Making controversial news this week is John Hancock Insurance Co.’s proposal to lower life-insurance rates for people who choose to wear a fitness tracker.
Meanwhile, 8% of Americans would be OK with their insurer installing video cameras in their homes, according to the results of an online survey conducted by the student-loan firm LendEDU from August 2017 to August 2018 in which 1,000 people were interviewed.
The survey results, released Tuesday, aimed to highlight a growing concern with insurance companies accessing private information and data on risk before issuing policies.
In total, 72% of respondents were against insurance companies accessing private data. But for a small group, if access comes with a cheaper policy, then so be it: While 8% are OK with video recordings of daily life, 11% would allow a biometric device to be installed in their body, and 18% say they would permit access to DNA.
An insurance agent in Utah used the identities of 22 people to falsely apply for 28 life insurance policies with upfront commissions, according to the Deseret News.