| Author (Person) | Chapman, Peter |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.10, No.28, 29.7.04 |
| Publication Date | 29/07/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Peter Chapman Date: 29/07/04 EUROPEAN Commission plans to ban EU insurance companies from discriminating against men or women when they set premiums suffered another blow after a majority of member states rebuffed a Dutch presidency effort to press ahead with the idea. The Dutch tabled modified proposals at a meeting of diplomats last week that would have banned the use of sex-based factors in policy premiums and benefits - as part of a directive outlawing sex discrimination in the supply of goods and services. The insurance ban would cover all new business concluded two years after the directive enters into force - for policies from car insurance to retirement products. Governments would also be given the right to put off implementation for a further five years, provided they notify the Commission and provide up-to-date information - such as mortality rates - justifying the differences in treatment between the sexes. The Commission's original plan would have allowed a six-year phase-in. The Dutch also proposed setting up a working group of insurance industry, consumers and national experts to re-examine the use of sex-based data. This group would report back to the Commission on is findings - and the EU executive would then have the option of launching a follow-up law allowing sex-based factors to be taken into account by insurers. Insurers argue that men and women have different risk profiles that should be factored into the cost of cover. For example, female drivers are safer than men, particularly in the younger age ranges. However, European Voice has learned that only nine member states - Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta and Sweden - signalled their support for the Dutch proposal. Insurance industry sources said the plan was too close to the Commission's original proposals. The pressure is now on the presidency to reach a compromise. One idea touted by Spain and backed by Germany, the UK, Ireland, Latvia, Hungary, Austria, Portugal and Finland is to insist on insurers providing "objective justification" for differences in the way they treat men and women. The Commission would review the workings of the law three years after adoption. Diplomats meet on 7 September to try to thrash out a solution to the issue. The law needs the unanimous support of states to be adopted. European Commission plans to ban EU insurance companies from discriminating against men or women when they set premiums suffered another blow after a majority of Member States rebuffed a Dutch presidency effort to press ahead with the idea (Proposal for a Council Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between women and men in the access to and supply of goods and services) . |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry, Employment and Social Affairs |
