Travel insurance
A travel insurer cannot refuse a travel policy to a person with a mental health problem. However, if you make a claim as a result of your mental health problem the insurer may not have to pay out if they can justify that your illness put you at a greater risk of getting ill.
A travel insurer may also exclude cover for a pre-existing condition. If you become ill from an illness (including mental illness) that you had before you applied and you need treatment or to return home during your holiday, you may not be covered. If however you suffer from an illness not linked to your mental health condition, you should be paid as normal.
Most standard travel insurance policies, such as the ones you might be offered by a travel agent, exclude pre-existing conditions, including mental health problems. If you book a holiday you will probably need to take out separate travel insurance to cover you for your mental health problems.
When you book your insurance you may have to call a medical screening line. They will ask you a series of questions about your health and your condition to determine whether you are excluded from their policy and if not, how much the premium will be. Sometimes even insurers who insure people with mental illness will not insure you if you have been in hospital for you illness over a given period of time (most commonly, 12 months) prior to your date of travel. In addition, it is unlikely you will be given travel insurance if your doctor has advised you not to travel.
Below are lists of travel insurers who will insure people with pre-existing conditions, including mental illness.
All Clear Travel
Tel: 08712 088 579
Web: www.allcleartravel.co.uk
Address: AllClear Travel Insurance Services, 6th Floor, Regents House, Hubert Road Brentwood, Essex CM14 4JE
Orbis Bureau Insurance Services
e-mail: cover@orbis-insure.co.uk
web: www.orbis-insure.co.uk
Tel: 01424 220110
Free Spirit Travel Insurance
Tel: 0845 230 5000
Address: Free Spirit, PJ Hayman & Company Ltd., Stansted House, Rowland's Castle, Hampshire, PO9 6DX
Web: www.free-spirit.com
J & M Insurance PLC
Tel: 0207 446 76 26
Email: enquiries@jmi.co.uk
Web: www.jmi.co.uk
Medicover
Tel: 0870 735 3600
Web:www.medi-cover.co.uk
MDF The Bipolar Organisation
The MDF Bipolar Organisation set up the first travel insurance scheme for people with mental health problems. The organisation liaised with brokers to arrange travel insurance for people who are members of MDF.
Tel: 020 7793 2600
E-mail: mdf@mdf.org.uk
Address: Castle Works, 21 St. George's Road, London SE1 6ES
Web: www.mdf.org.uk
Venture Sure
Tel: 0845 230 3521 Open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
E-mail: info@venturesure.co.uk
Address: Stansted House,Rowlands Castle, Hampshire. PO9 6DX
Web: www.venturesure.co.uk
