Women's Insurance

[becks]

Why oh why is it seen as discimination that women get cheaper car insurance when it is a FACT that women's claims cost less than men's? I don't want to be part of bloomin Europe and think this is wholly unfair - and I don't think it's sex discrimination anyway - it's fact. Any views?

[jimmer]

its a bit more complex than you state. In reality all things being equal a woman with a similar driving history as "the man" and living in a comparable postcode gets cheaper car insurance coz her claims are likely to be less. Ostensibly this seems fair. However, car insurance - just like any other markets - are not perfect, so market bias will apply. Now i'm just speculating here, but maybe the EC has looked at the potential for discrimination in the car insurance market a little more deeply than you and found that the market as a whole is creaming off a premium on male drivers that is anti-competitive, so it want to outlaw a practice that discriminates against a group in society. the EC is just trying to follow its remit to tackle discrimination wherever it can. Having said that, I do think that they could probably spend their time on more important subjects than the relevent cost of car insurance for men and women in the UK, but i suspect this has come to light by the usual anti-european rubbish we are fed on a daily basis by the media. my view on this is strengthened by your "i dont want to be part of bloomin europe anyway" comment. Firstly, you are already part of Europe. Are you suggesting we completly sever ties with Europe? Secondly, why is it unfair? (i.e. do you think that they will put your insurance up, or, do you just want cheeper car insurance than men?). Finally, do you read the daily mail? jim

[Oneeyedvic]

If the anti-competitive law is being flouted, what do you honestly thin kwill happen? Is there anyone who thinks male insurance premiums will come down....no just female ones will go up. The only poeple who will win are the insurance companies. In Birmingham a few months back my brother in law told me of a case where the bus companies were charging pensioners a discounted rate. Since women were classed as pensioners at 60 but men not until 65, one man complained. Okay, the bus company said, we will start the discounts for women at 65...... I for one would welcome severing ties with Europe...but that is certainly not the subject being discussed here and is probably yo big a discussion for answerbank. (and I do not read the Mail)

[swan04]

Becks, if you don't want to be in "bloomin Europe" then may I suggest you pack your bags & emigrate to money-worshipping, gun-totin' world police US of A. Fact: all decisions made in the EU must have the full support of the UK government & MEPs or else it goes nowhere. Fact: the UK championed the need for a European Union after the chaos of two world wars caused by nationalistic flag-waving jingoists with views much like your own!

[jimmer]

Oneeyeddik:one could certainly make a good argument that the male and female retirement age should be the same. As for pricing policies, I would like to see public transport subsidised through car taxes so that it is affordable for everyone. If the car insurance market is anti-competitive then the mean price of car insurance will tend to rise in disproportion to the amount of claims. legislators should deal with this through competition legislation. All the EC are trying to say is that when I buy car insurance I should be quoted based on MY driving record AND NOT males as a group. And that sonds pretty fair to me. jim

[danny83uk]

I feel it is discrimination how do you explain that I have 2 years no claims and never had an accident or any points but my partner who has no no claims and has had a �4000 claim (her fault claim) and been driving for less time than me. but her qoute on the same car (Peugeot 306 gti) is �300 cheaper than mine!! IS A JOKE women asked for equal rights they should pay equal insurance.......

[Si_D]

I tested this out. I got s quote online and �1300 was the price given. The only factor changes was sex and it dropped to under �700. If thery're going to do that then surely men should get bigger no claims discount when they prove they're safe.