Changes to the way insurers question applicants over HIV-related issues are overdue, according to Ri...
Changes to the way insurers question applicants over HIV-related issues are overdue, according to Richard Walsh, head of health at the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Speaking at the COVER Prot- ection Forum, Walsh said changing times had led the ABI to consult on HIV issues again as they no longer reflect current thinking on the risk of certain groups of applicants.
"Things have changed a lot in the last 10 years - the number and type of people with HIV and the strength of lobby groups," said Walsh.
"People ask us, if we are going to exclude HIV from cover, why do we have to ask questions? Although with critical illness cover there are many conditions related to HIV, it is quite difficult to defend for income protection. People also ask, why do we put all these questions to gay people when the risk of HIV among heterosexuals is increasing?"
The ABI launched its consultation on proposals to update the way in which insurance companies treat applications where HIV may be an issue, in September this year. It is preparing a new Statement of Best Practice that aims to help insurers assess all applications fairly. It is hoped that current problems, such as discrimination within the gay community, will be ironed out during the consultation period.
"One of the big issues for lobby is why we can't distinguish between different risks in the gay community. We could take an evidence-based look at the length of partnerships, such as civil partnerships," said Walsh.
