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Original poster

Insurance Company has asked me to have a HIV test - Not happy and quite offended.

42 replies

wotdouthink · 19/05/2006 12:01

Dh and I are applying for critical illness insurance etc to go with our mortgage, we expected intrusive questions etc, but I am really upset this morning to recieve a letter asking me to take a HIV test Shock, to be honest I find this quite insulting, also, I am having gynae problems and they want and in depth report on what is wrong

Has anyone else experienced this? What do you think about it, or am I being touchy, I last had my blood tested when I was pregnant with dd2, apparantly it is procedure now when pregnant to test for HIV.

OP posts:
yorkshirelass79 · 19/05/2006 12:05

Shock How awful! Are they allowed to do that?

Original poster
wotdouthink · 19/05/2006 12:07

I don't know, but i'm so offended that I'm close to tears here.

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/05/2006 12:08

It's a bit naughty I think. Many policies exclude cover for HIV anyway.

yorkshirelass79 · 19/05/2006 12:09

Who is the insurance with? We have critical illness with our mortgage and just had to tick boxes, have you ever had x y z, blah blah. No tests though! No wonder you're offended!

CountessDracula · 19/05/2006 12:09

why are you offended?

Surely they have the right to ask for screening and you have the right to refuse and not take their insurance!

Honestly, I applied for life insurance and they wanted to know about my ingrowing toenail in 1837.

misdee · 19/05/2006 12:10

wouldnt bother me. dh has had several HIV tests, in 2005, he was suffering recrrent 'chest' problems, losing weight etc and had other symptons. and they wanted to do a HIV tests at the hospital, just to be sure. dh has tattooes which is always a questionmark area, so doc asked to do the tests. turned out he was in end stage heart failure, which we knew anyway. Angrythey were also repeated when he got to harefield to go on the transplant list. its standard procedure.

he is negative btw, which we knew anyway.

marthamoo · 19/05/2006 12:11

I think that's appalling. I was asked if I had had an HIV test when I applied for insurance - though not what the result was, if I had had one. Apparently just the fact that you have had a test can be enough for them to turn you down - they take it as an indicator of a 'dodgy' lifestyle. I would choose another insurance company, frankly.

Oh and, for interest, it is procedure to test for HIV while you're pregnant these days - but it's not compulsory. I refused.

marthamoo · 19/05/2006 12:12

I wouldn't be offended though - it's not personal - they will do it with everyone. Just tell them you're taking your business elsewhere!

Original poster
wotdouthink · 19/05/2006 12:12

I am offended becuase in my application there is NOTHING to remotely imply that I could have contracted HIV, I have never done drugs, or, being further than spain. My hubby however visited the clap clinic (20+ years ago), has declared this and is not required to take a test.

OP posts:
Original poster
wotdouthink · 19/05/2006 12:14

I have spoken to the company, and they have said point blank that if I do not have an hiv test that they will not insure me.

OP posts:
marthamoo · 19/05/2006 12:15

Have you asked them why they want you to have a test and not your husband? That would piss me off.

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 19/05/2006 12:16

Virgin introduced HIV testing for their insurance products a number of years ago, allows them to keep their premiums down. Not sure why you would find it insulting tbh, they don't know anything about you, they just want to pay out the mimimum possible.

Original poster
wotdouthink · 19/05/2006 12:16

Yes and they have said that it is because of something that I put in my questionnaire, the only illnesses I put were post natal depression and heavy periods etc

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 19/05/2006 12:16

I'd go elsewhere then - as marthamoo says just taking a test and having to declare that in the future can mean you have problems getting insurance.

CountessDracula · 19/05/2006 12:17

I still don't see what there is to be offended about. If you think you don't have it then what is the issue? It is not a personal attack on you, they probably just randomly ask for a certain percentage of applicants to be tested

marthamoo · 19/05/2006 12:17

If you've had PND you'll probably get turned down anyway - I was.

Original poster
wotdouthink · 19/05/2006 12:19

marthamoo, which insurance company was it?

OP posts:
VeniVidiVickiQV · 19/05/2006 12:25

I dont see why you are offended either, tbh. Its standard procedure to have HIV tests when you are pg nowadays.

I wonder though, whether, if you have had a blood transfusion or some surgical procedure before a certain date.

daisy1999 · 19/05/2006 12:38

I would be worried for any future insurance as other companies ask if you've had an Hiv test and if you have you are considered high risk!

GDG · 19/05/2006 12:43

I wouldn't be offended either tbh. It'll just be a standard request, not a personal thing.

Bit shocked that having been tested can be a negative thing! When pg with ds3 it was offered with my normal blood test - I knew I didn't have it but thought there'd be no harm in having the test done so I know absolutely categorically! Remind me not to declare that on any forms! God, you can't the number of partners I've had on one hand with fingers left over!!!!

GDG · 19/05/2006 12:44

sorry, you can count the number of partners I've had on one hand with fingers left over!! pmsl!

NotQuiteCockney · 19/05/2006 12:45

But it is weird that they're asking her, and not her DH. (Although, it is much easier for women to catch HIV from men than vice versa.)

GDG · 19/05/2006 12:47

Yes, I'd be annoyed in that situation - or confused. I'd ring them up and find out what I put on the application that lead to the request.

arfy · 19/05/2006 12:49

sorry - you can get turned down for having PND Marthamoo - REALLY????

Jimjamskeepingoffvaxthreads · 19/05/2006 13:59

GDG- if you've had it as part of standard screening its not a problem at all. I declared it for a recent application- said only as part of satandard pregnancy screening and they were fine. It was not counted.

If anyone does get HIV testing at a specialist clinic they can get it done under a false name anyway.