The Workplace Relations Commission found Allianz PLC did not engage in prohibited conduct by limiting an open-driving insurance benefit to drivers aged 30 to 70. In a decision dated 10 August 2022, adjudication officer Roger McGrath found the insurer could rely on the statutory exemption for insurance risk assessments.
Liam Scott complained that he was excluded from using the open-driving option on his wife’s policy because he was over 70. The WRC accepted that he was treated less favourably because of age, then considered whether Allianz had established the insurance exemption.
Allianz said its actuarial analysis showed drivers outside the 30-to-70 range had worse claims experience, and that older drivers could apply to be assessed as named drivers. The officer found the insurer’s data and actuary’s evidence provided reasonable grounds for the age limits, and accepted relevant underwriting or commercial factors. The exemption meant the treatment was not discriminatory under the Equal Status Act.