Leading insurers have hit-out at EU proposals which could force women drivers into paying higher motor premiums.
The draft EU proposals could prevent European insurers from continuing to apply a sex-based pricing approach.
Leading motor insurer Zurich is concerned that the proposal could force it to change its underwriting approach.
Zurich's head of motor underwriting Dave Swann said: "If implemented the proposal could lead to a problem for us. The frequency of accidents is similar in males and females but the average cost of claims is lower in females. So we try to reflect this in our ratings.
"If we had to change this approach it could hurt our profitability. We may have to increase females drivers' premiums to cover this."
Brokers are also concerned about the proposals. Thomas Carroll's Paul Gardner said: "It is an issue for us since when premiums go up its often the messenger boy that 'gets it'. Others might go elsewhere in search of lower premiums."
AA Insurance Services managing director Andrew Briscoe said: "Women of most ages have long benefited from cheaper premiums than men due to the fact that they present less financial risk to motor insurers."
AA research has shown that young male drivers represent the highest risk and that they were six times more likely to be killed on the road than their parents.
