Insurance companies say they charge up to 50% less for premiums on female drivers because they have a lower risk of accidents and issues, according to a report by CNN. However male drivers under the age of 29 pay more because studies show they crash six times more often then women. But now a new ruling could ban risk assessment based on gender in Europe.

Fourteen countries are included in the ruling including Italy, Spain, Germany and the UK. The ruling would not allow insurance companies to use life expectancies or studies on men verses women. The ruling also impacts annuities which offer payments to people, usually in retirement. Annuities are typically lower for men because they  have a lower life expectancy, according to CNN.

According to these judges, starting next year prices can not be adjusted for these purposes. According to CNN, the judgment said: “Taking the gender of the insured individual into account as a risk factor in insurance contracts constitutes discrimination. The rule of unisex premiums and benefits will apply with effect from 21 December 2012.” The judges referred to the Charter of Fundamental Rights which eliminates inequalities and promotes equality between men and women.

There are plenty of people who disagree with the judge’s decision. Some believe it will mean that a 17-year-old female driver will pay an extra $7,000 by the time she turns 26. “The decision of the judges not to recognise that gender is a legitimate factor in insurance pricing and that insurance pricing is based on a fair risk assessment process could be bad news for insurance customers,” Michaela Koller, CEA director general, said to CNN in a statement. “This ruling has pushed anti-discrimination legislation beyond the realms of all common sense,” research director Stephen Booth told CNN. “Unaccountable EU judges have ruled to overturn long-held national rules and increased costs for consumers in the process. To do so in the name of equality just adds insult to injury.”

Others supported the move saying it was finally removing inequality. “For far too long the unfair tag of ‘boy racer’ has been attributed to every young chap who passes his driving test with extortionate premiums being charged as a result,” Nick Soldinger of Nuts magazine, a publication for young men, told CNN. “Yes, young women may be statistically less likely to have an accident but surely it is unjust to penalise the majority for the actions of a few. With the economic downturn hitting young people harder than any other section of the population, it can only be a good thing if these premiums are lowered so that we, the young men of Britain, have parity with our sisters out there on the road.”