Travel Insurance - Declaring Depression

funkey_monkey

Hi,

I'm looking to book a holiday, but I am currently attending my Health Trust for IPT (Inter Personal Theraphy).

I've declared it as Depression on my Insurance and it has added £70 to the policy.

Are there any providers that might be kinder to me?


Thanks.

coylemj

The way things are in the insurance business, you're lucky you weren't simply declined so I'd go for it.

Bear in mind that if you seek a quote for any type of insurance (motor/home/health/travel) and are declined, that in itself needs to be declared to any other potential insurer virtually all of whom explicitly ask the question - 'have you ever been declined cover or have had conditions attached to a policy'? Once you fall into that category, you will find it virtually impossible to get cover from the mainstream companies and you'll have to go to the people who take on high-risk cases.

sarkozy

I'm not sure that depression is something that travel insurance asks for, unless it's severe clinical depression or other forms of mental illness.

For Life Assurance, I had to go through a medical telephone interview and did mention that I had in the past experienced intermittent mild depression for which I was prescribed anti-depressants. I don't believe this affected the premium I pay.

But the rule of thumb with insurance companies is to answer the questions they ask and no more and always be honest.

funkey_monkey

I was hoping not to declare it as I leave my details with family incase they need them, but I'd rather they didn't know I was being treated for depression.

ProudDUB

funkey_monkey wrote: »

I was hoping not to declare it as I leave my details with family incase they need them, but I'd rather they didn't know I was being treated for depression.

Your family need to know sweet eff all about your personal business, unless you choose to tell them about it.

What about having a chat with your GP, or Consultant or whoever referred you to the Health Trust? If you are unable to travel due to receiving treatment & you need to file a claim with the insurance company, won't the providers of your treatment be involved in the chain of paperwork somewhere? They may be able to shed some light on the ramifications of what happens.

Baked.noodle

Basically, they ask if you are prescribed medication, or have any medical conditions. If you answer yes they run you through a computerised heath screening questionnaire that will determine if you are covered for any conditions that are declared. It's very unlikely you will need to claim on the basis of having depression so I would just avoid paying for it if you can, and chances are they wont cover it anyway.

funkey_monkey

Baked.Noodle - if I have to claim for another reason and it comes to light that I did not inform them of depression, they can refuse on the grounds that I did not provide full admissions on my declaration.

Baked.noodle

If they don't ask you to declare any medical issues or proscribed medications then you don't have to tell them (but you can be sure they will ask). If you have been diagnosed with Depression by medical professional and you are asked if you have any medical conditions or proscribed medication then you should tell them. Hypothetically, if you miss the flight for some reason, like a car accident, then depression won't come into it so you should be able to claim. The call will be recorded so just answer the questions you are asked.

Edit: When I said avoid paying for it I meant shop around.