Post by Little Owl on Feb 1, 2012 12:09:04 GMT
If you look on the internet, people with mental health disorders are saying they had to pay between £500-£2,000 for travel insurance. Huge money.
Anyway, I have just had the delight of going through the process myself as we intend to go to Vietnam around Easter. My particular problems are ADHD and comorbid bipolar II (manic-depressive disorder). Here are the results:
As a family we have good quality annual travel insurance from UK Insurance PLC. It is an add on to a the flag ship current account from Natwest Bank.
For those who are worried about lots of forms and doctors appointments and the like, rest assured. They asked only 3 questions and my answers in brackets.
1. Have you ever been hospitalised involuntarily? (No)
2. Have you had a drug free period in the last 3 years? (No)
3. Have you ever had a holiday cancelled as a result of your condition? (No)
I think they are looking for stability and adherence to whatever your doctor prescribes as a drug regime.
ADHD in adults (don’t know about children) is not recognised as condition and so I presume has no effect on the insurance premiums they would quote.
The additional premium, which we paid, was £80 per annum. Good value considering the quotes above. In addition, given the quality of the insurance, if I do go manic, forget my pills, have my bag (and pills) stolen etc then we have the backup of a fast network to get my pills to me.
I’m on Lamotrigine, trust me I can feel if I haven’t taken my pills in the morning by the afternoon. So fast action is a serious consideration.
There are specialist travel companies who deal with mental health issues listed on the MIND site.
Anyway, I’m not going to go manic; just enjoy the holiday. At least that’s the positive self talk I’ve got to keep in my head.
There is a more emotional depressing aspect to this, which I think is difficult for “normal” people to understand. That is, because my head is not right, I cause the family money and problems that other do not face. Hey, that’s just another guilt trip I face as I have to live with ADHD and bipolar.
Anyway, I have just had the delight of going through the process myself as we intend to go to Vietnam around Easter. My particular problems are ADHD and comorbid bipolar II (manic-depressive disorder). Here are the results:
As a family we have good quality annual travel insurance from UK Insurance PLC. It is an add on to a the flag ship current account from Natwest Bank.
For those who are worried about lots of forms and doctors appointments and the like, rest assured. They asked only 3 questions and my answers in brackets.
1. Have you ever been hospitalised involuntarily? (No)
2. Have you had a drug free period in the last 3 years? (No)
3. Have you ever had a holiday cancelled as a result of your condition? (No)
I think they are looking for stability and adherence to whatever your doctor prescribes as a drug regime.
ADHD in adults (don’t know about children) is not recognised as condition and so I presume has no effect on the insurance premiums they would quote.
The additional premium, which we paid, was £80 per annum. Good value considering the quotes above. In addition, given the quality of the insurance, if I do go manic, forget my pills, have my bag (and pills) stolen etc then we have the backup of a fast network to get my pills to me.
I’m on Lamotrigine, trust me I can feel if I haven’t taken my pills in the morning by the afternoon. So fast action is a serious consideration.
There are specialist travel companies who deal with mental health issues listed on the MIND site.
Anyway, I’m not going to go manic; just enjoy the holiday. At least that’s the positive self talk I’ve got to keep in my head.
There is a more emotional depressing aspect to this, which I think is difficult for “normal” people to understand. That is, because my head is not right, I cause the family money and problems that other do not face. Hey, that’s just another guilt trip I face as I have to live with ADHD and bipolar.