Life insurance declined due to mental health issue 15 years ago?

[Deleted User]

 Very odd. I was declined for mental health that had happened maybe a year before I applied. 

 Went uninsured for 2 years then applied again. Still on medication but no suicidal ideation reported in medical from GP. 

 I was offered expensive insurance which i took as wasn't going to get it cheaper elsewhere. 

 You sure he hasn't discussed mental health problems with GP that ended up in his medical report?  

csgohan4

Sandtree said:

dunstonh said:
If you start to allow non-disclosure of medical conditions, where do you stop?   Suddenly, everyone with a condition from x years ago will be crying foul.   It's a very difficult one to resolve.     Although insurers could reprice on it if forced.  They could just remove suicide cover for everyone or put everyone's premiums up to reflect the statistics.

Not suggesting they should, just saying how they could.

The problem with mental health is you can't take a blood test or a scan to see how the patient is doing. Likewise you cannot prove that someone is cured. 

You'll know much better than I how underwriters react to different metal health conditions but the majority react negatively to those with significant mental health history especially if its been multiple episodes. A very different reaction to those with a physical condition. 

You have made a good point why mental health is not as clear as someone say who had breast cancer. A Scan confirms clearance, where there is no such black and white test for mental health. 

You can relapse mental health for variety of reasons and without warning

Regardless, someone who has a medical/mental health history  will be more statistically claim than someone without history that is fact.  Hence why  premiums and/or cover is awarded accordingly


Having non disclosure of conditions, will just mean either everyone's premiums increases, or they pull out of the market citing unsustainable  conditions.

Sandtree

csgohan4 said:
Having non disclosure of conditions, will just mean either everyone's premiums increases, or they pull out of the market citing unsustainable  conditions.

It would be the same as young drivers when they banned gender as a rating factor, an averaging of premiums will occur.  There was a lot of talk then of insurers pulling out etc but ultimately most are still quoting for young drivers but girls are paying much more than they used to. 

Given mental health is much less than a 50/50 split the impact on those without conditions would likely to be much less than that. 

LucyB83

dunstonh said:

 I think its disgraceful as it took alot for him at that time to be honest as ask for help but now he wished he didnt

If he is thinking like that, is it possible that he still suffers a bit from it?  That is generally not a rational way of thinking about it and could be an indication that mental health is still an issue.

Generally, with mental health, insurers are less concerned about event driven mental health (such as depression following a bereavement).  If the event has had sufficient time pass, they will usually remove suicide cover but often not increase the premium.      However, it is persistent or medically controlled mental health concerns then is more common for them to reject cover.

I dont think its for you to say if you think he still suffers from it!! Ive for support on here as he is just simply disheartened that he cannot get insured from something that happened a long time ago. Also this has only become apparent now we have a loving family and house to think about.

There are no persistent health concerns at all and like i said and hasnt been for over 15 years so to just have a no from insurance companies such as L&G isnt acceptable. We also have a full copy of his medical notes and we can see clearly that there are no other concerns for insurance companies not to insure him.

dunstonh

I dont think its for you to say if you think he still suffers from it!!

I didn't say that.  The lack of rational thought can be an indication though.  

Ive for support on here as he is just simply disheartened that he cannot get insured from something that happened a long time ago.

Insurers are generally quite open to offering life assurance where there have been mental health issues that are considered to be over.  They are generally concerned and reject where mental health may still be an ongoing issue.

So, what is it that the insurers are seeing that makes them think that mental health is still an issue? 

There are no persistent health concerns at all and like i said and hasnt been for over 15 years so to just have a no from insurance companies such as L&G isnt acceptable. We also have a full copy of his medical notes and we can see clearly that there are no other concerns for insurance companies not to insure him.

The insurers do provide further information to their decision that just a no. Although often that will only be given where an independent adviser or broker is involved as they can discuss directly with the underwriters.

Old_Lifer

Just a thought  but I do wonder if all the quotes have been requested online with no human involvement and the computer says no.

dunstonh

Old_Lifer said:

Just a thought  but I do wonder if all the quotes have been requested online with no human involvement and the computer says no.

Good point.   Something like this is usually best dealt with a phone call to an underwriter to get a view before submitting an application.

[Deleted User]

delete 123

csgohan4

[DELETED USER] said:

On balance it's probably better that people with mental health issues can get coverage than some averaging of premiums.

Especially now with large numbers of people with mental health issues due to the pandemic. That and long COVID is going to be a huge issue in the coming years.

Probably why insurers are changing their risk appetite to certain conditions most likely, even someone who is clear of breast cancer for more than 10 years is either unable to get cover or offered a loaded premiums basis, despite no changes in health and having a new cover 2 years previously with the same insurer. .

Just as a lot of insurer pulled out of the unemployment insurance for  good reasons

Weighty1

LucyB83 said:

dunstonh said:

 I think its disgraceful as it took alot for him at that time to be honest as ask for help but now he wished he didnt

If he is thinking like that, is it possible that he still suffers a bit from it?  That is generally not a rational way of thinking about it and could be an indication that mental health is still an issue.

Generally, with mental health, insurers are less concerned about event driven mental health (such as depression following a bereavement).  If the event has had sufficient time pass, they will usually remove suicide cover but often not increase the premium.      However, it is persistent or medically controlled mental health concerns then is more common for them to reject cover.

I dont think its for you to say if you think he still suffers from it!! Ive for support on here as he is just simply disheartened that he cannot get insured from something that happened a long time ago. Also this has only become apparent now we have a loving family and house to think about.

There are no persistent health concerns at all and like i said and hasnt been for over 15 years so to just have a no from insurance companies such as L&G isnt acceptable. We also have a full copy of his medical notes and we can see clearly that there are no other concerns for insurance companies not to insure him.

It's interesting that you mention L&G.  Which other insurers have you tried?  L&G are good for certain things, like those travelling overseas BUT for other things they can be far more stringent than other insurers.  From memory, I think they will automatically decline an application if they record 3 or more episodes of suicide attempts or self harm, even if these were during the same period, so only really one actual episode of depression.  Some other insurers would simply take that period as a single episode, even if there were multiple attempts and would then potentially come up with a far better outcome, especially if there is no significant mental health issues for the last 15-years.