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Home / Critical illness cover / - HIV or AIDS from Assault
Background information
By the end of 2001, more than 48,000 people had been diagnosed HIV-positive.
Over the same period, over 12,000 had died with AIDS.
In addition, it is estimated that there are currently more than 11,000 people living with HIV - unaware of being HIV-positive.
While the number of people dying from AIDS is falling (due to the widespread introduction of 'combination therapy' in 1996), the number of people living with HIV is set to increase by 47% between 2000 and 2005.
(Terrence Higgins Trust, 2002)
Definition
Infection by HIV or AIDS provided the infection results directly from:
- a physical assault involving involuntary contact with either a hypodermic needle or an infected sharp instrument; or
- a sexual assault;
- the incident happens in the European Union, The Channel Islands or The Isle of Man after the cover start date;
- the incident is reported to the police within five days; and
- a test, showing no HIV or HIV antibodies, is made within five days of the incident and a later test is made within 12 months showing infection by HIV or AIDS.
What does this mean?
Evidence suggests that infection with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) can eventually lead to the development of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
There is currently no cure for AIDS.
It causes the body’s defence mechanisms to break down leaving the sufferer open to various infections, which would normally pose little threat to people unaffected by AIDS. These infections usually prove to be fatal. More and more cases of physical assault are being reported to the police where the victim has been brought into contact with the HIV virus.
A claim would be paid where the attack had been reported to the police and it is proved that the HIV infection was because of the attack.
NEWS
Protect your future with life insurance
04 July 2007 15:16:55
While it might seem morbid to consider the effect of tragedy on your family, it makes a great deal of financial sense to think about life insurance.
According to Eugene C Gordon, CEO of US life cover provider LifeQuote, protecting your family's future could be one of the most important decisions you ever make.
Speaking at the launch of Life Insurance Awareness Month in Miami, Florida yesterday, Mr Gordon said:
"Death is a topic of conversation most families avoid but having life insurance (term life insurance) coverage could someday prevent a financial tragedy."
Yet according to November 2006 research by UK insurer Bright Grey, only 53 per cent of British adults have any form of life insurance cover.
With life insurance premiums falling steadily over the past few years, as medical advancements increase life expectancy, there's only one road to take when thinking about your family's future and that's ensuring that in the event of your death, they'll be able to survive financially.
Of course, your own lifestyle is likely to affect the cost of your insurance premium, so getting into shape can help your wallet as well as your health.
Jonathan French of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) recently explained the benefits of pursuing a healthy lifestyle, confirming that "lifestyle factors in general play a part in the assessment that insurance companies do on people when they apply for life or protection insurance".
Many insurers assess the potential risks associated with a policyholder by measuring their Body Mass Index - Mr French confirms that "factors like obesity will be taken into account".
Quitting smoking in the wake of the new ban could also save you money, as well as improving your life expectancy.
However, many insurers will only lower premiums if the policyholder has steered clear of the evil weed for a protracted period, likely to be at least six months.
But if you're serious about giving up cigarettes, you're likely to notice the benefit in both your fitness and your bank account.
A recent survey from advice website find.co.uk revealed that kicking the habit could save you around £64 per year in life insurance costs.
While a 35-year-old male smoker would pay around £13.50 per month for a 20-year level term policy with an assured sum of £100,000, a non-smoker would pay £8 every month - this adds up to a saving of almost £1,300 over the 20-year term.
Mr French confirmed that insurers are unlikely to turn away applicants for life cover if they are obese or smoke, but added that making lifestyle changes would certainly prove beneficial.
"One important thing that people should remember is," he said, "if, when they applied for their insurance policy, there were lifestyle factors which they had declared, like obesity, and…those individuals make lifestyle changes which reduces obesity, for example, then if they let their insurance company know that then there is likely to be a reassessment of premiums, which doesn't happen the other way round."
"The policies are underwritten at the point of application not at the point of claim."
STD linked to cervical cancer
17 August 2007 16:48:14
Women who have contracted the sexually transmitted disease Human Papillomavirus (HPV) may be unaware of their need to acquire life insurance or critical illness cover, it has been revealed.
Research published in the British Journal of Cancer this week found that 97.5 per cent of the 1,600 women surveyed were unaware that cervical cancer could be caused by HPV.
With HPV the most common STI in the UK, affecting around 80 per cent of sexually active women at some point in their lifetime, the research has highlighted the importance of raising awareness.
Though only a few strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer, a link with HPV is found in almost all cases of the disease.
Jenni Macdougall, health information manager for Cancer Research UK said that the introduction of vaccines to combat the most dangerous HPV was an important step forward.
"Now that vaccines against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) have been developed, it's essential that public information keeps pace. HPV causes most cases of cervical cancer, yet this research shows few women in the UK realise this."
She added: "The UK's cervical screening programme saves the lives of thousands of women each year.
"Cancer Research UK's Screening Matters campaign encourages people to go for screening when invited, and to encourage friends and family to do the same."
Some 1,200 UK women are killed by cervical cancer every year.
Critical illness insurance not trusted
27 June 2007 15:04:17
A leading financial research firm has claimed that the critical illness insurance industry needs to win back consumer trust.
Defaqto have argued that media reports of rejected claims have led to the majority of customers feeling let down by insurers who provide critical illness cover.
While the blame for many failed claims has been laid at the feet of the policyholder, for neglecting to disclose important information, Defaqto claims that the industry has still not done enough to act upon recommendations from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Nick Telfer, principal consultant for protection, said: "The future for critical illness hinges on rebuilding customer trust and developing products to meet the modern consumer's needs.
"I am concerned that neither the product development needed nor the education necessary to rebuild trust in the product is happening nearly quickly enough. This will inevitably lead to people being potentially left wide-open to the consequences of serious illness."
He added: "The evidence from providers' published statistics is that the vast majority of claims are paid and this is the message the industry needs to get across.
"We believe that rather than providers doing this individually, they need to work together through an industry sponsored campaign to promote the proposition to the consumer."
04 July 2007 15:16:55
While it might seem morbid to consider the effect of tragedy on your family, it makes a great deal of financial sense to think about life insurance.
According to Eugene C Gordon, CEO of US life cover provider LifeQuote, protecting your family's future could be one of the most important decisions you ever make.
Speaking at the launch of Life Insurance Awareness Month in Miami, Florida yesterday, Mr Gordon said:
"Death is a topic of conversation most families avoid but having life insurance (term life insurance) coverage could someday prevent a financial tragedy."
Yet according to November 2006 research by UK insurer Bright Grey, only 53 per cent of British adults have any form of life insurance cover.
With life insurance premiums falling steadily over the past few years, as medical advancements increase life expectancy, there's only one road to take when thinking about your family's future and that's ensuring that in the event of your death, they'll be able to survive financially.
Of course, your own lifestyle is likely to affect the cost of your insurance premium, so getting into shape can help your wallet as well as your health.
Jonathan French of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) recently explained the benefits of pursuing a healthy lifestyle, confirming that "lifestyle factors in general play a part in the assessment that insurance companies do on people when they apply for life or protection insurance".
Many insurers assess the potential risks associated with a policyholder by measuring their Body Mass Index - Mr French confirms that "factors like obesity will be taken into account".
Quitting smoking in the wake of the new ban could also save you money, as well as improving your life expectancy.
However, many insurers will only lower premiums if the policyholder has steered clear of the evil weed for a protracted period, likely to be at least six months.
But if you're serious about giving up cigarettes, you're likely to notice the benefit in both your fitness and your bank account.
A recent survey from advice website find.co.uk revealed that kicking the habit could save you around £64 per year in life insurance costs.
While a 35-year-old male smoker would pay around £13.50 per month for a 20-year level term policy with an assured sum of £100,000, a non-smoker would pay £8 every month - this adds up to a saving of almost £1,300 over the 20-year term.
Mr French confirmed that insurers are unlikely to turn away applicants for life cover if they are obese or smoke, but added that making lifestyle changes would certainly prove beneficial.
"One important thing that people should remember is," he said, "if, when they applied for their insurance policy, there were lifestyle factors which they had declared, like obesity, and…those individuals make lifestyle changes which reduces obesity, for example, then if they let their insurance company know that then there is likely to be a reassessment of premiums, which doesn't happen the other way round."
"The policies are underwritten at the point of application not at the point of claim."
17 August 2007 16:48:14
Women who have contracted the sexually transmitted disease Human Papillomavirus (HPV) may be unaware of their need to acquire life insurance or critical illness cover, it has been revealed.
Research published in the British Journal of Cancer this week found that 97.5 per cent of the 1,600 women surveyed were unaware that cervical cancer could be caused by HPV.
With HPV the most common STI in the UK, affecting around 80 per cent of sexually active women at some point in their lifetime, the research has highlighted the importance of raising awareness.
Though only a few strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer, a link with HPV is found in almost all cases of the disease.
Jenni Macdougall, health information manager for Cancer Research UK said that the introduction of vaccines to combat the most dangerous HPV was an important step forward.
"Now that vaccines against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) have been developed, it's essential that public information keeps pace. HPV causes most cases of cervical cancer, yet this research shows few women in the UK realise this."
She added: "The UK's cervical screening programme saves the lives of thousands of women each year.
"Cancer Research UK's Screening Matters campaign encourages people to go for screening when invited, and to encourage friends and family to do the same."
Some 1,200 UK women are killed by cervical cancer every year.
27 June 2007 15:04:17
A leading financial research firm has claimed that the critical illness insurance industry needs to win back consumer trust.
Defaqto have argued that media reports of rejected claims have led to the majority of customers feeling let down by insurers who provide critical illness cover.
While the blame for many failed claims has been laid at the feet of the policyholder, for neglecting to disclose important information, Defaqto claims that the industry has still not done enough to act upon recommendations from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Nick Telfer, principal consultant for protection, said: "The future for critical illness hinges on rebuilding customer trust and developing products to meet the modern consumer's needs.
"I am concerned that neither the product development needed nor the education necessary to rebuild trust in the product is happening nearly quickly enough. This will inevitably lead to people being potentially left wide-open to the consequences of serious illness."
He added: "The evidence from providers' published statistics is that the vast majority of claims are paid and this is the message the industry needs to get across.
"We believe that rather than providers doing this individually, they need to work together through an industry sponsored campaign to promote the proposition to the consumer."