Ethical Insurance In The UK
Which insurance providers are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Insurance Ratings Table to compare companies’ ethical scores.
Ethical Insurance In The UK
Are the biggest insurance companies in the UK ethical?
The Good Shopping Guide has been independently researching and rating brands on ethical and sustainability criteria since 2001. The UK is home to the largest insurance market in Europe and the third largest in the world — making the ethical choices of UK insurers significant on a global scale. Our Ethical Insurance Ratings Table gives consumers a clear, independently researched way to compare providers and choose one that genuinely reflects their values.
Car insurance, home insurance, pet insurance, life insurance… insurance financially protects the things that we care most about. However, how do we choose an insurance provider who aligns with our ethics? Some of the biggest insurance companies in the UK are involved in a range of unethical practices. Many invest in profitable, yet controversial, industries; investment is a key source of revenue for big UK insurance companies. So, could ethical insurance companies be the best way to protect what you care about?
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the UK insurance industry manages investments worth £1.8 trillion — equivalent to around a quarter of the UK’s total net worth. This means that every time you pay an insurance premium, the money is invested somewhere. Ensuring that it is invested ethically is therefore not just a matter of personal preference — it has real-world consequences for the environment, human rights, and the communities affected by those investments.
Several of the largest insurance providers in the UK finance sectors with significant human rights violations. This includes businesses that develop weaponry and other technologies used in conflict or in countries under repressive governments. The financing of coal power plants is another unethical investment.
However, progress is being made. Many insurers now turn towards sustainable investment for a more ethical approach to finance. Our Ethical Insurance Ratings Table allows you to compare the ethical credentials of the biggest insurance companies in the UK. You can use the information in our table to pick an ethical insurance service provider who adheres to your standards. Additionally, this table lists the insurance providers who do uphold ethical standards as well as those that don’t.
Our research findings: the shortfalls of some of the biggest insurance companies in the UK
Through their investments, several of the largest insurance companies in the UK contribute to climate change and global warming. Several insurance businesses, according to our analysis, are making progress in lowering their environmental effect, but others are seriously lagging behind.
Aviva has committed to a 25% reduction in carbon intensity of assets by 2025 and 60% by 2030. However, according to Aviva Investors’ 2025 proxy voting record, the company still held shares in coal companies including Shaanxi Coal Industry Ltd — a reminder that stated targets and actual investment portfolios do not always align. Green Insurance Group, in comparison, does not set any environmental goals, which shows a lack of interest in combating climate change.
Without having to research insurance firms’ environmental practices yourself, you can compare insurance providers using our Ethical Insurance Ratings Table. (Saves some time from searching the internet!)
The Environmental Report criteria of our methodology is how we evaluate the environmental commitments of the largest insurance companies in the UK. Due to Aviva’s demanding climate goals, the company receives a top ethical rating for ethical insurance companies; Green Insurance Group, on the other hand, only obtains a poor rating since it has no sustainability objectives.
Additionally, our research revealed that some of the largest insurance providers in the UK fall short when it comes to treating clients fairly. In certain instances, these businesses even violate fundamental human rights. If you’re seeking ethical insurance providers who deal fairly with their clients, we advise staying away from the businesses that are rated poorly under our People criteria.
Bupa, one of the largest health insurance providers in the UK, has come under fire multiple times in both the UK and Australia for failing to uphold standards of care at a number of nursing homes. The Care Quality Commission found that Bupa had put the health and safety of elderly people in its care homes at risk.
Greenwashing and the insurance industry
Greenwashing — where companies make misleading or exaggerated claims about their environmental credentials — is an increasingly pressing concern in the insurance sector. In 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced its anti-greenwashing rule, requiring all sustainability claims made by UK financial firms to be accurate, clear, and verifiable. This applies directly to insurance providers who make environmental commitments in their marketing or investment policies. The gap between stated ambitions and actual practice — as illustrated by Aviva’s continued coal investments despite its climate targets — is precisely the kind of issue these regulations are designed to address. When assessing insurance providers, look beyond headline sustainability claims and check for independently verified evidence of ethical investment practices. Our Ethical Insurance Ratings Table provides exactly this kind of independently researched, transparent comparison.
Sustainable investment: the way forward for ethical insurance and investment companies
Insurance firms are evolving for the better, despite the progress still required. To raise their ethical standards, some of the largest insurance companies in the UK are increasingly using sustainable investment plans. Sustainable investment is an approach that aims to have a positive impact on the Environment, Animals, and People.
You can find out more about this in our Ethical Investment article, which outlines the benefits of sustainable investment and its increasing popularity within the Finance sector.
We assess how the biggest insurance companies in the UK are contributing to sustainable investment in our Responsible Investment Policy criterion. This category evaluates if businesses are making pledges to increase sustainable investments and whether they are involved in unethical projects, such as in weaponry and fossil fuels.
We advise choosing from businesses with the highest ratings for their responsible investment practices because those with the lowest ratings have shown little interest in making investments that are sustainable.
If you want to be certain that your insurance provider meets a high ethical standard, choose a company that has been awarded our Ethical Accreditation.
Ethical finance: the bigger picture
Your choice of insurance provider is just one part of your broader financial footprint. The Good Shopping Guide has been independently rating financial services brands since 2001. If you want to apply the same ethical scrutiny to other areas of your finances, our Ethical Banking Ratings Table and Ethical Investment Ratings Table compare banks and investment providers on the same Environment, Animals and People criteria. For businesses in the financial services sector that want their ethical credentials independently recognised, find out more about The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation.
See our Ethical Insurance Ratings Table to compare brands offering home insurance, car insurance and travel insurance and our Ethical Pet Insurance Table to compare brands offering pet insurance.
Our team of researchers has conducted extensive analysis and investigation into the thousands of brands that appear on our Ethical Ratings Tables. Click on any brand name to read a comprehensive article on that brand’s history, ethics and sustainability policies and practices.
Arma Karma, ETA, Naturesave, Hastings Direct, Ageas, Agrea, Churchill, Direct Line, Aviva, General Accident, More Than, Quote Me Happy, Intact, Admiral, Diamond, Elephant, Express Insurance Services, NFU Mutual, Swinton, Jaunt, John Lewis, AA, Ansvar, Budget Insurance, Dial Direct, Bupa, Ecclesiastical, The Co-operative Insurance, Zurich, AXA, Allianz, LV=(Liverpool Victoria)
Are the biggest insurance companies in the UK ethical?
Many of the largest insurance companies in the UK fall short on ethical standards. Several invest in industries associated with significant human rights violations, including weapons development and the financing of coal power plants. The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table allows consumers to compare providers based on their environmental commitments, investment practices, and treatment of customers, making it easier to identify truly ethical options.
How do insurance companies contribute to climate change?
Many large insurance companies contribute to climate change through the investments they make with policyholders’ premiums. Some are making progress — Aviva, for example, has committed to significant reductions in the carbon intensity of its investment portfolio. Others have set no measurable environmental targets at all. The GOOD Shopping Guide evaluates these commitments through its Environmental Report criterion in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
What is sustainable investment in insurance?
Sustainable investment is an approach aimed at generating positive outcomes for the Environment, Animals, and People, rather than purely maximising financial returns. For insurance providers, this means avoiding exposure to harmful sectors such as fossil fuels and weapons manufacturing. The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Responsible Investment Policy criterion assesses whether providers are making meaningful commitments to sustainable and ethical investment practices.
Do insurance companies treat customers fairly?
Not all insurance companies uphold adequate standards of customer care. The GOOD Shopping Guide found that some of the largest providers fall short under its People criteria. Bupa, for instance, has faced repeated criticism in both the UK and Australia regarding standards at its nursing homes, including findings by the Care Quality Commission that elderly residents’ health and safety had been put at risk.
How can I find the most ethical insurance provider?
The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table compares major insurance providers across key criteria, including environmental reporting, responsible investment, and treatment of customers. For the highest assurance that your insurer meets robust ethical standards, look for providers that hold Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide — these companies have demonstrated a genuine commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Does my choice of insurance provider have an ethical impact?
Choosing an insurance provider is not purely a financial decision — it also carries ethical implications. Insurance companies invest large sums of premium income, and those investments can support or harm the environment, communities, and human rights worldwide. By consulting The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table, you can ensure that the provider you choose aligns with your own values and ethical priorities.
Is Arma Karma an ethical insurance provider?
Arma Karma sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table and holds Ethical Accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. The brand performs strongly across all key criteria. As an Ethical Innovator and a recognised ethical business, Arma Karma stands out as one of the most responsible insurance providers currently available to consumers in the UK.
Is ETA an ethical insurance provider?
ETA sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table and holds Ethical Accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. The brand receives top ratings across all assessed criteria, including environmental reporting, responsible investment policy, and brand ethics, confirming its position as one of the most ethical and sustainability-focused insurance providers available to UK consumers.
Is Naturesave an ethical insurance provider?
Naturesave sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table and holds Ethical Accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. The brand performs strongly across all assessed criteria, including environmental reporting, carbon disclosure, and responsible investment. Naturesave’s Ethical Accreditation confirms its position as one of the most responsible insurance providers available in the UK.
Is Zixty an ethical insurance provider?
Zixty sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table and holds Ethical Accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. The brand performs strongly across all key criteria. As an Ethical Innovator, Zixty is recognised for advancing responsible practice within the insurance sector and represents a leading choice for ethically minded consumers.
Is Aviva an ethical insurance provider?
Aviva sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table and holds Ethical Accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. The brand performs well across environmental and governance criteria, though it falls short in irresponsible lending and there is room for improvement in its responsible investment policy. As an Ethical Innovator, Aviva is recognised for its commitment to progressive sustainability practices within the insurance industry.
Is General Accident an ethical insurance provider?
General Accident sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table and holds Ethical Accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. The brand performs well across environmental and governance criteria, though it falls short in irresponsible lending and there is room for improvement in its responsible investment policy. As an Ethical Innovator, General Accident is recognised for its commitment to progressive sustainability practices.
Is Quote Me Happy an ethical insurance provider?
Quote Me Happy sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table and holds Ethical Accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices. The brand performs well across environmental and governance criteria, though it falls short in irresponsible lending and there is room for improvement in its responsible investment policy. As an Ethical Innovator, Quote Me Happy is recognised for its commitment to progressive sustainability practices.
Is Hastings Direct an ethical insurance provider?
Hastings Direct sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well across environmental reporting, carbon disclosure, responsible investment policy, and other key criteria, receiving strong ratings throughout. If Hastings Direct were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to a wider consumer audience.
Is Urban Jungle an ethical insurance provider?
Urban Jungle sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in responsible investment policy and scores positively across people and other criteria, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting. If Urban Jungle were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to consumers.
Is Ageas an ethical insurance provider?
Ageas sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental destruction, carbon disclosure, and irresponsible lending, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and responsible investment policy. If Ageas were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to a wider consumer audience.
Is Ansvar an ethical insurance provider?
Ansvar sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental destruction, carbon disclosure, and irresponsible lending, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and responsible investment policy. If Ansvar were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Ecclesiastical an ethical insurance provider?
Ecclesiastical sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental destruction, carbon disclosure, and irresponsible lending, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and responsible investment policy. If Ecclesiastical were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to consumers.
Is NFU Mutual an ethical insurance provider?
NFU Mutual sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental reporting, carbon disclosure, and irresponsible lending, though it falls short on its responsible investment policy. If NFU Mutual were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to a wider consumer audience.
Is Admiral an ethical insurance provider?
Admiral sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental destruction, carbon disclosure, and irresponsible lending, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and it falls short on its responsible investment policy. If Admiral were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Budget Insurance an ethical insurance provider?
Budget Insurance sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in carbon disclosure, irresponsible lending, and responsible investment policy, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and other criticisms. If Budget Insurance were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Dial Direct an ethical insurance provider?
Dial Direct sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in carbon disclosure, irresponsible lending, and responsible investment policy, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and other criticisms. If Dial Direct were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Diamond an ethical insurance provider?
Diamond sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental destruction, carbon disclosure, and irresponsible lending, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and it falls short on its responsible investment policy. If Diamond were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Elephant an ethical insurance provider?
Elephant sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental destruction, carbon disclosure, and irresponsible lending, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and it falls short on its responsible investment policy. If Elephant were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Express Insurance Services an ethical insurance provider?
Express Insurance Services sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in carbon disclosure, irresponsible lending, and responsible investment policy, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and other criticisms. If Express Insurance Services were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Jaunt an ethical insurance provider?
Jaunt sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in carbon disclosure, irresponsible lending, and responsible investment policy, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and other criticisms. If Jaunt were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to consumers.
Is More Than an ethical insurance provider?
More Than sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in environmental destruction, carbon disclosure, and irresponsible lending, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and it falls short on its responsible investment policy. If More Than were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Swinton an ethical insurance provider?
Swinton sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand performs well in carbon disclosure, irresponsible lending, and responsible investment policy, though there is room for improvement in environmental reporting and other criticisms. If Swinton were to apply for Ethical Accreditation, this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to consumers.
Is Churchill an ethical insurance provider?
Churchill sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in environmental reporting and carbon disclosure, it falls short in irresponsible lending and responsible investment policy. Consumers seeking insurance providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Direct Line an ethical insurance provider?
Direct Line sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in environmental reporting and carbon disclosure, it falls short in irresponsible lending and responsible investment policy. Consumers seeking insurance providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Intact Insurance an ethical insurance provider?
Intact Insurance sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs adequately in environmental destruction and carbon disclosure, it falls short in responsible investment policy and scores only acceptably in environmental reporting, irresponsible lending, and political donations. Consumers seeking providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is John Lewis an ethical insurance provider?
John Lewis sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in environmental reporting, carbon disclosure, and responsible investment policy, it falls short in other criticisms, having attracted multiple public record criticisms. Consumers seeking insurance providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Bupa an ethical insurance provider?
Bupa sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in carbon disclosure and responsible investment policy, it falls short in environmental reporting and has attracted multiple public record criticisms, including concerns raised by the Care Quality Commission regarding standards of care at its nursing homes. Consumers can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is The Co-operative Insurance an ethical insurance provider?
The Co-operative Insurance sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in environmental reporting, carbon disclosure, and responsible investment policy, it falls short in political donations and has attracted multiple public record criticisms. Consumers seeking providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Zurich an ethical insurance provider?
Zurich sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in environmental reporting and carbon disclosure, it falls short in irresponsible lending, political donations, and responsible investment policy. Consumers seeking insurance providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is RAC an ethical insurance provider?
RAC sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in carbon disclosure and responsible investment policy, it falls short in political donations and has attracted multiple public record criticisms. Consumers seeking insurance providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is AA an ethical insurance provider?
AA sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in carbon disclosure and responsible investment policy, it falls short in irresponsible lending, political donations, and other criticisms. Consumers seeking insurance providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is AXA an ethical insurance provider?
AXA sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. While the brand performs well in environmental reporting and carbon disclosure, it falls short across multiple areas, including irresponsible lending, political donations, and responsible investment policy, and has attracted additional lending criticisms. Consumers seeking providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Allianz an ethical insurance provider?
Allianz sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several key criteria, including environmental destruction, irresponsible lending, political donations, responsible investment policy, and other criticisms. Consumers seeking insurance providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
Is LV= (Liverpool Victoria) an ethical insurance provider?
LV= (Liverpool Victoria) sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Insurance Ethical Ratings Table. The brand falls short across several key criteria, including environmental destruction, irresponsible lending, political donations, responsible investment policy, and other criticisms. Consumers seeking insurance providers that meet The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark can find significantly more responsible alternatives in the Insurance Ethical Ratings Table.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.