Protected classes are specific groups of people who are legally safeguarded from discrimination and unfair treatment under various laws and policies. These protections aim to ensure equal opportunities in areas such as employment, housing, and education by prohibiting discrimination based on characteristics like race, gender, age, and disability.
Discrimination in insurance refers to the practice of treating individuals or groups differently based on characteristics that are not directly related to their risk profile, such as race, gender, or ethnicity. While some differentiation is necessary for risk assessment, unfair discrimination can lead to social inequities and is often regulated by law to ensure fairness and equality in insurance practices.