Sky has announced the launch of an innovative smart home protection service, offering customers comprehensive home insurance and smart home tech that work together in one simple app.
The Sky Protect Smart Home Insurance package is underwritten by Zurich Insurance and features a suite of smart home tech products including a video doorbell, indoor camera, leak detectors, motion sensor and contact sensors, all accessible via the Sky Protect app. The package incorporates Defaqto rated 5* insurance, home emergency cover which includes access to trusted tradespeople, as well as legal and cyber cover as standard.
Sky Protect is the latest product to join its portfolio across TV, broadband, mobile and streaming. The UK home insurance market has been highlighted by Sky as a major opportunity for Sky as it continues to diversify.
Stephen van Rooyen, chief executive officer of Sky UK & Ireland and chief commercial officer of Sky Group, said: “At Sky, we have a heritage in entering new markets and shaking them up, and we’re about to do the same with home insurance. We already make people’s lives easier at home through our TV, broadband and mobile services and with Sky Protect, we’ll be able to take the pain out of home insurance. From a simpler quotation process, to value you can see every day and great tech, all working together in the Sky Protect app. We believe people deserve better when it comes to home protection – so we’re going to give it to them.”
Tim Bailey, Zurich’s UK CEO, said: “Zurich is already developing new digital products and services to meet the evolving needs of our customers. This new partnership combines Zurich’s expertise and trusted insurance brand with Sky’s technology and significant customer reach, to help more people better protect their homes. By combining smart home technology with insurance, Sky Protect aims to prevent losses and provide financial peace of mind, should the unexpected happen.”
Research from Sky shows that over a quarter (27%) of those polled are considering purchasing new smart technology this year, with over a third (38%) citing the reasons for this as making them feel safer when away from home, allowing them to protect their home from intruders (33%) as well as increasing energy efficiency and saving money (28%).
The Sky Protect app combines everything in one place for customers, whether it’s viewing an insurance policy, checking indoor camera feeds or a video doorbell camera, or getting access to recommended home emergency help. Customers will also get automated alerts via the app, and nominated emergency contacts will get SMS alerts for leak alerts, providing added peace of mind.
