Whether an insurance company can charge more for driving over 80 (as in over 80 years old) is the subject of an Ontario human-rights hearing starting Thursday.

In his complaint, Denis Olorenshaw argues that setting higher premiums for drivers based on their plus-80 status amounts to age discrimination. He says there's no evidence the elderly pose more risk. The 92-year-old launched his complaint in 2009 when a company wanted to charge him $250 more than his 62-year-old daughter.

The company, Western Assurance, argues the Supreme Court has ruled higher premiums based on age can be justified.

Even though he managed to find quotes from other companies that did not charge the over-80 group more, Olorenshaw said he decided to pursue the case ``for the principle and the benefit of other seniors.''

``This insurance company that I am complaining about ... does not have the right industry statistical information to back this up,'' he said. In fact, he said, older drivers often have better judgment born out of decades of experience, and other companies didn't quote him a higher premium. One even quoted him a lower rate than his daughter's.

The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has set aside two days for the hearing.
   
(The Canadian Press)