Auto insurers charge more based on gender, age, etc. based on statistics. What about race?

Question

If it's proven that certain races have more accidents per miles driven, why isn't that taken into account?

Ethnic background is never asked during online applications. If it was though, don't you think there would be lawsuits flying all over?

Even if it's been proven certain ethnicities are a greater risk, it still wouldn't be on the application.

Answer 1

because the blacks complain a lot. other stuff bexcuase they have shitty lobies.

singles, men, young people have no power in this cracked out world.

nobody really knows the answer half the people are saying that they dont do it because they cantt it is illegal.
others say because the stats dont say so i ask when was the last survey taken.

Answer 2

No it has not been proven, and that is why it is not taken into consideration.

As you added on even if it were proved that a certain race has more accidents, (which in my opinion is ridiculous to begin with) it still would not be asked on the application. As it is racial profiling, and that is against the law.

I personally feel that people of retirement age should be given a test as to their ability to manipulate their vehicle to avoid an accident. Their reflexes are not as agile as when they were younger. If they fail the test then that should be taken into account too on their application.

Just like rural, city driver, garaged automobiles, or not, if you use your car for your job, airbags, theft devices such as an alarm or a lock for your steering wheel are taken into account.

A defensive driver makes for fewer accidents. I am 66 years of age. I notice that when I was younger up to about 60, I was more agile. I have noticed that in other people too in that age bracket, and older.

Answer 3

It is taken into consideration, however they can't charge a specific race higher premiums because it's racial profiling, so they charge everyone to offset those with bad driving records.

The technical term insurance companies use is " Spread of Risk" and that says it all!

They don't charge more for age, gender, marital status they give discounts for those, when you reach a specific age or get married they give you a discount.

If you don't marry you don't get the discount. They do that because as we age and take on responsibilities like marriage they consider you more responsible and less likely to take stupid chances, thus less accidents.

However with respect to gender, that started when woman didn't drive as much as men and now it's because woman are not as aggressive as men on the road so we have less accidents.

Answer 4

I've never seen race on an application and I am pretty sure that it would be against every civil rights and equal rights amendment we have. If a certain area has a higher number of accidents, then that area has higher rates.

Answer 5

I am sure that race is accounted for. Insurance is all about playing the odds. Greater risk of an accident equates to greater insurance premiums.

Answer 6

It probably is a factor but they just can't come out and say it based on the fact if they say black people have more accidents than white, then the blacks will scream prejudice, and if they say whites more than blacks, then whites scream preferential treatment so they can't win but I'm sure it's done under the table when they check race.

Answer 7

Insurance companies consider everything possible to raise the cost to the consumer so I'm sure that they have this on file along with a lot of other things that have nothing to do with your insurance policy.