Lots of sites TALK about the Life Assurance component of ISAs but
whenever I have investigated, I have only found offers for the other
types (Cash & Equity).

I already have a Mini ISA Cash and I DON'T want a Mini ISA Equity. 

The Life Assurance ISAs are limited to a £1,000 and have to provide a
minimum Surrender Value. They are being withdrawn in April 2005.

Maybe I should invest £1,000 - if I could find one?

Ideally, the Researcher will trawl the market and identify several
that I can investigate at my leisure.

Comments from learned Commenters would also be appreciated.

Any Answer or Comment will not be construed as 'Investment Advice'.

Many thanks!

---

Request for Question Clarification by leli-ga on 20 Feb 2005 01:25 PST

Hi Bryan!

The first useful page I found suggests that almost none of the few
Life ISAs available actually meet the voluntary CAT standard which is
supposed to protect surrender value. With a CATmark, the value after 3
years is meant to be "at least equal to the premiums paid in" and
charges should be under 3 per cent per year.

Which magazine reported that only one scheme met the CAT criteria; the
BBC and The Times found two life ISAs with a CATmark.

Do you want to go on?

Best wishes - Leli

---

Clarification of Question by probonopublico-ga on 20 Feb 2005 03:23 PST

Hi, Leli

Nice to see you again ...

YES ... Please go for it!

Many thanks

Bryan

Thanks Bryan - nice to see you too.

These life assurance ISAs are scarce, aren't they?

You may want to start by reading this page from the Druids Sheffield
Friendly Society:
http://www.druidsfriendly.com/pages/papers.htm

Of course they're promoting their own product, but the quotes from the
press are still helpful.

You may also want to read a section on insurance ISAs in a booklet
produced by "Moneywise":

"The least popular member of the ISA clan is on its way out after
April. So should you take advantage of it this year?"
Feb - March 2005 Page 23
http://www.moneywise.co.uk/download/1877277/A%20Guide%20to%20ISAs.pdf


List of life insurance ISAs
===========================

Druids Sheffield Friendly Society mini insurance ISA 
http://www.druidsfriendly.com/pages/savingst45.htm

Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Life ISA 
http://www.liverpoolvictoria.co.uk/customer/saving_investment/isa/isa_life.htm

Forester Life Mini insurance Individual Savings Account 
http://www.forester.co.uk/financial/investmentsdetail.asp?ProductID=46

CIS Individual Savings Accounts
http://www.cis.co.uk/servlet/Satellite?cid=1074167823933&pagename=CIS%2FPage%2FtplPageStandardCIS&c=Page

"NFU Mutual Shrewd Savings Plan is an Insurance ISA"
http://www.nfumutual.co.uk/you/investments/tax-free/shrewd-savings-plan/

Nottingham Friendly Society Insurance ISA
No direct link, but click on 'products' then a picture of a chimpanzee
beside the words "Individual Savings Account".
http://www.nottinghamfriendly.co.uk/

Scottish Friendly: "The Bonus ISA is our mini insurance ISA."
http://www.scottishfriendly.co.uk/products/friendlybonus.html

Homeowners Insurance ISA 
http://www.homeowners.co.uk/partner_product.htm

Axa Isas
(Click on 'range of funds' and hope for the best. I could only get a
'page unavailable' message.)
http://www.axa.co.uk/consumer/investments/index.html

Healthy Investment Insurance ISA
http://www.rechabite.co.uk/productsinglepremiumisa.asp


" . . . the number of companies offering the insurance version barely
reaches double figures. And that figure falls each year. Can you
remember the last time you saw any of those companies admit to
offering an insurance ISA? No wonder so few people want to be seen
with them . . ."
http://www.channel4.com/4money/banking/guides/insurance_ISA_guide_271003_page2.html


Hope this helps you make up your mind!

You know you're welcome to ask if something needs clarification.

Best wishes - Leli


As well as getting help from the Druids and Moneywise I used this list:
http://www.ifabonus.co.uk/researchinsiSA.htm

I checked out these companies which apparently once had life insurance
ISAs but don't any more:

"Family Assurance has changed its name to Family Investments" 
http://www.family.co.uk/

Abbey National
http://www.abbey.com/documents/factsheets/tax_free_savings.pdf

Tunbridge Wells Equitable - now Children's Mutual
http://www.thechildrensmutual.co.uk/

Main google search:

"life OR insurance isa OR isas" friendly
://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22%22life+OR+insurance+isa+OR+isas%22+friendly&btnG=Google+Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

Brilliant, Leli, Very Many Thanks.

Exactly what I was hoping for and more!

Now, you can go out and enjoy a wee glass of Irish Whisky ... You do
like Irish Whisky, I hope?

All the Best

Bryan the Sassenach

Bryan, you'll probably know all the details mentioned here:

"On the 6 April 2005 the ISA rules are changing and from that date - "
http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/isa/bulletin17.htm#3


I suppose this doesn't help:
"HSBC does not offer a life insurance option"
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/savings-investments/isa/guide

Hi, Freddy

Very many thanks for your links but I'm sure Leli is going to dig something up.

All the Best

Bryan

Thank you very much!

Very kind of you. 

Glad I could help.

I'll certainly raise a glass to toast your health - but it may not be
a wee hauf - more likely a wee drop wine.

Thanks again - Leli