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Help and advice
| Last updated: 18.06.04 |
Financial advisers
An independent financial adviser, not attached to any particular insurance company, is the best place to go for financial advice. All insurance companies (other than Prudential) and all financial advisors should be members of the Personal Investment Authority (PIA). This information should be on their advertising material, business cards or letter heads.
Voluntary agencies
Voluntary agencies cannot give you financial advice, but will be able to give you advice about the law and problems in the area of insurance and mortgages generally. Advice is available from:
Mortgage brokers
In general, mortgage brokers and independent financial advisers are ill–informed about the ways in which HIV–related insurance problems can be avoided. It will save a lot of time if you go to financial advisers who have developed expertise in dealing with such problems. You might get good advice from some of the brokers who regularly advertise in the gay press (Pink Paper, Boyz, Gay Times) or who are featured in directories of business services targeted at the gay community. London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard (020 7837 7324) may be able to provide details of brokers.
Complaints about insurance companies
If you have a complaint about the way you have been treated by an insurance company, the first thing to do is to complain to the company. If you get no satisfaction, the Insurance Ombudsman or the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman may be able to help. The Ombudsmen cannot usually deal with complaints about the level of premium you are being charged but they can deal with anything which shows bad or inefficient practice.
The Terrence Higgins Trust Insurance Working Party is also interested to hear about insurance company practices and your individual experience.
An independent financial adviser, not attached to any particular insurance company, is the best place to go for financial advice. All insurance companies (other than Prudential) and all financial advisors should be members of the Personal Investment Authority (PIA). This information should be on their advertising material, business cards or letter heads.
Voluntary agencies
Voluntary agencies cannot give you financial advice, but will be able to give you advice about the law and problems in the area of insurance and mortgages generally. Advice is available from:
- Terrence Higgins Trust 52–54 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8JU 020 7831 0330. Can help with legal questions concerning insurance and mortgages. The Advice Centre also publishes a leaflet on insurance.
- The Hæmophilia Society, Chesterfield House, 385 Euston Road, London NW1 3AU 020 7380 0600. Publishes leaflets which give advice on all aspects of insurance for people with hæmophilia.
Mortgage brokers
In general, mortgage brokers and independent financial advisers are ill–informed about the ways in which HIV–related insurance problems can be avoided. It will save a lot of time if you go to financial advisers who have developed expertise in dealing with such problems. You might get good advice from some of the brokers who regularly advertise in the gay press (Pink Paper, Boyz, Gay Times) or who are featured in directories of business services targeted at the gay community. London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard (020 7837 7324) may be able to provide details of brokers.
Complaints about insurance companies
If you have a complaint about the way you have been treated by an insurance company, the first thing to do is to complain to the company. If you get no satisfaction, the Insurance Ombudsman or the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman may be able to help. The Ombudsmen cannot usually deal with complaints about the level of premium you are being charged but they can deal with anything which shows bad or inefficient practice.
- Insurance Ombudsman Bureau, City Gate One, 135 Park Street, London SE1 9EA 020 7928 4488
- The Personal Investment Authority, Ombudsman Bureau, 6th floor, 1 London Wall, London EC2Y 5EA 020 7600 3838.
The Terrence Higgins Trust Insurance Working Party is also interested to hear about insurance company practices and your individual experience.