Preferential insurance for women backed by peers

A House of Lords sub-committee of the European Union Select Committee has backed UK insurance companies' preferential treatment of women drivers who are regarded as being safer than men and pay lower premiums. Under the European Commission's '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', it would be illegal to use gender in calculating premiums and benefits for insurance, pensions, annuities and similar financial transactions.