HIV Positive people who are taking out Life Assurance in the UK are insuring themselves for an average of £114,607 - the lowest sum assured in years, research has found.
Medical financial advisers Unusual Risks who surveyed the average amounts of life insurance that HIV positive men and men are taking out said it was a "complete surprise" that cover levels had dropped compared to previous years.
Chris Morgan, Marketing Manager of Unusual Risks, Mortgage & Insurance Services said: "It has come as a complete surprise that the average sum assured of an HIV Life Assurance Policy has decreased over the last year to £114,607."
He added: "However, at the same time over the last twelve months we have
also seen a rapid increase in the number of people taking up HIV Life Assurance products'.
Previous research from Unusual Risks found that the average figures HIV positive people took out were £134,130 in 2012 and £134,667 in 2013.
Although the new figures are "surprising" they reflect changes in the general accessibility of Life Insurance products to the HIV community, Unusual Risks said.
Morgan added: "We believe the volume of people taking HIV Life Assurance has increased by around 140% over the last two years, which seems to have had an effect on the average sum-assured being taken by policy holders.
"We are of course delighted to see that more people with HIV are protecting their homes, mortgages, families and children".
Unusual Risks have been campaigning for a wider range of Life Insurance products and fairer premiums since the launch of HIV Life Assurance back in 2009.
In last year's HIV Life Assurance Survey it was established that 70% of Life Insurance providers now offer cover to people with HIV.
