gender on "official" forms

[lilith]

I started thinking about this because I intend to buy a car soon, which means that I'll have to move off my parents' family coverage and sign up for my own insurance. Insurance companies, of course, are very interested in what your sex is, and this makes me pretty uncomfortable. I obviously dislike having to put down "the truth" when signing up for these things -- and not just because it's cheaper if I tell them I'm female.

So I'm wondering... what is the rule for "official" forms like this, as far as whether they'll actually do any research? I know there are some cases where you could put anything in the whole world and they still wouldn't check. For example, I'm registered to vote as a female, because the only things they actually check on that form are the name, address, and birth date. Any time I don't think they're going to check my records (that is, license or Social Security), I of course put down "female."

I'm less confident about insurance though. If I had to guess I would say that, yes, car insurance companies do compare what you put down for sex with what's in your DMV or Social Security records. But maybe not, maybe they just assume that nobody would lie about something like that. I don't know. And what about health insurance, like the kind I will soon be getting from my job? Will they check?

Anyone have experience with "lying" on these?

[seldom]

Trust me, they check.  Insurance companies records are incredible with background checks, and they base it on your drivers license number and your SS number.  You have no choice to you are legal (legal being SRS, or top surgery if you are FtM, and an appropriate court order and document changes).  Don't bother lying it is considered insurance fraud which is a major felony.  Also with regards to health insurance...same thing as car insurance, tied to your SS number and they do check.  Here you do not want to out yourself as TS either...things can get rather messy.  There is a certain way to do things.

I know it hurts to do so, but for legal purposes you are your birth sex until you get the sex change and the corresponding court order changing your sex. 

I am sorry, it is a let down, but SRS is as much as a legal procedure as a medical one.  Most people seeking it do not think of it that way, but it is. 

Also for those considering getting SRS outside of the US, there is MAJOR legal benefits for keeping with a domestic doctor.  Most states now have laws regarding birth certificate changes that require you to have SRS from a doctor licensed in the US (there are some Canadian doctors who perform SRS licensed in the US, but make sure you check!).  Changing ALL documents is key with regards to future employment (this includes school records and titles(car and house)).  I know it may sound silly, but the extra money you are spending by getting it done in the US is worth it in the long run.   Rushing is sometimes far more expensive.  Part of changing your sex is being legally recognized for it. 

Legal status is the one thing that should be priority number one! 

Basically if your SS and DMV still says your male...for forms you are still male.  Until you change things officially, you are a bit stuck.

[Dennis]

Also if you make a "material misrepresentation" on an insurance policy, it is void. And given that they calculate risks and rates on the basis of gender among other factors, that would be a material misrepresentation. It's like saying you're a non-smoker on an insurance policy. Whether you die of a smoking-related condition or not, you made a material misrepresentation and they won't pay out.

You might as well not bother paying for insurance at all if you're going to void it. So use your 'legal' gender.

Dennis

[Melissa]

Well if the check what the DMV has and what SS has, there will be a conflict.  According to the DMV, I am female.  I also thought I had heard about people changing their insurance to be female on the plan and getting a cheaper rate once they go fulltime.  Also, it's not like your genitals are controlling the car.

You might as well not bother paying for insurance at all if you're going to void it.

Right.  Doing that certainly has saved me a lot of money.

Melissa

[LostInTime]

Just match the license and the insurance up and you should be fine.  I kept with the same insurance company before and just gave them a copy of the court order.