| The lawmakers in Colorado are debating a change in | | | | of drivers, the good subsidize the bad. But, most |
| the law to correct the gender discrimination currently | | | | auto insurers do set different premium rates for |
| requiring women to pay more than men to insure | | | | different groups of drivers distinguished by gender |
| their health. The facts are uncompromising. In some | | | | and age. In medicine, it's a fact that men fall ill and |
| 90% of all private health plans, women have premium | | | | die, whereas women tend to recover from illnesses. |
| rates 60% higher than men. This is so even though | | | | This is one of the reasons why women have a |
| the statistics show women enjoy better health than | | | | longer life expectancy than men. But it also explains |
| men and make fewer claims. This is so even though | | | | why women cost more. They survive for longer with |
| the men used for comparative purposes are | | | | chronic problems requiring continuing treatment. Thus, |
| significantly older. And, if you feel you need any more | | | | if the premium is a reflection of the likely costs of |
| confirmation of the basic unfairness, even men who | | | | treatment over a person's lifetime, it may appear |
| smoke pay less than female non-smokers. As one of | | | | slightly more reasonable to charge women higher |
| the women promoting the bill commented: insurers | | | | premiums. Except this ignores the general rule that |
| often refuse coverage because the applicant has a | | | | private health insurance stops at 65 as Medicare kicks |
| pre-existing condition. The way the premiums are | | | | in. The major long-term costs tend to occur after 65. |
| loaded, it seems being a woman is a pre-existing | | | | Colorado looks as though it may join the one or two |
| condition. The people who are paid to speak on | | | | other states with equality provisions. There's no |
| behalf of the insurance industry usually fall back on | | | | evidence from these other states that men now |
| the tried and trusted defense that women have | | | | have to pay significantly more. For now, insurers |
| medical needs specific to their gender. The most | | | | simply make less profit. As a woman, it's particularly |
| often quoted example is maternity and prenatal care. | | | | important to research exactly what the different |
| In other words, the discrimination persists even | | | | companies offer. In this, the health insurance quotes |
| though the scope of the medical coverage is identical. | | | | are a good starting point. But always refer to the |
| So what's going on? The answer, in this instance, is | | | | websites of the companies with the best quotes to |
| slightly complicated. If we start with auto insurance, | | | | see if there are additional discounts available or |
| it's common knowledge that young men are | | | | special policies for women. If in doubt, do not rely on |
| statistically more likely than any other group of | | | | the health insurance quotes. Talk directly with the |
| drivers to crash into another vehicle or some | | | | insurers to find out whether there are ways of |
| stationary object. Thus, where the policy | | | | equalizing the male and female premium rates. Not |
| discriminates between different groups of drivers, | | | | everyone is lucky enough to live in a state |
| young men pay significantly more than women who | | | | committed to equality. It comes down to the |
| tend to drive more safely. Not all auto policies do | | | | individual to protect herself as best as possible. |
| discriminate. By spreading the risk among a big group | | | | |