NU Online News Service, July 27, 2:43 p.m. EST
Direct automobile insurance provider Esurance says same-sex partners in Illinois could be eligible for the same 10 percent discount given to other married couples.
Effective June 1, a law allowing same-sex couples in Illinois to enter into civil unions took effect.
According to Esurance, 10 percent is the average premium savings enjoyed by married couples who are listed on the same policy with the insurer, which will also honor opposite-sex civil unions.
An Esurance spokesman says the company plans to extend the offer to New York, where gay marriage became legal this month.
Esurance offers similar possible savings in California, Oregon and Washington, the White Mountains Insurance Group subsidiary says in a statement.
"Esurance is firmly committed to recognizing and supporting diversity for its customers, and offering these savings to Illinois consumers is another measure of those commitments," says Gary Tolman, Esurance president and chief executive officer.
The insurer says it has a long history of supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues and is one of the first auto insurers to offer discounts to domestic partners on the same policy.
Esurance says it has also sponsored LGBT parades and events, donated to organizations and won awards for equality in the workplace.
Esurance and independent agency Answer Financial, another subsidiary of White Mountains, are being bought by Allstate Corp. for $1 billion.
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