HIV Income Protection

Income protection insurance replaces a portion of your salary if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. For people living with HIV, this type of cover has historically been difficult to obtain. That is changing. Several UK insurers now consider applications from people with HIV, and full income protection policies that pay out up to retirement age are now available through specialist brokers.

This guide explains how income protection works for people with HIV, what underwriters look for, which types of cover are available, and why income protection is particularly important for mortgage holders.

Can People with HIV Get Income Protection?

Yes. While the market remains more limited than for people without pre existing conditions, income protection for people with HIV is now a reality in the UK. The changes have been driven by improvements in treatment outcomes, better underwriting data, and advocacy from specialist brokers who have worked with insurers to widen access.

The key developments include:

• Full income protection policies are now available that can pay out right up to your retirement age, a significant improvement from the short term only options that were previously the norm
• Some policies have no HIV specific exclusions, meaning you can claim for any illness or injury including those related to HIV
• Deferred periods as short as four weeks are available, providing financial support relatively quickly after you become unable to work
• Group income protection through employers typically covers employees with HIV without additional medical underwriting

How Underwriting Works

When you apply for income protection and disclose an HIV diagnosis, the insurer’s underwriting team will assess your application based on several medical and lifestyle factors.

Viral Load

An undetectable viral load is the most important factor. It demonstrates that your treatment is effective and that the virus is well controlled. Most insurers require an undetectable viral load as a minimum condition for acceptance.

CD4 Count

Insurers typically prefer a CD4 count above 300 to 350. A higher CD4 count indicates stronger immune function and lower risk of opportunistic infections that could lead to a claim. There is a tension between medical and insurance standards here: the British HIV Association (BHIVA) has stated that if a person’s viral load is undetectable, routine CD4 monitoring is not clinically necessary. However, insurers have been slower to adopt this position and still request recent CD4 results, usually within the last 12 months.

Treatment Adherence

Consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy is essential. Insurers will review your medical records for evidence of regular treatment and monitoring. Gaps in treatment or missed appointments can result in higher premiums or a decline.

Medical Evidence

The insurer will typically request a GP report alongside specialist medical evidence. If confidentiality is a concern, some specialist brokers can arrange for the insurer to accept a specialist letter showing your CD4 count and viral load, avoiding the need to contact your GP directly. This is particularly useful if your GP is not aware of your diagnosis.

Deferred Periods

The deferred period is the waiting time between becoming unable to work and when the policy starts paying out. Common options include:

• 4 weeks: The shortest available option, providing the quickest financial support. Premiums are higher because the insurer is more likely to pay out.
• 8 weeks: A common middle ground that balances cost and protection.
• 13 weeks: Often chosen by people who have savings or employer sick pay to cover the initial period.
• 26 weeks: Offers lower premiums but requires a longer period of self funding before the policy pays out.

Choose a deferred period based on how long you could sustain yourself financially without income. If your employer offers sick pay for three months, a 13 week deferred period avoids overlap and keeps premiums lower.

Types of Cover

Own Occupation

This is the most comprehensive type. The policy pays out if you are unable to perform the specific duties of your own job. For example, if you are a surgeon and a condition affecting your hands prevents you from operating, an own occupation policy would pay out even if you could technically do other work. This is the type to aim for if it is available to you.

Any Occupation

This pays out only if you are unable to perform any job for which you are suited by education, training, or experience. It is harder to claim on because you would need to be unable to do a wide range of work, not just your current role. Premiums are lower, but the protection is less comprehensive.

Suited Occupation

A middle ground between own occupation and any occupation. The insurer assesses whether you could do a job suited to your experience and qualifications. This definition is less restrictive than any occupation but broader than own occupation.

Exclusions

The most important thing to check in any income protection policy is whether it contains an HIV specific exclusion. Older policies and some current providers exclude claims related to HIV, meaning you could not claim if an HIV related illness prevented you from working.

The best policies available through specialist brokers have no HIV specific exclusions. This means you can claim for any condition, whether or not it is connected to HIV. When comparing policies, always ask your broker to confirm the exclusion terms in writing.

Premiums

Income protection premiums for people with HIV are typically higher than standard rates. The additional cost reflects the perceived higher risk, although this gap is narrowing as underwriting data improves.

Premiums are influenced by your age, occupation, income level, deferred period, benefit amount, policy term, and your medical profile (viral load, CD4 count, treatment history). As a general principle, a younger applicant with an undetectable viral load, a strong CD4 count, and a desk based occupation will pay the lowest loading above standard rates.

Why Income Protection Matters for Mortgage Holders

If you have a mortgage, your monthly repayments are your largest fixed expense. If illness or injury prevents you from working, income protection ensures those repayments can still be met. Without it, you risk falling behind on your mortgage, which could ultimately lead to repossession.

Income protection is particularly relevant for people with HIV because:

• While HIV itself is well managed with treatment, it can increase vulnerability to other conditions that may affect your ability to work
• If you are on a Skilled Worker or other visa type, losing your income could have immigration consequences as well as financial ones
• Mortgage lenders do not generally require income protection as a condition of lending, but having it in place provides peace of mind and genuine financial resilience

Combining Income Protection with Life Insurance

Income protection and life insurance serve different purposes. Life insurance pays out a lump sum if you die. Income protection pays a regular monthly benefit if you cannot work. For comprehensive financial protection, particularly if you have a mortgage and dependants, it is worth having both.

A specialist broker can review your full circumstances and recommend a package that covers both risks at the most competitive combined cost. In some cases, applying for both through the same insurer can simplify the medical underwriting process.

Group Income Protection Through Employers

If your employer offers group income protection as part of your benefits package, this is often the easiest way to obtain cover. Group schemes typically do not require individual medical underwriting, so having HIV does not affect your eligibility. However, there are limitations:

• Cover is tied to your employment. If you leave the company, the cover ends.
• Higher earners may be required to complete a medical questionnaire, which could affect the terms.
• The benefit level may not fully replace your income, particularly if you are a higher earner.

If you have group cover through work, it may still be worth exploring an individual policy to supplement it, especially if you are relying on your income to cover a mortgage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get income protection if I have HIV?

Yes. Full income protection policies are now available to people with HIV through specialist brokers. The terms depend on your viral load, CD4 count, and treatment history.

Will the policy exclude HIV related claims?

Not necessarily. The best policies have no HIV specific exclusions, but this varies by insurer. Always confirm the exclusion terms before committing to a policy.

How much of my income can I protect?

Most policies cover between 50% and 70% of your gross income, depending on the provider and your circumstances.

What deferred period should I choose?

This depends on your savings and any employer sick pay you would receive. If you have three months of savings or sick pay, a 13 week deferred period keeps premiums lower while ensuring you are covered once those resources run out.

Is income protection tax free?

If you pay the premiums yourself, the benefit is usually paid tax free. If your employer pays the premiums, the benefit may be subject to income tax.

Can I get income protection if I was recently diagnosed?

Some insurers impose a deferral period of six to twelve months after diagnosis before they will consider an application. This allows your treatment response to be established. A specialist broker can advise on timing.

Related Pages

• Life Insurance
• HIV Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Cover

Speak to a Mortgage Adviser

If you have questions or want to discuss your options, book a free discovery call below.

Book a Free Discovery Call

---

Your home may be repossessed if you don’t keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Knox Mortgages is a trading style of Fort Advice Bureau which is regulated and authorised by the FCA to conduct Mortgage and Protection business, FRN: 972730