Discrimination!
Jason contacted Pink Finance after seeing our articles on Critical Illness Insurance and the discrimination that gay men face.
He had tried to apply for sickness insurance (Income Protection) and had been subjected to personal questions about his sexuality. The insurance company had asked a basic lifestyle questionnaire.
"Have you ever, or do you belong to one of the following government recognised groups for HIV? - Bisexual, Homosexual, Intravenous Drug Users."
Jason answered yes, 'Homosexual', and was then asked to complete a subsequent questionnaire, relating to sexual activity, relationships and any past sexually transmitted diseases he may have contracted.
Jason says:
"I felt angry at being asked such personal questions, especially after I found out that the policy did not cover HIV, which was the obvious issue that the insurance company was trying to guard against."
Jason quite sensibly didn't answer the questionnaire.
More Discrimination!
Pink Finance can reveal that if he had answered the second questionnaire, he would have been asked for an HIV test before his application would be accepted. This may or may not be at the life insurer's standard premium rates. It's not unusual for gay men to have their premium rates doubled.
Some insurance companies then go ahead and place gay men on the Impaired Life Register, which can then affect a person's ability to obtain insurance in the future.
The shocking aspect to all these personal questions and discriminatory practices is that the vast majority of Income Protection policies DO NOT pay out in the event of HIV and AIDS. Yes, you read correctly, they ask gay men all of these questions that guard against paying out to perceived higher risk groups for HIV, yet they exclude this illness altogether!
Pink Finance believes that there is only one insurer who has recognised this problem, and has seen sense by relaxing their underwriting procedures. They totally disregard all information relating to person's sexuality and do not ask about personal activities or past sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Down-Right Discrimination!
It's time that life assurance companies realised they are in breach of basic human rights in asking these personal questions, especially in light of the fact that on Income Protection Insurance they are completely irrelevant.
It is time that this stopped!
Pink Finance will continue to campaign against this discrimination until it is removed. Editor, Chris Morgan, would like to hear of more cases like that above, and welcomes your comments or emails on this subject.
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