Transsexuals win right to state reassigned gender on birth certificates
Life assurers are divided over the effect a new law ' which will enable transsexuals to have their reassigned gender written on their birth certificate ' will have on underwriting life assurance policies.
Transsexual men and women are currently rated according to the birth gender listed on their birth certificate, regardless of whether they have had a successful gender reassign-ment.
However, a new reform, which is set to become law in 2004, will make it possible for transsexuals to apply for a substitute birth certificate stating their new gender.
Tony Jupp, chief underwriter at Norwich Union, believes insurers need a definite plan before the reform becomes law, but does not feel it will cause too many problems.
'Until now we have taken the technical view those born a man have the genetic make up of a man. But if the birth certificate is set to change, we will have to impose a pricing structure depending on the gender on the birth certificate and go with the data that is presented to us on the birth certificate.'
'Provided that medically there are no problems when it comes to risk assessment, we will not go out of our way to find out whether the applicant used to be a man or a woman,' he added.
Scottish Equitable Protect's head of underwriting and claims, Matt Rann, suggested that although it is still too early to judge the effect the new law may have on underwriting, there are ways an insurer could find out if a person has changed their gender.
'Details surrounding any operations a person may have had are likely to come up in the medical history section of the application form, therefore, it is still possible to find out.
'While the stance at the moment is to charge premiums based on originating sex, it is too early to say whether this will change. We need to learn more about the rationale behind the change in terms of certification and legalities,' he said.
