Higher Insurance Costs OKd : Women Called Prone to Illness
A British court today ruled that female workers are more prone to sickness than men and that insurance companies have the right to charge women more for health coverage.
Most British insurance companies charge women more than men for medical coverage but less for life insurance because women on the average live longer.
The ruling came in a sex discrimination suit brought by London dentist Jennifer Pinder, 37, whose insurance company charged her 50% more than men in the same circumstances.
Judge Denis McDonnel ruled in favor of her insurers, the Friends Provident Life Office, saying “There is overwhelming evidence that a substantial loading is justified.”
He said there was no satisfactory evidence as to why women should need more sick leave. Witnesses suggested that it might be due to “female psychology and mental attributes.”
“It is laughable to claim that women are more susceptible to illness because of their sex,” Pinder said, adding that she will consider an appeal.
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