously tried to harness their wealth of personal data to challenge traditional insurers, although Mr Koopowitz sees the overlap as more of an opportunity than a threat. “One can’t say they would never enter the marketplace, but it’s a complex field,” he said.
Vitality has also penned a deal with Ocado to offer online discounts of up to 25pc on goods that the two firms pick out as healthy, in an attempt to steer customers into more virtuous shopping habits – and eventually lead to lower health insurance claims.
“What we have come to realise is we’ve seen people changing their eating behaviour if they get discounts. There’s a perception that healthy eating is expensive and that’s a barrier, as is impulse purchasing,” said Mr Koopowitz.
Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/09/26/health-insurer-bribes-customers-to-exercise-with-an-apple-watch/