(2 of 2)
AUTO. Young women pay lower premiums for auto insurance than young men because they have fewer accidents. But supporters argue that the rate advantage fades after age 25, even though women of all age groups have driving records that are 23% better than men, primarily because they drive less.
To dramatize their cause, NOW members last week picketed the offices of major insurance companies across the country. Meanwhile, insurance-industry efforts to sabotage the bill have so far only hardened the resolve of its supporters.
Senator Robert Packwood, Commerce Committee chairman and the bill's chief Senate sponsor, angered by the industry's aggressive lobbying efforts, recently warned its officials: "You're asking to die by this sword if you want to live by this sword. Congress will rise up in wrath against you." The bill is now given a better than even chance of passage.