Bill Targets Life Insurer Use Of Travel Information

“It is outrageous that life insurance companies are holding a potential customer’s past travel history over his or her head,” Emanuel says in a statement.

“Obviously, assessing risk should remain the core of the life insurance industry, but whether or not an applicant has visited a specific location, such as Israel or Turkey, is not a legitimate or reliable factor in determining future risk,” he says.

H.R. 3927 would apply only to life insurance. All other types of insurance, including health insurance, are excluded.

Jack Dolan, a representative for the American Council of Life Insurers, Washington, says life insurers, in general, don’t support legislation that aims to interfere with underwriting practices that are based on sound actuarial principles and reasonably anticipated experiences.