Marital Status - MUST they be told?

flossy_splodge

I am trying to fix my house insurance. i am told I HAVE to tell them my marital status. Antyone know if that is so? Is it a LEGAL requirement and if so why? Thanks:mad:

dunstonh

They have every right to refuse you cover if you do not answer the questions they ask.

So either answer the question or go to someone that doesn't. Is there any reason why you want to be difficult over such a simple question?

flossy_splodge

Why do you assume I am being difficult- I think that was rather rude. I can see no earthly reason why such a question is relevant and yes I do feel we are asked about personal data for no good reason quite often so wanted to know if it was a legal requirement to give this info and if so what is that requirement based on. A perfectly reasonable request in my opinion, not in the habit of giving out personal info blindly just because someone asks.:eek:

Labman_2

As I understand things insurance companies set premiums based on statistics. It may be therefore that marital status is important in respect to who is more likely to claim. So whilst you may not think it is relevant, insurance companies may think/know differently.

FirstTimer4Me

flossy_splodge wrote: »

I am trying to fix my house insurance. i am told I HAVE to tell them my marital status. Antyone know if that is so? Is it a LEGAL requirement and if so why? Thanks:mad:

Hi

Try here, I'm sure they have the official answer: http://www.lawanswers.co.uk/

Good luck

mattymoo

I remember a meeting around 12 years ago when some bright spark wanted to take the questions further with things like "Who did you vote for at the last election?", "What is your favourite colour?" and "What was your family income last year?". This was for a household insurance policy.

As Labman suggests, they were trying to expand the statistics database but fortunately the plan never came to anything.

As for marital status, I believe the insurers feel that a married person is likely to be more stable / mature. Family drivers tend to drive slower than single men. Not sure exactly - that was the job of the actuaries who analysed the stats.

olly300

flossy_splodge normally questions like that would fall foul of the sex discrimination act but the sex discrimination act makes an exception for risks related to insurance.

So an insurance company can ask any question they like to calculate the risk that someone would claim on their policy and can increase the premium appropriately. That is why:
1. Young male drivers have higher premiums than the equivalent aged female driver
2. renters have increased home insurance costs compared to owners in the equivalent building
3. women get lower annuity rates then men

BTW the same thing happens in relation to the disability discrimination act so people with pre-existing conditions can legally be discriminated on in their travel insurance.