‘Bereavement penalty’: people who lost partners hit by insurance premium rises

Campaigners claim AI algorithms are behind hefty increases in renewal quotes for home and car cover

Shortly after her husband died, Kay Lawley* received renewal quotes from the couple's home and car insurance provider, Ageas. She told the company of his death and was stunned that the quotes then increased by up to 15%.

Her car insurance quote went from 301 to 348, while her home and contents policy rose by almost 12% - from 1,039 to 1,161.