Why are premiums age-dependent, is that allowed?
Based on Article 1 of our Constitution, discrimination on the grounds of, for example, age and gender is not permitted. Yet insurers do this openly. Young people pay a higher premium for car insurance. Older people are refused car insurance from a certain age. Are the insurers in violation or are they allowed to do this unhindered?
An employer has a problem if he states in a job advertisement that he is looking for a man or a woman. Or if a homosexual man or woman is rejected because of his or her orientation, it is easy to speak of discrimination. Insurance seems to be a different matter. What is the situation?
Can car insurance be more expensive on the basis of age?
Young drivers up to 24 years of age often pay a higher premium. Older people, for example, aged 75 and over, cannot take out new insurance with certain insurers. This smacks of discrimination, but the insurers take a different tack. They make a distinction because statistics show that these age groups have a higher chance of damage. They are therefore a greater risk for insurers. This is permitted. Insurers are free to set up their own premium policy. For instance, they can give discounts on car insurance to the group of insured persons between 25 and 65 years of age.
What if you don't agree with the insurers' policies?
The Financial Services Complaints Institute (Kifid) handles complaints about insurers. If you believe that an insurer is at fault, you should first make your complaint to the insurer itself. The insurer must have the opportunity to defend itself. If you complain about the policy of the insurer, the insurer is unlikely to meet you halfway. After that you can file a complaint with the Kifid, but of course you can also go to court. Keep in mind, however, that a lawsuit is an expensive affair. The costs exceed the premium for the car insurance for several years.
Proving discrimination is probably not going to work
Insurers do make a distinction, but they can substantiate it, according to themselves. Young drivers up to 24 years old make more claims on average. You could say that their inexperience is already taken into account because they have no or few claim-free years. With little driving experience, they have also built up less discount for damage free driving. For some insurers this is not enough. They also charge a higher premium. They can also justify refusing older drivers for car insurance.
You can fight with an insurer, but you can also choose to be pioneers. There are dozens of insurers where you can insure your car. Does one insurer offer too high a premium? Then choose another insurer. The same applies if you are refused by an insurer. Within a few clicks, you can compare dozens of insurers for the car insurance that suits you best.
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