Insurance firms agreed yesterday to stop prying into their customers' sexual history to find evidence of a possible future risk of contracting HIV or other serious infections.

In a deal with the British Medical Association, the companies said they would not seek information from doctors that might unnecessarily deter patients from seeking help.

It was feared that people were not coming forward to be tested for HIV or sexually transmitted infections for fear that they might be refused life insurance. Under new guidelines from the BMA and the Association of British Insurers, doctors will not be expected to disclose episodes of sexually transmitted infection, provided there were no long-term health implications.

The insurers agreed not to ask whether an applicant had taken an HIV or Hepatitis B or C test, had counselling for such a test, or had a negative test result.

Insurers have agreed to ask only for positive test results, information that a test result is awaited, or evidence that the patient is receiving treatment for HIV/Aids or Hepatitis B or C.