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New Decisions: Funeral Insurance, Fitness Trainers and More

PowerFit Shakes off Complaint

A television advertisement for the PowerFit vibration training device made claims about efficacy of the product, specifically toning muscles and supporting weight management. The advertisement included before and after pictures of people to illustrate the results.

A complaint was made about this advertisement, the Complainant saying some of the before and after pictures were misleading and that the images implied the product could help with skin issues.

The Advertiser responded to this complaint under the Code for Advertising Weight Management Products and Services. They stated the advertisement did not claim or imply that PowerFit can be used as a treatment for skin conditions. Substantive material supporting all claims in this advertisement (including testimonial claims and imagery) was made available to relevant television commercial vetting authorities and the advertisement is truthful, balanced and not misleading.

The Complaints Board said both images were unlikely to mislead consumers and took into account the testimonials which supported the claims in the advertisement. It said nothing in the advertisement promoted benefits to the appearance of skin with the exception of toning. The Complaints Board said the advertisement had been prepared with the requisite standard of social responsibility to consumers and society.

The Complaints Board ruled to Not Uphold the complaint.  Read more.

Cigna In The Clear

A complainant argued that a television advertisement for Cigna Funeral Insurance did not clearly state that the funeral insurance policy had to have been taken out for two years before the policy holder (or the insured) was fully covered.

Cigna’s advertisement featured a couple applying for the insurance cover. Small print on the last frame said:

“Accidental death is covered immediately. In the event of death by natural causes within the first 24 months there is a 100 percent refund of premium only.”

The Advertiser said that, following similar complaints in the past to the Advertising Standards Authority, the disclosure wording had been enlarged and was onscreen longer than in previous funeral cover advertisements.

The Complaints Board agreed the advertisement adhered to the Code for Financial Advertising by being clearly set out and with the key disclosure appearing on the final frame for five seconds. The Complaints Board stated the disclaimer was sufficiently clear and the advertisement did not meet the threshold to breach the Code of Ethics.

The Complaints Board ruled the complaint was Not Upheld.   Read more.

The following decisions were released on 1 September 2016: