Call to investigate VHI for age discrimination

THE Equality Authority should be asked to investigate the VHI for possible age discrimination against its elderly customers as a result of the decision by the state insurance company to raise its premiums by up to 45%, according to a Labour Party senator.

Phil Prendergast, Labour’s spokesperson on the Older Person, yesterday called on the Equality Authority to consider a legal challenge to the controversial price increases announced by the VHI on Thursday.

Mr Prendergast said the biggest increases would hit VHI schemes which were predominantly favoured by older people. “Insurance policies cannot by law include additional premium weighting on age grounds but, by singling out policies mainly bought by older people, the VHI is in danger of engaging in indirect and possibly direct discrimination.”