LAMBDA LEGAL VS. GEICO INSURANCE: Press release

Lambda Legal today urged Geico Insurance Company of New York to comply with state law and respect valid marriages of all same-sex couples in determining car insurance rates and coverages. Over the past few months, Geico has recognized the marriages of some same-sex couples and denied recognition to others.

Two New York couples, who are working with Lambda Legal and pay for Geico auto insurance coverage, have been treated unequally by the insurance giant. Both of the couples were married in Canada. Martin Farach-Colton and his spouse recently received written confirmation from the statewide underwriter that their marriage would be respected by Geico and the two men could share Farach-Colton's policy just like any married heterosexual couple. But Geico refused to recognize the marriage of Thomas Hroncich and his spouse, which could require the couple to pay hundreds of dollars more annually in premiums to receive the same level of insurance coverage.

"New York law says that marriages validly performed elsewhere must be respected here. Geico is breaking the law by denying Mr. Hroncich and his spouse benefits that the insurer provides to its other married policyholders. Geico must stop its practice of randomly recognizing some married gay or lesbian couples, but not all of its married gay or lesbian policyholders," said Alphonso David, Lambda Legal Staff Attorney.

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posted by Eve at 8:31 PM | link

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