Posted by photojenny on March 31, 2003, at 7:17:26
In reply to Re: Medical Insurance - UK Members, posted by cybercafe on March 30, 2003, at 19:42:58
> strange.. how is depression relevent to house insurance?
Well, the problem is with life insurance (which of course is essential for securing a mortgage). People with other illnesses find it extremely difficult - if not impossible - to get mortgages for this reason. So illnesses like HIV/AIDS, cancer, etc. are really dicey. I`m guessing that the assumption is that someone with depression is likely to end their life, and therefore insurance is denied.Problems that mentally ill people have with getting insurance (or what insurance companies would categorise as `mental illness`) are well-known and well documented.
My post was as a result of an article in the Depression Alliance magazine, where a survey was carried out for holiday insurance. This was the script they used: "I`m off on holiday to Spain ... and I`m just ringing around to get quotes on holiday/travel insurance ... I should also probably mention that I have a history of depression - does that make any difference to the price or level of cover? Yes I am taking anti-depressants"
Churchill - would not accept any claim relating to a pre-existing medical condition (i.e. depression).
Prudential - said that the condition was 'very high risk' and that no cover would be available for anything relating to the depression.
Direct Line - said that the price would be significantly higher.
Eagle Star - said that depression was not covered.
Options Travel Insurance - said that they wouldn`t be able to cover any claims relating to depression.
.... it`s not fair at all, but that`s just an indication of the ignorance out there.
poster:photojenny
thread:211823
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030326/msgs/214659.html