The Department of Justice announced a settlement with GuideOne Mutual Insurance in a discrimination lawsuit over the Kentucky company's offering of special rates to religious customers.
Under the settlement, the defendants must pay a total of $29,500 to three victims of discrimination, an additional $45,000 to the government as a civil penalty and stop the alleged discriminatory practices.
The complaint, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky in conjunction with a proposed consent decree, alleges that the defendants offered a special endorsement to their homeowners and renters insurance policies at no extra charge called FaithGuard, which provides special benefits and discounts only to "churchgoers" and "persons of faith." . . .
"Discrimination on the basis of someone’s religious faith is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act," said Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "All individuals have the right to secure homeowners and renters insurance without regard to their religious beliefs, and the Civil Rights Division will continue to ensure those rights are protected."
