Insurers must justify treating older people differently
The ABI has welcomed the Government’s plans to ban age discrimination through the Equalities Bill consultation.
The consultation proposes insurers and financial service providers to publish information that justifies treating people of different ages accordingly.
It also seeks views on ways to help people find the right insurance policy through signposting or referrals to other insurers, giving older people confidence they are getting a good deal, as well as a fair one.
An ABI spokesman said: “We welcome the findings of the report [from Oxera ] that there is no evidence of market failure of insurance; that no age group is excluded from getting cover, and that there is no evidence of overcharging of certain age groups.
“The Government recognises that access not availability is the issue. We recognise room for improvement here, and are keen to work with Government and other stakeholders to develop an effective 'signposting' system.”
Vera Baird, Solicitor General and equality bill lead minister, said:
“Older people make a strong contribution to society and it is totally wrong if they are treated unfairly. They must not be denied a full role in society. We all lose out if people are excluded and it is particularly silly to let that happen because people are getting older; it happens to us all.
“Today’s consultation is about making sure beneficial things continue, such as discounts for pensioners, while harmful age discrimination is consigned to the past.”
Today’s consultation also proposes:
• Describes the work that is being done to ensure access to health and social care services is based on need, not age.
• Proposes exceptions from the age discrimination ban to ensure other beneficial age-based activities, such as holidays for people of particular ages, can continue.
• Proposes that car hire companies should not be able to refuse to hire cars to older people
• Invites views on the timetable for implementing the age discrimination ban.
