ABI: New ABI consumer guides on HIV and insurance published

ABI logo for press releases

Friday, 11, Jul 2008 12:00

The ABI has today published an updated version of its Consumer Guide for Gay Men on HIV and Life Insurance, and a new Guide on countries with high HIV prevalence and insurance.

Nick Kirwan, the ABI’s Assistant Director, Health and Protection Insurance, said:

“This builds on the good work done by the insurance industry to ensure lesbian and gay people are treated fairly, and have access to practical information about insurance. We've updated our Consumer Guide to reflect changes being made across the industry to ensure that people in civil partnerships are treated the same as married couples. We've also introduced a new guide that gives practical advice on insurance for people who come from, or have visited, countries with a high prevalence of HIV.”

Chris Morgan, Managing Director of Compass, a specialist IFA for the gay community, and member of the ABI’s HIV Expert Working Group which drafted and updated the Consumer Guide, said:

“I am very proud to be associated with the new Consumer Guide. It is extremely important that information is available to the gay community on life and protection insurance issues. The amendment to the Guide clarifies the industry’s position on civil partnerships, and I am extremely proud to have played my part in achieving what I believe to be full equality in life insurance products.”

A spokesman for Stonewall, the gay rights lobbying and camapign group, said:

"Stonewall is pleased that the insurance industry continues to move forward in ensuring that gay and lesbian people are treated fairly and given good information about insurance. We hope that guides such as these will help lesbian and gay people obtain the insurance services they require."

- ENDS -

Notes for Editors

1. Enquiries to:

Jonathan French 020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480)

Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)

Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)

Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. The two consumer guides, HIV and Insurance – a consumer guide for gay men, and Countries with high HIV prevalence and insurance – a guide for consumers, are available on the ABI web site, www.abi.org.uk.

3. The ABI is the trade association for Britain’s insurance industry. Its nearly 400 member companies provide over 94% of the insurance business in the UK. It represents insurance companies to the Government, and to the regulatory and other agencies, and is an influential voice on public policy and financial services issues. ABI member companies hold up to a sixth of all investments traded on the London Stock Exchange, on behalf of millions of pensioners and savers.

4. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

Copies of all ABI news releases, together with other information from the Association, can be seen on our website http://www.abi.org.uk