The insurance industry this week published new guidelines on HIV which campaigners say should mean gay men will finally be treated fairly by financial companies.

Firms have a year to adopt the Association of British Insurers' best practice guidelines on HIV and insurance.

They will mean the end of "gay questions" on life insurance application forms, says Chris Morgan, an independent financial adviser and editor of gay finance website Pinkfinance.com

These intrusive personal questions are to be replaced with a new "common question" that is to be asked of all risk groups regardless of sexuality, he adds.

"Gay men no longer will be asked about their sexuality when applying for life assurance, critical illness cover or income protection." And insurers will not be able to make assumptions about an individual's sexuality on the basis of their occupation.

The ABI says the new statement of best practice "ensures that companies only ask for information that is relevant, and then only do so in a way that respects each individual customer". It adds: "HIV remains a sensitive subject where public attitudes are changing fast."

The statement is available from abi.org.uk