Springwise, one of my favorite innovation entrepreneurial blogs recently posted about Ecoinsurance, which is now available in the UK.

Ecoinsurance is the country's first 'eco-friendly insurance' and helps policyholders maintain good green karma while actually doing something to help keep the planet clean. As Springwise explains, each policy "comes with carbon offsets for 20 percent of the customer's car's CO2 emissions, based on an average passenger car with average annual mileage." At no extra charge!

Policyholders whose vehicles emit less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer (where's Peter D. with the conversion mole problems when you need him?) receive a 10 percent discount on their policy premium. Nice.

What's more, Ecoinsurance works with fellow earth-friendly auto mechanics and repair shops to make sure car parts and motor oil are properly recycled. Not only is the company talking the eco-friendly talk; they're walking the walk, too. Springwise reports that Ecoinsurance's parent company (Co-Operative Insurance) is the first insurer in the world to commit to an ethical engagement policy.

Springwise also acknowledged Travelers Insurance here in the states, for giving hybrid-driving policyholders a 10 percent discount on their insurance premiums (The only caveat: "[The discount] is only fair -- hybrid drivers are classified as lower than average risk, and are preferred customers: middle-aged, responsible and financially stable (source: USA Today).")

This is all very encouraging to me as it's important to help people be earth-friendly and make eco-friendly decisions. I hope to see American insurers following in the footsteps of Ecoinsurance. And I have a feeling the first couple of insurers who adapt this kind of business model will reap the benefits for decades to come.

(Also, I have to say, that in addition to a stellar business model, Ecoinsurance has an awesome website. It's visually joyful to look at, and it's easy to navigate. All insurers should take notice.)

Well, that's all for this week. Have a great weekend, everyone. And don't forget to check out this week's InsureMe Insurance Blog Wrap-Up, complete with great [faux] campaign ads and a special investigation by InsureMe's own Jeb Foster.

See you Monday!