GuideOne Insurance Pays Fine Over Kentucky Religious Bias Claim

September 21, 2009

An insurance company has agreed to pay almost $75,000 in fines to settle a religious discrimination claim in Kentucky.

The Justice Department announced the settlement involving Des Moines, Iowa-based Guideone Mutual Insurance Co. and two authorized agents, which had advertised special homeowners’ and renters’ benefits called FaithGuard to “churchgoers” and “persons of faith.”

Under the agreement, the defendants must pay a total of $29,500 to three plaintiffs and $45,000 as a civil penalty.

GuideOne had offered the FaithGuard endorsement in at least 19 states. It must cease the practice under the agreement.

The lawsuit was the result of complaints filed by an atheist, an agnostic, and the Lexington Fair Housing Council. The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky in conjunction with a proposed consent decree.

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Latest Comments

  • September 22, 2009 at 5:09 am
    Ann Actuary says:
    Its not "picking on religion". Protected minority classes in this country are defined by race, color, RELIGION, sex, or national origin. Nowhere in the list of protected minor... read more
  • September 22, 2009 at 2:11 am
    knotins says:
    GuideOne will sell to anybody regadless of race, faith, sex or sexual orientation. They are a company that was founded on their foundation in faith to God and have always targ... read more
  • September 22, 2009 at 1:07 am
    okt0ber says:
    USAA ONLY insures military and their families, and you have to be a member of the USAA to get insurance from them. Not the same arragement at all.

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