Many within the gay community will be well aware of some of the prejudices that still exist in society. We are still to gain full partnership rights, recognition of our relationships and let us not forget Section 28.
There is one area of discrimination, however, that receives very little coverage by comparison. It affects thousands of gay men every week and is no nearer equality than it was ten years ago…
We're talking Life Assurance!
Every week, thousands of gay men in this country are asked personal questions relating to their sexual preferences, activity and previous sexually transmitted diseases. They're asked for HIV testing and often face increased premiums simply for being gay. Many find themselves in awkward positions with property and mortgage deals hinging on Life/Critical Illness cover being in place.
In our opinion this treatment of gay men is a breach of civil liberty and would be treated as such in the United States and Canada.
Along with our sponsors, Compass Independent Financial Advisers, we've decided to publish a guide to avoiding personal questions and what to do if you happen to make an application with a life assurance company that discriminates against gay males.
For those gay men who have never had the pleasure of applying for life assurance, here's what you'll be asked by a number of companies:
A fair proportion of companies ask a basic lifestyle question (like the one below) within their application.
'Do you belong to one of the recognised high risk groups for HIV infection (for example homosexual or bisexual males and intravenous drug abusers), or have you lived or travelled in an area which has a high incidence of infection, or have you ever tested positive for HIV/AIDS or are you awaiting the results of such a test?'
If you answer this question YES (Homosexual), you will almost certainly receive a further questionnaire - with questions like the ones below
You will then be asked to take an HIV test. Dependent on all of the answers being acceptable to the underwriter you will probably be accepted for cover. However, cover at the standard rate cannot be guaranteed, it's not unusual for premiums to be doubled for gay men!
Most, whether single or partnered, do not normally question this process until they're asked for an HIV test. At this point they either refuse to pursue the application further or seek further advice. There are a number of gay firms specialising in providing life cover for gay men in these situations. One of these, Compass, has provided some useful information for people in the situation above.
You should not withdraw any existing application, until you have spoken to a gay financial adviser. You may be angry, upset or even furious at the treatment you have just received, but the last thing you should do is withdraw your application at this stage.
On any following application you will probably be asked a questions similar to those below
'Has any application for Life/Critical Illness assurance or Health Insurance ever been declined, deferred or accepted on non-standard terms?'
and
'Have you ever withdrawn an application?'
You need to be able to answer NO, so withdrawing an existing application is not a wise thing to do. The best course of action is to leave the existing application sitting whilst you decide on whether to take the HIV test. You then should contact a firm of gay financial advisers, who have experience in this area.
Of course, if you do not take an HIV test, then the company cannot issue 'non-standard' terms or decline you.
Most insurance companies on life assurance, through compulsory HIV testing, intrusive questions and increased premiums, discriminate against gay men. This is a breach of your human rights and is unacceptable.
If presented in the right way, a gay financial adviser should be able to place Life /Critical Illness Cover for gay males up to a value of £250,000 quite easily. This is without any personal questions, inflated premiums and certainly without an HIV test.
Most insurance companies in the UK require a compulsory HIV test for insurance above £250,000, regardless of sexuality. However, gay men are still discriminated against over and above this when applying for large amounts as they may be asked 'Intrusive Questions' and for 'Increased Premiums'.
You should seek advice from a gay financial adviser before making an application who will introduce you to a Life Assurance company that will offer cover on standard terms, without personal questions.
All examples and questions in this article were provided by Compass Independent Financial Advisers Ltd. Pink Finance has a policy of not being biased towards any financial firm. However, we feel that the issues above are extremely important and specialist advice is required. We have therefore on this occasion decided to work with a partner for this article.
www.compassifa.co.uk©2001-2002
Please note that the articles contained within this site were written for Pink Finance and are subject to copyright. They may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the editor@pinkfinance.com.