Sex Discrimination

What Does Sex Discrimination Mean?

Sex discrimination (or gender discrimination) is the practice of treating individuals of one sex less favorably than those of the opposite sex. In many countries, it is considered a violation of human rights.

Insuranceopedia Explains Sex Discrimination

Although the terms “sex discrimination” and “gender discrimination” are often used interchangeably, the concepts of sex and gender have evolved and diverged in recent decades. “Sex” now generally refers to physiological characteristics, such as genitalia and secondary sexual traits, while “gender” often refers to social categories like “man” or “woman” rather than the physiological features traditionally associated with them.

Political movements, such as human rights and feminism, have made significant strides in addressing sex- or gender-based discrimination in various aspects of life, including the workplace.

However, in the world of insurance, some forms of sex discrimination still persist, particularly in the underwriting process. In many states, for instance, insurers charge male drivers higher premiums than female drivers. This differentiated pricing is based on statistical analyses indicating that men are more likely to be involved in accidents, or more severe accidents than women. The size of this gap varies by insurer and by state, so looking up typical car insurance costs can give drivers a baseline before requesting quotes. It also pays for male drivers to compare quotes across several insurers before buying, since gender-based pricing can differ noticeably between companies on lists of the best car insurance companies.