Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to insurance that fairly reflects risk for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

The government remains in regular discussion with the insurance industry and other interested parties, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), on the provision of insurance in the UK.

The government recognises that various factors can impact on availability, pricing and terms of insurance policies.

According to disability discrimination law under the Equality Act 2010, an insurance provider cannot refuse to cover potential customers or charge more for insurance on the basis of a disability unless both of the following are true:

1) They can provide objective, accurate and reliable evidence that the applicant is at a higher risk of making a claim; and

2) The information they used to assess the application was used in a reasonable way.

The FCA is also currently conducting detailed discovery work into pricing practices used by insurers to develop a clear understanding of current market practices. This discovery work is looking at the techniques, strategies and rating factors used by insurers. The FCA will consider if any further intervention is required at the conclusion of this discovery work.