Insurance giants State Farm and
Allstate recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples for the
purpose of discounts, CBS
News' Moneywatch blog reported.
Married couples can, on average, save
10 percent off their auto premiums.
Esurance, a direct to consumer online
insurance company, also offers the discount in California, Illinois,
Oregon and Washington, and is set to expand into more states.
The reduced rates are in effect in the
six states where gay marriage is legal plus the District of Columbia.
The 18,000 California couples who married in 2008 can receive the
discount.
Couples who enter a civil union in New
Jersey, Illinois, Hawaii, Delaware and Rhode Island or a domestic
partnership in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington are also
eligible for the savings.
Loretta Waters, a spokeswoman for the
Insurance Information Institute, said it is possible other companies
might offer a similar discount and couples should check with their
insurance agent.
“Marriage is marriage,” State Farm
Spokesman Dick Luedke said. “It doesn't matter if you are married
to someone of the same sex.”