IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Money and Mental Health response to Which? travel insurance research
22 May 2025
New research published today (22 May 2025) by Which? has shown that declaring medical conditions can see insurance premiums rise by staggering amounts.
In a particularly shocking case, a traveller with bipolar and personality disorder saw their premiums with one insurer increase by 1,159 percent after declaring their conditions.
This is in line with previous research by Money and Mental Health, which revealed that customers with mental health problems are being priced out by high insurance premiums, experiencing unfair exclusions on insurance products and being declined insurance cover, even when their conditions are historic and well-managed.
A mystery shopping exercise by Money and Mental Health found that a ‘customer’ with severe bipolar disorder was declined cover by 9 travel insurance providers out of 15 tested, and in situations when cover was offered, the price quoted was up to 27 times higher than that quoted to a customer without mental health problems.
Commenting on the new Which? research, Conor D’Arcy, Deputy Chief Executive of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said:
“This research highlights once again the eye-watering premiums people can face when they disclose a mental health problem to travel insurers. Our own research has shown that people with bipolar disorder can be charged up to 27 times more than customers with no medical condition, while some people with mental health problems are being refused cover altogether.
“These pricing decisions are being made by insurers behind locked doors — meaning that it’s impossible to tell if they are based on fair and accurate data.
“We urge the Financial Conduct Authority to urgently investigate whether people with mental health problems are being unfairly penalised by insurance providers, and to ensure that these decisions are compliant with key financial regulations and legislation like the Equality Act.”
ENDS
Contact:
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Notes to Editors
- The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute was set up by Martin Lewis in spring 2016, registered charity number 1166493.
- It conducts research and develops policies for essential services firms, regulators, the health service and government to help people with mental health problems protect themselves from financial difficulties and get out of debt.
- Martin Lewis OBE, Money Saving Expert, is an award-winning campaigning broadcaster, newspaper columnist and author. He founded MoneySavingExpert.com in 2003 for £100 and remains its full-time Editor-in-Chief. It is now the UK’s biggest money site, with more than 14 million monthly users. Martin has his own prime-time ITV programme – The Martin Lewis Money Show – and is resident expert on This Morning, Good Morning Britain and BBC Radio 5 Live’s Consumer Panel, among others.
- Helen Undy is a passionate mental health campaigner and became the Institute’s Director in 2018, having previously led the Institute’s impact and communications work.