Breaking barriers in underwriting HIV with Life Guide

HIV has been considered a barrier to life insurance for decades, leaving millions without access to financial protection. Since mid-1990, the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV from a terminal illness into a manageable chronic condition, changing the narrative and transforming lives.

Today, there are more than 40 million people living with HIV according to the World Health Organization. Encouragingly, 77% of those people now receive antiretroviral therapy, making it possible for them to have a near-normal life expectancy and quality of life. Despite these medical advances, people with HIV can still face challenges. ¹

Swiss Re’s Life Guide, our industry-leading underwriting manual, is empowering life insurance underwriters to make reasoned, evidence-based decisions about applicants’ health risks, including HIV.  In 2022, Swiss Re updated Life Guide to provide clearer guidance on HIV giving the industry a reliable standard to assess this risk accurately and offer fair pricing.

We're seeing an impact: through 2025, 370 companies across 76 countries used Life Guide to confidently underwrite individuals living with HIV.

In 2024, Swiss Re took a major step forward, introducing a built-in generative AI assistant known as Life Guide Scout. With this powerful tool, underwriters can access targeted guidance on HIV cases quickly and efficiently. This eliminates lengthy searches and accelerating the underwriting process, reducing errors.

Swiss Re supports a more inclusive approach for people living with HIV, helping to strengthen financial security and resilience worldwide. Through the development of tools like Life Guide and Life Guide Scout, we aim to contribute to industry progress and encourage broader access for those who need it most.