When two individuals in the same risk and age class are charged different rates for their insurance policies due to an insignificant factor, this practice is called?

The practice of charging different rates to individuals who are in the same risk and age class based on an insignificant factor is referred to as discrimination. In the context of insurance, discrimination occurs when two policyholders with similar risk profiles and characteristics are treated differently—most notably in the pricing of their insurance premiums—without justifiable reasons based on risk assessment. Insurers are expected to base their rates on relevant factors, such as claim history or actual risk, rather than arbitrary or irrelevant distinctions.

This concept is important in the insurance industry as it safeguards fairness and equity in pricing. If insurers were allowed to impose different rates based on insignificant factors, it would lead to unequal treatment and could potentially violate regulations designed to ensure fairness in underwriting and rate-setting processes.

The other terms relate to different concepts: underwriting concerns the process of evaluating risk and determining the terms of coverage, risk assessment involves analyzing risk factors to classify individuals, and rate adjustment refers to modification of the premium rates based on claims or changes in coverage, rather than unfair practices in setting initial rates.