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Daniel, Brighton, Age 32 When Daniel applied for Life Assurance and Critical Illness Cover for his mortgage he encountered more trouble than he bargained for. He decided to apply through a firm of Gay Financial Advisers, as they have experience in avoiding the personal questions, HIV testing and loaded premiums that are all too common. Both Daniel and his financial adviser thought it would be a straightforward task, as he only wanted £87,000 of Life Assurance and had no real major health problems of note. The application was within standard underwriting limits of £100,000, where a number of companies do not ask for a lifestyle questionnaire or HIV test. Lifestyle questions normally ask if the person applying belongs to one of the following government recognised high-risk groups for HIV.
Single males are usually asked to take an HIV test. On answering yes to Homosexual, or Bisexual some companies will then ask a further list of highly personal questions relating to sexual behaviour, monogamy, STDs and even your partner's sexual behaviour. Application Daniel's application was forwarded to a life assurance company that does not normall ask these questions. However, on this occasion Daniel received a personal questionnaire. Confused, he contacted his adviser and asked why he had been sent the questionnaire? The advisers explained that he was within the normal criteria and that they did not understand why he had been questioned about his sexuality either. They promised to speak to the Life Assurance Company and get back to Daniel. On approaching the insurer, the advisers pointed out
that the application was below £100,000 and without any major health
issues. The underwriter agreed, but then highlighted Daniel's occupation
as his reason for sending the questionnaire. The adviser was shocked that an underwriter would use a person's occupation, in this case Cabin Crew, as an indication of a person's sexuality. Immediately Daniels application was switched to another company and the first application cancelled. Daniel got the amount of Life Assurance he required, without personal questions, HIV testing and loaded premiums – gay men do not have to put up with discriminatory practices from the Life Assurance industry. This was the first time that the advisers had experienced
such speculative attitudes towards a single male's occupation. Fortunately
they've not experienced this scenario since, and hope it’s an isolated
case. Pink Finance Pink Finance has added the following proposal to the list of suggestions we currently have for the Association of British insurers Best practice guidelines on HIV issues; currently being reviewed: Life Assurance companies should not be allowed to use a person's occupation as an indication of sexuality. Using occupations such as Cabin Crew, Ballet Dancer and Hairdresser as an indication of sexuality is speculative and blatantly discriminatory. Editor, Chris Morgan, is leading the group working on the behalf the gay community for change. He welcomes any comments, suggestions, and case examples of discrimination you may have to offer. He has recently suggested specific changes to the Association
of British Insurers (ABI) Guidelines, which will be put to the industry
for first consultation. This is your chance to have you say, by forwarding
any suggestions you may have. |
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