Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2020 to Question 12225 on Mental Health Services: Reciprocal Arrangements, how people with mental health conditions seeking travel insurance will be made aware of the risk that they might be declined cover; and what rights those people will have to challenge such a decision.

New rules and guidance published by the FCA on Wednesday 5^th February require firms to signpost consumers with mental health conditions to specialist providers when they are declined travel insurance cover on account of their condition.

Insurers must treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules. Furthermore, the FCA also states that an insurer’s communications should be clear, fair and not misleading.

If consumers believe they have been treated unfairly by their insurer, or if they believe that their insurer has not communicated with them in a clear manner, they should first make a formal complaint to the insurer, before referring the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

It is for regulators to determine the powers they use to address problems in the markets they regulate. They are authorised to impose fines, order injunctions, bring criminal prosecution and issue public censure when disciplinary action against a firm or individual is taken. The FCA sets out their enforcement powers on their website.