NU Online News Service, May 4, 2004, 5:40 p.m. EDT, Washington – A group of 14 life insurers faces a lawsuit filed in California by a man who alleges the companies are denying coverage to people who travel to Israel.[@@]
The 14 companies are accused of engaging in unfair and discriminatory business practices in violation of the California Business and Professions Code.
The lawsuit asks a California state court to issue an injunction that would prohibit life insurers in California from discriminating against applicants based on travel to Israel.
The plaintiff, Allen Estrin, claims that his application for life insurance was rejected due to his past and planned future travel to Israel.
According to the complaint, many California citizens, including those of the Jewish and Christian faith, visit Israel as tourists or pilgrims to holy sites.
Businessmen and politicians also frequently visit Israel, the complaint says.
"California citizens, who apply for life insurance, should not be denied life insurance policies based upon their lawful travel to Israel as tourists, participants in holiday pilgrimages or otherwise," the complaint says.
