Press Release

Equality Bill must focus on genuine discrimination, not on insurance, says the ABI

27 April 2009

The Equality Bill published today must avoid imposing any restrictions on the use of age by insurers, warns the ABI. Artificial age restrictions will only mean higher insurance costs and less choice.

Commenting on publication of the Bill, Nick Starling, the ABI's Director of General Insurance and Health, said:

"Insurers oppose unfair discrimination. But outlawing the use of age would lead to higher insurance costs for all customers, as insurers would have insufficient information to fully assess the risk, and less choice for consumers.

"We dispute the Government's claim that one in five older people have trouble getting motor or household insurance. Our research shows that 99% of older customers can obtain motor insurance, with 98% able to buy travel insurance. We will be monitoring secondary legislation carefully to ensure that insurers remain able to offer competitively priced products to all ages."