Simple general insurance products will soon be available over the counter at Woolworths supermarkets. The major retailer is understood to be negotiating with the Commonwealth Bank to expand their financial services partnership to make general insurance products available before the end of the year.

The Ezy Banking joint venture was set up early last year to provide simple banking services through Woolworths. A decision to include personal lines insurance policies and possibly travel insurance reflects the success of similar operations in Europe.

FSRB considerations aside, the two companies are also understood to be discussing making available such wider financial services products as mortgages, although European experience has shown that consumers are reluctant to buy major financial services-type products through retail outlets.

Another company planning to use its market power to introduce insurance products is Ford Australia. It announced that it will launch its own comprehensive car insurance package, Ford Insure, underwritten by NRMA subsidiary SGIO. Ford Australia President Jeff Polites said the company needs to bring more services to its customers in one operation. The new policy will include a 24-hour hotline, hire car option, lifetime repair guarantee, paperless sales and claims processes and a choice of excess options.