The event offered an opportunity for AGE to explain to EPP members what are older people’s concerns and expectations for this draft directive. In particular, Anne-Sophie defended AGE members’ interests with regard to Articles 2.6 (preferential treatment) and 2.7 (access to insurance and financial services) in a panel discussion which included a representative of the European insurance industry federation, the CEA.
Anne-Sophie recalled that AGE has been working for several years on the issue of age limits in access to goods and services as there are problems with these limits posed by insurers. Some insurance products are essential to participating in society and enjoying fundamental rights such as freedom of movement i.e. travel insurance. She gave a few examples of the very different ways that Member States provide these products. For instance, Europ Assistance in Belgium provides a travel insurance product that covers everyone regardless of their age; in Sweden, travel insurance is provided through home insurance; and in the UK it can be particularly complicated and costly to buy travel insurance because of how the market is structured.
In terms of Article 2.6, AGE welcomes the French Presidency compromise amendments. From consulting widely with both politicians and our members, we can see that no-one wants to put an end to preferential treatments and that these are needed by both young and older people to participate fully in society.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 January 2010 13:28
