Fat, Divorced Smoker? Pay More For Car Cover

[4me2]

DRIVERS face higher car insurance costs if they are divorced, if they smoke - or even if they are too fat.

Insurers who want to take "lifestyle factors" into account are buying the information from marketing and credit agencies to add to the details given by customers.

Some firms see an overweight motorist or a smoker as a higher risk because their habits suggest a "lack of discipline" that could creep into their driving. And married people are seen as more settled and less of a risk than divorced drivers.

Drivers' groups are appalled by the move and are urging the Government to intervene.

Mark McArthur-Christie of the Association of British Drivers said: "Car insurance is the last rip-off financial service.

"Is it right that because I'm a divorced smoker with a few extra pounds my advanced driving qualifications count for nothing? Are insurance companies our moral guardians now?"

Premiums can also rocket if a driver has children - they can be a distraction on a journey.

Mechanical engineer Yvonne Cox was horrified when her premium increased from £343 to £356 after she told her insurer Liverpool Victoria she had divorced. Ms Cox, 52, from Woking, Surrey, said: "When I asked why, I was told my mind might be unbalanced and affect my driving. I was aghast."

Liverpool Victoria have vowed to look at staff training, but denies using the word "unbalanced".

A spokesman said the firm were reviewing their criteria but admitted they charged divorcees more.

A spokesman for the AA - also a major insurer - admitted: "Being married is proven to reduce the likelihood of accidents as people, particularly men, then drive more carefully."

7 REASONS WHY YOUR COSTS ARE HIGHER

Marital status: People considered "unsettled" may drive poorly.

Children: Distraction to the driver.

Smoking/obesity: Indicates a lack of discipline which could creep into driving.

Income: Well-off less likely to claim.

Credit history: People with poor credit ratings are seen as reckless.

Occupation: Certain jobs are associated with "safer" drivers, such as solicitors and factory workers. Actors' premiums are high.

Car colour: Some colours, such as black, have higher accident rates, so cost more to insure.



http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/p...%20CAR%20COVER

[cosmicma]

i had 2 quotes a few years ago one married one single both qoutes was with the same firm on the same day my insurance premium shot up 100 pound if i was single the quotes were from the aa

so it sounds as if this kind of thing has been going on for a while

[urbsy]

Postcodes make a big difference as well.
When we insured miss urbs for her car if I put my postcode in instead of hers her insurance went down over £100.
Not bad to say she only lived less then 2 miles down the road.

urbsy

[Gel]

Originally posted by 4me2
I was told my mind might be unbalanced and affect my driving. I was aghast."

Haaaaaaaahahahahaaaaa

[miniboot]

to be fair, see it from the insurance companies' point of view... those who smoke/are overweight are probably more likely to be a risk than those who don't IN GENERAL (obviously each individual circumstance differs, but it's impossible to discriminate completely).

Not just for habit reasons, but also health. And smokers may also have a tendency to smoke whilst driving, which can't be good.

For those wondering why divorced/single/married/whatever makes a difference, insurance companies take data from all accidents, and run statistical tests to see how much each factor accounts for the risk of having an accident. They don't just pull things out of thin air.

btw, I'm not an insurance salesman, just a student :-)

[abarthman]

At my last renewal, I got a quote from Direct Line for fully comp for me alone (5 years NCD and no points on my licence) and then a quote to include Mrs abarthman on the premium, who hasn't got any NCD and only drives to pick me up from the pub if I'm pissed.

I was amazed when the premium was about £30 less to include Mrs abarthman on the policy. It appears that a female partner at the same address gets you a premium reduction with Direct Line since we're not married..

[mikehunt_200]

I used to worked in insurance, and could never worlk out the 'insured + spouse' discount.

Perhaps you're less likely to write the car off, if you know your missus needs it to get to work in the morning and will bite your head off if you bend it.