INSURANCE

Allstate, Nationwide Mutual Accused of Discrimination: A fair housing group alleged that the companies discriminated against minorities in the sale of homeowners insurance. The National Fair Housing Alliance, which represents housing agencies in 35 states, said it filed complaints with the Department of Housing and Urban Development alleging that Allstate Corp. and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. violated the federal Fair Housing Act. The complaints were the result of an investigation in Chicago, Atlanta, Milwaukee and Louisville, Ky., that showed widespread discrimination, the group said. The companies said they have corporate policies that forbid discrimination.