Premiums will rise if Advocate General's opinion becomes EU law, says Tory MEP

Conservative MEP Ashley Fox has described the EU's Advocate General Juliane Kokott's claims that taking the sex of a person into consideration for insurance purposes was against a person’s fundamental rights, as "madness".

Although Kokott's opinion is not binding on the European Court of Justice, the Conservative's said in a statement that her opinions are seldom ignored.

Fox said: "This opinion, if taken on board by the European Court of Justice, will spell the end of cheap car insurance deals for women and cause the loss of many jobs in this sector of the insurance business.

"The decision to afford cheaper car insurance to women is not based on discriminating factors but on solid statistics and fact.

"Women have fewer accidents than men and claim less than men. This opinion abjectly fails to take these crucial factors into consideration.

"It is simply madness to wipe out a whole market on what is effectively the whim of the advocate general. Of course it goes without saying that if this opinion becomes EU law it will mean higher premiums for everyone."

The 2025 Insurance Times Awards took place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd December in the iconic Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House.

Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and as always, huge thanks to our sponsors for their support and our judges for their expertise.