Four organisations are pressing the Cyprus Parliament and political parties ahead of the vote on the 2025 amendment to the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Liability Insurance) Law.
The PASYDY Retirees Sector, Cyprus Third Age Observatory, Senior Citizens Cyprus, and Pan-Cyprian Association of Retirees (PESY-SEK) warned that insurance companies are pressuring lawmakers to influence the amendment, which addresses insurance for drivers aged 70 and above.
The organisations frame their intervention as a demand, not a request, highlighting what they describe as a “novel and degrading form of age-based discrimination.” They condemn excessive premiums or outright denial of insurance solely based on age.
State responsibility and social impact
The letter emphasises the contradiction between the citizen’s obligation to remain a legally insured driver and the difficulty of accessing insurance, which becomes a privilege for the few. The organisations note that such practices exclude elderly citizens and violate human rights, particularly when insurers apply blanket policies without individual assessment or clear reasoning.
They cite past committee discussions showing that elderly drivers account for only 3.5% of road accidents, challenging the argument that age alone justifies higher premiums or denials.
Demands to lawmakers
The organisations urge the amendment to include:
- A clear prohibition of age-based discrimination in insurance
- Mandatory written and detailed justification for any premium increase or refusal
- Deterrent penalties for companies that violate the law
They also call on parliamentarians to resist pressure from insurance lobbies and vote in favour of the amendment, stressing that general statements of support are insufficient.
Emphasis on dignity and autonomy
The intervention stresses that driving is essential for seniors to maintain autonomy, access healthcare, and stay socially connected. Denying insurance through economic pressure undermines their dignity and basic rights.
The organisations counter the argument that protecting older drivers will increase premiums for others, calling it a false dilemma and pointing to the real issue: lack of transparency, regulation, and accountability in the insurance sector.
They conclude with a political appeal, reminding lawmakers that seniors are active, informed citizens and that votes should prioritise people over profit.
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