A study by the Victorian Pride Lobby found that 55% of people living with HIV assumed they would not be eligible for life insurance.1 However, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes it unlawful for an insurer to discriminate against people with disability, including people living with HIV except where that discrimination is based on actuarial or statistical data which is reasonable to be relied upon 2
At Zurich, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to protect themselves and the people they love through appropriate life cover. Telling us you have HIV, or any other health condition, does not mean you will automatically be denied cover.
We just need as much information about you as possible, including a report from your doctor which we will arrange, so we can assess risks to your health based on most recent medical research and statistical data. Your cover will be underwritten to match your health and lifestyle – meaning you may be asked to pay additional premiums, or only offered a policy with exclusions. However, in some cases cover could be declined for certain existing medical conditions. This process applies to all customers, regardless of gender and medical history.
What kinds of cover can I get?
When people think of life insurance, they often just think of life cover, which provides a payout to your loved ones if you pass away. Yet there are also other life insurance options that may suit your situation, including total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance, trauma insurance, and income protection insurance. Trauma insurance policies may specifically cover HIV, but usually only for medical professionals and others at risk of getting the virus through their occupation.
Fully underwritten3 applications at Zurich for a person living with HIV with an undetectable viral load can apply for all cover types. Depending on your health, we may offer some covers, subject to terms such as a higher premium, a shorter term policy, and/or exclusions.
What will I be asked when I apply for life insurance?
When you apply for life insurance, we’ll ask you about your:
- health and medical history
- occupation, employment status and income details
- potentially hazardous pastimes
- your travel intentions and residency status.
Insurers ask every customer about their HIV status as part of the underwriting process for a life insurance policy. At Zurich we ask every customer if they have ever had a positive HIV test or are awaiting the results of a test. There will be additional questions asked if you disclose HIV positive status, which will be about when the diagnosis was, treatment, any complications or AIDs related diseases, and whether the HIV viral load is suppressed or undetectable.
At Zurich we do not ask about your sexual orientation or sexual practices.
What happens after I say I am HIV positive?
If you tell us you’re living with HIV and we are able to consider cover, we’ll ask your treating doctor for a report. The report should include up to date blood test results, CD4 lymphocyte counts, viral load tests and details of your treatment plan. If you don’t have recent tests, we may ask you to get a blood test, either with a medical examiner of our choice or through your treating doctor.
What else do I need to tell you?
We need to know your full medical history, so we’ll ask you similar questions to what a new GP would. We’ll ask about your height, weight, alcohol or recreational drug use, current and past medical diagnoses and treatment, including mental health symptoms or diagnoses, history of sexually transmitted infections.
Those sorts of questions may seem intrusive, but we’re just trying to get the information we need to properly assess any risks to your health, and these questions are asked to all customers applying for underwritten cover.
How do I find the right insurer and right cover for me?
You should never feel judged or discriminated against because of who you are. If you are considering getting insurance and are concerned about any pre-existing conditions, it’s wise to talk to a financial adviser before you apply. They can explain your options and support you through your application process.
All insurers have different requirements. Not all insurance companies ask the same questions or require the same level of detail. A good adviser will be able to recommend insurers likely to suit you.
While we hope you choose Zurich, we encourage you to get at least three quotes from different insurers to make sure you get the best cover at the best price for you. You could also ask your friends and colleagues who they have insurance with and what their experience was like.
If you would really prefer not to answer any medical questions at all, then see if your employer or super fund offers life insurance. These policies often have ‘automatic acceptance’ but offer only a certain level of cover.
You should also check the policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for a Pre-existing Exclusion Clause (PEC). A PEC means you are not covered for any condition you had before taking out insurance. This might not be right for you.
Remember, you can always ask a financial adviser for guidance. Life insurance is a big investment, and it is worth paying a professional to get good advice.
