Life Insurance for People with HIV UK

A diagnosis of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) once meant that securing life insurance was an impossibility. For decades, the doors to financial protection were firmly closed. However, thanks to incredible medical advancements and a slowly but surely evolving insurance industry, the landscape in 2025 is unrecognisable.

Today, living a long, healthy, and full life with HIV is the expectation, not the exception. The mantra "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U=U) is a scientific reality, reflecting the success of modern Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). In response, the UK insurance market has made significant strides. Obtaining comprehensive and affordable life insurance as an HIV-positive individual is no longer a distant dream; for many, it's a tangible reality.

This definitive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about applying for life insurance and other protection policies with HIV in the UK. We'll explore the types of cover available, demystify the underwriting process, and provide actionable steps to help you secure the vital financial peace of mind you and your family deserve.

What options exist for HIV-positive applicants?

The most encouraging news is that the range of options has expanded dramatically. Gone are the days when a guaranteed acceptance plan with a waiting period was the only choice. Now, HIV-positive applicants who meet certain criteria can access a suite of mainstream and specialist protection products.

The key is demonstrating to the insurer that your condition is well-managed and stable. If you can do this, you may be eligible for:

• Level Term Life Insurance: This is the most common form of life insurance. It pays out a fixed, tax-free lump sum if you pass away during the policy term. It’s designed to provide for your loved ones, clear debts, or cover funeral costs.
• Decreasing Term Life Insurance: Often called mortgage life insurance, the potential payout on this policy decreases over time, broadly in line with the outstanding balance of a repayment mortgage. It's a cost-effective way to ensure your family home is secure.
• Critical Illness Cover: While still more challenging to secure than life insurance, some specialist insurers now offer critical illness cover to people with HIV. This pays out a lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specific serious illnesses, such as certain cancers, heart attack, or stroke.
• Income Protection: This policy provides a regular, tax-free replacement income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Again, this is a specialist area, but options exist, particularly for professionals and office-based workers.
• Business Protection Insurance: For company directors and business owners, products like Relevant Life Cover (a tax-efficient death-in-service policy), Key Person Insurance, and Shareholder Protection are now accessible. These are crucial for business continuity.
• Over 50s Life Insurance: This remains a valid option for everyone, regardless of health. It offers guaranteed acceptance with no medical questions. However, it typically includes a 12 or 24-month waiting period, so it's important to understand the limitations.

The availability and cost of these options depend entirely on your individual circumstances. Working with a specialist broker, like us at WeCovr, is the most effective way to navigate the market and find the insurer best suited to your specific health profile.

A Journey Through Time: HIV and Life Insurance in the UK

To fully appreciate the current landscape, it's helpful to understand how we got here. The relationship between HIV and the insurance industry has been a long and often difficult journey.

The 1980s & 1990s: An Era of Exclusion During the initial decades of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, fear and medical uncertainty dominated. A positive diagnosis was considered a terminal illness with a short life expectancy. Consequently, life insurance was completely unavailable. Application forms introduced explicit questions about HIV and AIDS, and a positive answer resulted in an automatic decline.

The 2000s: The Dawn of Change The mid-to-late 1990s saw the introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), now simply called ART. This combination of drugs was revolutionary, transforming HIV from a terminal diagnosis into a manageable long-term condition for those with access to treatment.

Life expectancy for people with HIV began to rise dramatically. However, the insurance industry, being inherently cautious and reliant on historical data, was slow to react. For most of the 2000s, obtaining cover remained almost impossible.

The 2010s: The Turning Point The breakthrough came around 2009 when a few pioneering specialist insurers and reinsurers began to offer life insurance to HIV-positive individuals for the first time. The criteria were incredibly strict:

• Limited terms, often only up to 10 years.
• Significant premium loadings.
• Applicants had to have been diagnosed for several years and show a long history of stability.

Despite the limitations, this was a monumental step forward. As more long-term data emerged proving the effectiveness of ART, other insurers slowly began to enter the market. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and leading HIV charities worked to update industry guidance, encouraging a more modern and evidence-based approach.

2025 and Beyond: A New Era of Inclusivity Today, the progress is undeniable. Several mainstream UK insurers now actively consider applications from people living with HIV.

• Longer Terms: Policies of 25 years or more are now common.
• Higher Sums Assured: Cover amounts can run into hundreds of thousands, or even over £1 million.
• Competitive Premiums: While premiums are still higher than for an HIV-negative person (a 'loading' is applied), competition has driven costs down significantly.
• Broader Product Range: The availability of critical illness and income protection, while still specialist, marks a huge advancement.

This evolution reflects the medical reality: a person diagnosed with HIV today, who adheres to treatment, can expect to live a near-normal lifespan. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), an estimated 106,891 people were living with HIV in the UK in 2021, with 95% of those diagnosed on treatment being virally suppressed. This high level of successful management is precisely what has given insurers the confidence to offer cover.

How Insurers Assess an HIV-Positive Application in 2025

When you apply for life insurance, the insurer's underwriting team carries out a risk assessment. For an HIV-positive applicant, their goal is to build a comprehensive picture of your health, focusing on how well your condition is managed. They are not looking for reasons to decline you; they are looking for evidence of stability and good health.

Here are the key factors they will assess:

• Date of Diagnosis: They prefer to see that you were diagnosed some time ago (e.g., at least 1-2 years) and have since achieved stability on treatment. A very recent diagnosis can be harder to insure as there is no long-term track record of management.
• Your CD4 Count: This is a crucial measure of your immune system's health. The CD4 cells are the white blood cells targeted by HIV. A higher count is better. Insurers will want to see a recent and consistent CD4 count, ideally above 350 cells/mm³, and even more favourably, above 500 cells/mm³.
• Your Viral Load: This measures the amount of HIV in your blood. The gold standard, and often a requirement for the best terms, is an "undetectable" viral load. This indicates that your ART is working exceptionally well, protecting your immune system and meaning you cannot pass the virus on (U=U).
• Treatment (ART): They will want to see consistent, uninterrupted adherence to your prescribed Antiretroviral Therapy. Your medical report will show your prescription history. Any unexplained gaps in treatment can be a red flag.
• Co-infections: The presence of other conditions, particularly Hepatitis B or C, will be a significant factor. Co-infection can complicate the application and will likely lead to higher premiums or, in some cases, a decline. Full disclosure is essential.
• Source of Infection: While becoming a less critical question, some insurers may still ask. It is used as part of a wider assessment of your overall health and lifestyle risk factors. Honesty is always the best policy.
• Overall Health and Lifestyle: These factors are just as important as for any other applicant. Insurers will look at your:
  • Smoking Status: Being a non-smoker will dramatically improve your chances and lower your premium.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI): A healthy BMI is viewed favourably.
  • Alcohol Consumption: Your weekly unit consumption will be assessed.
  • Recreational Drug Use: This will be carefully reviewed and can be a reason for decline.
  • Other Medical Conditions: Any history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or mental health conditions will also be factored into the overall assessment.

To illustrate, here's a comparison of what an insurer might consider a strong profile versus a more challenging one.

What Types of Insurance Can I Get with HIV? A Detailed Look

Let’s delve deeper into the specific types of protection available and what you can expect from each.

Term Life Insurance

This is the most accessible and straightforward product for HIV-positive applicants. It provides a financial safety net for your loved ones if the worst should happen.

• Level Term Assurance: The amount of cover remains the same throughout the policy's life. If you take out a £300,000 policy over 25 years, it will pay out £300,000 whether you pass away in year 2 or year 22. This is ideal for general family protection, covering an interest-only mortgage, or leaving an inheritance.
• Decreasing Term Assurance: The sum assured reduces each year, designed to cover a repayment mortgage or other loan that gets smaller over time. Because the insurer's risk decreases over the term, these policies are cheaper than level term cover.

For people with HIV, terms of up to 25 or 30 years are now readily achievable with some insurers, with cover amounts often exceeding £1,000,000, subject to underwriting and financial justification.

Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

This type of cover is more complex. CIC pays out a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a specific condition listed in the policy, such as a heart attack, stroke, or most types of cancer.

For HIV-positive applicants, insurers are concerned about an increased risk for certain conditions, including some HIV-related cancers. Therefore:

• Availability is Limited: Only a small number of specialist providers offer CIC.
• Exclusions are Likely: The policy may come with specific exclusions. For example, it might exclude claims for any type of cancer or for conditions directly linked to HIV.
• Premiums are Higher: The cost will be significantly more than for life insurance alone.

Despite these hurdles, for those who can get it, a CIC policy can provide an invaluable financial cushion to help with treatment costs, home modifications, or lost income while you recover.

Income Protection (IP)

Income Protection is designed to replace a portion of your monthly earnings (typically 50-60%) if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. It's arguably one of the most important policies for anyone who is self-employed or doesn't have a generous employer sick pay scheme.

For the HIV community, this has historically been the most difficult cover to obtain. However, specialist options are now emerging:

• Specialist Providers: You will need to approach a specialist insurer via a broker.
• Deferred Periods: The deferred period (the time you must be off work before the policy starts paying out) may be longer than standard, often a minimum of 6 months.
• Payment Periods: The policy might have a limited payment period, meaning it will only pay out for a maximum of 2 or 5 years for any single claim, rather than paying until retirement age.
• Executive Income Protection: For company directors, this can be a more accessible and tax-efficient route. The policy is owned and paid for by your limited company, protecting both you and the business.

Business Protection for Directors and Entrepreneurs

If you are a business owner, freelancer, or company director living with HIV, protecting your business is as crucial as protecting your family. The good news is that this is often a more straightforward area to get cover in.

• Relevant Life Cover: This is a 'death-in-service' policy for individual employees or directors of small businesses. It's paid for by the company but pays out to the individual's family, tax-free. It's treated as a legitimate business expense, making it highly tax-efficient. This is one of the most popular and accessible options for HIV-positive directors.
• Key Person Insurance: This policy protects the business itself. It pays a lump sum to the business if a 'key person'—whose skills, knowledge, or leadership are critical to the company's financial success—passes away or is diagnosed with a specified critical illness. The funds can be used to recruit a replacement or cover lost profits.
• Shareholder or Partnership Protection: This provides the funds for the remaining business owners to buy out the shares of a deceased or critically ill partner. This ensures a smooth transition and prevents the deceased's family from being forced to take over a role in a business they know nothing about.

A broker with expertise in both HIV applications and business protection, such as WeCovr, is essential to structure these policies correctly.

The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The thought of applying for life insurance can be daunting, especially when you have a pre-existing medical condition. By understanding the process, you can approach it with confidence.

Step 1: Speak to a Specialist Broker (Crucial!) Do not go directly to an insurer or use a price comparison website. A standard application will likely be declined by a non-specialist insurer, and a decline on your record can make future applications more difficult. A specialist broker:

• Knows which insurers have the most favourable underwriting for HIV.
• Can hold an anonymous, informal discussion with underwriters to gauge the likely outcome before you even apply.
• Will help you complete the forms accurately to present your case in the best possible light.

Step 2: The Initial Fact-Find and Application Your adviser will ask you detailed questions about your health, lifestyle, occupation, and the amount of cover you need. Then, you will complete the application form together. Absolute honesty is vital. Non-disclosure of your HIV status or any other relevant medical information is fraud and will lead to your policy being voided, with no payout made to your loved ones when they need it most.

Step 3: Gathering Medical Evidence This is the most important part of the underwriting process. The insurer will almost certainly request:

• A report from your GP (a GPR). This is standard for most applications.
• A targeted report from your HIV specialist/consultant. This is the key document. It will need to provide details of your diagnosis date, treatment history, and your latest CD4 count and viral load readings.
• You will need to sign a consent form to allow the insurer to access these records.

In some cases, the insurer may also request a medical screening, which involves a nurse visiting you to take blood pressure readings, measure your height and weight, and take blood and urine samples. This is to confirm your current health status, your CD4/viral load, and to test for cotinine to verify your non-smoker status.

Step 4: The Underwriting Decision The insurer's underwriting team will review all the information. This can take several weeks, so patience is required. They will then come back with one of three outcomes:

1. Accepted on Standard Terms: This is highly unlikely for an HIV-positive applicant.
2. Accepted with Special Terms: This is the most common positive outcome. It means you are offered the policy, but with a "loading" (an increase) on the premium. The offer will be detailed in full.
3. Postponed or Declined: The insurer may postpone a decision if your condition is not yet stable (e.g., a very recent diagnosis). A decline means they are not willing to offer cover at this time.

Step 5: Starting Your Policy If you are happy with the terms offered, you accept the offer, set up your Direct Debit, and your cover begins. You have secured peace of mind.

How Much Will It Cost? Understanding Premiums

It's important to be realistic: life insurance will cost more for someone living with HIV than for an HIV-negative individual with a similar profile. Insurers add a 'premium loading' to reflect the additional risk. This is usually expressed as a percentage, such as +150% or +200%.

Let's look at an illustrative example. Please note these are not quotes, but are for guidance only.

Scenario:

• Applicant: 40-year-old, office worker, non-smoker.
• Health: Diagnosed with HIV 8 years ago, undetectable viral load, CD4 count of 600, no other health issues.
• Cover: £250,000 Level Term Life Insurance over 25 years.

As you can see, while the premium is higher, it can still be very affordable. The table also clearly shows the immense financial impact of smoking on premiums. Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for both your health and the cost of your insurance.

Wellness, Health, and Proactive Management

Taking proactive steps to manage your health not only improves your quality of life but can also directly lead to better insurance outcomes. Insurers want to see that you are an active partner in your own healthcare.

• Adherence to ART: This is the cornerstone of modern HIV care. Taking your medication as prescribed is non-negotiable for maintaining an undetectable viral load and a strong immune system.
• Diet and Nutrition: A balanced diet supports your overall health and helps manage potential side effects of medication. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial. At WeCovr, we believe in supporting our customers' holistic wellbeing, which is why we provide complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, to help you stay on track.
• Regular Exercise: Physical activity is vital for cardiovascular health, strength, and mental wellbeing.
• Mental Health: Living with a long-term condition can take a toll. Don't hesitate to seek support from charities, support groups, or mental health professionals. Insurers view seeking help for mental health positively.
• Regular Check-ups: Stay engaged with your HIV clinic and your GP. Attending all your appointments demonstrates to an insurer that you are proactive about your health.

By focusing on these areas, you build the strongest possible case for an insurer, demonstrating stability, responsibility, and a lower overall risk. This proactive approach can make all the difference in securing the cover you need at the best possible price.

The journey to securing life insurance with HIV has transformed from an impossible quest into a navigable path. With the right preparation, medical management, and expert guidance, you can protect the future of those you care about most.