life insurance but i had mental health issues in the past

sophlouwhit

can anyone recommend a insurance policy that will not judge you for having past mental health issues, i have tried a comparison site and most refuse me cover based on this..

this is because in August i went thru a very bad period in life and had a attempt at my life - this has all now passed but of course its on my medical records etc so i cant 'pretend' it never happened.. can anyone recommend a provider who wont judge based on this? thank you in advanced.

Old_Lifer

You have had  'past mental health issues '     and have  attempted suicide within the last year ?

A Life Office will not judge you.   It will seek to assess the risk going forwards.

coachman12

sophlouwhit said:

can anyone recommend a insurance policy that will not judge you for having past mental health issues, i have tried a comparison site and most refuse me cover based on this..

this is because in August i went thru a very bad period in life and had a attempt at my life - this has all now passed but of course its on my medical records etc so i cant 'pretend' it never happened.. can anyone recommend a provider who wont judge based on this? thank you in advanced.

I am so sorry to hear of your recent major issues. I hope the underlying cause(s) is now firmly behind you. Last August is just too recent for any insurance company to just make it a "thing of the past". You won't get any standard life term policy as far as I can see. But a bit of research does show that there are specialist companies which may make it possible for you to be treated like any other applicant as long as you accept that suicide is treated as non exclusion forever. I believe ( but cannot be sure) that big companies such as Aviva can also offer " bespoke" terms such as above.
I am doubtful of my own brief glance at google because Old_Lifer can always be relied upon as the expert on this Forum.
But my own view is that you should ask a broker or insurance company if they offer "bespoke" term policies that are "normal" except for excluding suicide for the entire term of the policy ?
I have no idea whether they are any good but I noticed, as starters----
https://www.specialrisksbureau.co.uk/health-conditions/suicide-attempt/     and
https://www.unitelife.org/  and try a few big companies about "bespoke" policies : Aviva etc.
Good luck and be happy. All the very best.

Old_Lifer

Weighty 1,   who  has good  current market knowledge.  may be able to assist  and  expand on what  coachman12  has posted above.

[Deleted User]

 I got insurance with legal and general after a borderline diagnosis and suicidal ideation. 
But I was first rejected, waited a year and applied again. Was accepted at a highish premium, well higher than my hubby who's older. 

Weighty1

Old_Lifer said:

Weighty 1,   who  has good  current market knowledge.  may be able to assist  and  expand on what  coachman12  has posted above.

Thank you
OP, unfortunately, Old_Lifer is correct.  Applying for cover now is likely to be futile due to the fact that this episode is within  the last year.  Even if the attempt was within the last 3-years the majority of providers will not consider offering terms, although 1-2 may.  It would be very dependent on the overall picture of your past mental health.  If, for example, you have attempted suicide more than once but the other attempt is several years ago then I'm afraid that would be seen as a warning flag for most insurers.  If it's a isolated event then it would be looked at more favourably.  This is definitely a case that you'd want the assistance of a specialist broker on.
Once you are accepted, there is likely to be a fairly significant loading on the premium, probably in the region of 150%+.  This means a £20/month premium becomes £50/month upon completion of the underwriting, which will almost certainly require a GP report.  This means, in instances like these it can be favourable to review the cover frequently in the first 3-5 years and provided there were no more issues at that point you would be in a far more favourable position to obtain decent terms.

TELLIT01

Would cover be available at nearer standard rates if the OP were to accept an exclusion for suicide?

Weighty1

TELLIT01 said:

Would cover be available at nearer standard rates if the OP were to accept an exclusion for suicide?

No, unfortunately life insurance companies won't add suicide exclusions to their plans, except for the standard exclusion in the first 12-months.  Presumably this is because suicide can take such wide range forms it could be extremely difficult and contentious to deny a claim which is genuinely an accident. 

lisatracee

yes Weighty1 said:

TELLIT01 said:

Would cover be available at nearer standard rates if the OP were to accept an exclusion for suicide?

No, unfortunately life insurance companies won't add suicide exclusions to their plans, except for the standard exclusion in the first 12-months.  Presumably this is because suicide can take such wide range forms it could be extremely difficult and contentious to deny a claim which is genuinely an accident. 

Yes, you are right life insurance companies pay to the person who's death is genuinely an accident. 

Old_Lifer

It doesn't  have to be  an accident  !       Most deaths are natural causes.

Weighty1

And even those that are suicide generally pay out once the plans have been in force for more than 12-months