Denied Insurance because of ADD

Bjornsides

I have been denied life insurance because I have ADD. Is there a reason why they would deny a 26 year old man for a condition which has no effect of life expectancy? I am on Ritalin for my ADD.

fwor

It may be that they have stats that show a higher accidental death rate for that condition (or possibly across a whole range of conditions of which ADD is just one).

Unfortunately insurance companies can get away with discriminating against people in (almost) any way they like, and there's not much you can do about it, other than to try different companies.

raskazz

fwor wrote: »

It may be that they have stats that show a higher accidental death rate for that condition (or possibly across a whole range of conditions of which ADD is just one).

If the insurer is "grouping" conditions to determine their underwriting approach then this would be a breach of the Disability Discrimination Acts.

OP - four questions:

1) Is the condition one which the DVLA have to be notified of?
2) If so, have you notified the DVLA?
3) If you have notified the DVLA, have they agreed to you holding a licence?
4) Who are the insurer?

Bjornsides

I don't drive. I live in London, so there's no need. I don't even have a UK license. It was Aviva.

weighty1_2

errr, raskazz, read the question. The OP has been denied LIFE insurance

Bjornsides, could there be something in you past which has caused them to decline terms (not saying there is, but the below would be possible reasons):

Drug usage?
Suicidal thoughts/attempts?
bipolar/manic depression?
psychotic episodes?

You could always ask your doctors surgery for a copy of the report as you may be able to figure out why the insurers would decline to offer terms based on the information, however, your surgery does not have to provide a copy if they feel is could cause you physical or mental harm for you to see the report

Bjornsides

I did disclose drug usage within the past five years, and I would have understood if that was the only reason for them denying me insurance, but I don't understand what ADD would have to do with anything. This the reasons for them denying my insurance was because of the past recreational drug use, and ADD.

I was expecting to have my premiums sky rocket because of the past recreational drug use, but was not expecting the ADD to effect my plan in any way.

anniecave

Do you know for sure the reason is soley because you have ADD specifically?

Some insurers may decline to insure you if you have ANY health condition, no matter whether it's something quite common and not likely to be a serious risk to health, or whether it could lead to something more serious.

As an example, I recall once a website refused to quote me for travel insurance because I listed that I suffered from hay fever.

They're just being really picky, so that's unfortunatly just the way things are.

Was it a specific provider that refused to cover you, or was it a search website that might just have been having a "glitch" at that moment in time?

weighty1_2

Depending on the frequency of drug use and the drugs taken this would have probably been the major factor in relation to being declined but the underwriters were probably considering your condition and how this affects your likelihood of further/future drug use and so would be an additional risk factor.

The "reasons why" letters that most insurers post out in these circumstances are very generic and whilst the ADD was specifically mentioned it is probably only mentioned as it was a major disclosure on the application.

Blackpool_Saver

I think it will be the drug use, add or adhd ?

weighty1_2

anniecave wrote: »

Do you know for sure the reason is soley because you have ADD specifically?

Some insurers may decline to insure you if you have ANY health condition, no matter whether it's something quite common and not likely to be a serious risk to health, or whether it could lead to something more serious.

As an example, I recall once a website refused to quote me for travel insurance because I listed that I suffered from hay fever.

They're just being really picky, so that's unfortunatly just the way things are.

Was it a specific provider that refused to cover you, or was it a search website that might just have been having a "glitch" at that moment in time?

Life insurance is underwritten in a far more in-depth way than things such as travel insurance and companies do not just decide to be "picky" or decline clients for none serious conditions.

It appears the OP has already mentioned why he was declined in an early post.