UKH

Hello,

I am trying to arrange life insurance and critical illness cover for myself, and have to declare both climbing activity (up to around e3) and a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder I received in 2006 but have received no treatment for in around a decade. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with a similar perceived combo of ‘risk’, and whether anyone had any advice on reducing premiums which atm are exceedingly high on quotes. I have one from Summit financial services as well as some mainstream providers but Bipolar diagnosis seems to automatically increase everything by 100-150%

When I was getting quotes from my broker at the same time as my mortgage I made the mistake in telling him that I "occasionally went climbing and caving" and it sent my premiums through the roof. My broker advised that if it wasn't something I was doing more than a couple times a year just to leave it off. So I did and then promptly advised my pals if I was to snuff it doing either activities to drag me out into the road and run me over just to be on the safe side.

But back to topic, re: the bipolar, it's not uncommon for them to hike the prices up, might be worth skimming through this and seeing if any of it is relevant:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/...

EDIT: Also a list of specialist insurers, you might find they are more fair

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/...

Thanks, a really helpful response! Will look into the providers on the Mind pages .

Summit arranged life insurance for me and OH at only slightly more than the cost elsewhere, which allows us to die/be injured whilst climbing. There's an additional premium for one of us due to a history of depression (about 20-25% extra,  IIRC).

If your condition is stable, then a letter from your GP might help to limit the extra premium.