Senior travel insurance and age discrimination

Will the new Equality Bill which replaces 116 separate pieces of equality legislation help older people get a fair deal on senior travel insurance?

Currently over one third of travel insurance providers refuse to cover the over 65s, and if you're over the age of 75 more than two thirds of insurers will not provide a quote. A recent survey by Karma Insurance found a couple aged 65 and 66 taking a two week holiday in Spain can pay as much as £209 for senior travel insurance. People under 60 can pay as little as £20 for similar policies.

Equality minister Harriet Harman believes "there is a significant amount of evidence that older people are being treated in a discriminatory way by those providing goods and services ... there are also concerns about restricted access to some financial services, such as insurance".

With the release of the Equity Bill later this year it is understood insurers will no longer be able to make it difficult for seniors to take out travel insurance, as well as other types of insurance. Companies that impose restrictions or provide quotes priced at a level nobody can afford may find themselves in breach of the law.

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