A new company called Text2Insure plans to revolutionise the way insurance is sold in the UK by being the first to sell via SMS text messaging. The service is available through a regular mobile phone and promises to provide quotes to your phone within 60 seconds. The company started selling Hastings Direct-branded travel insurance through this new channel late yesterday afternoon and plans to expand into other forms of general insurance in the future.

The text messaging service will be available to all people with a 2G phone. However, Text2Insure is looking to develop it further to enhance the payment system so that transactions can be completed and policies viewed over WAP. The SMS and WAP service will be provided by MPP Global Solutions.

You can, for example, obtain travel insurance quotes to your mobile phone by texting 'INSURE' to 61066. A text will then be sent back asking for the following information: the number of days your need cover for; whether you need cover for a European or Worldwide trip; your age; and whether you are looking for an individual or family policy. An example text response would be: '7E36I'.

A quote should then be generated automatically from Text2Insure's database and sent back to your phone within 60 seconds. You can then purchase the cover by texting back 'BUY' with your name and departure date. You should then receive a call from the company's call centre within 10 minutes requesting credit or debit payment details. As soon as the payment has been made, a final text is sent to your phone confirming your cover. Those wishing to check their policy will be given a Web address where you can log on and view your policy online.

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