Table of contents:
Cheap Car Insurance For Disabled Drivers – Car insurance for disabled drivers is a little different than most people. Impaired drivers must also consider the cost of repairing or replacing modified cars and vans with expensive adaptive equipment. Here’s what you need to know.
Charge higher rates because of your actual claim history – even if your disabilities contributed to one or more of your previous accidents in some way.
Cheap Car Insurance For Disabled Drivers
Charge a higher premium – or even deny you the policy altogether – if their decision is based on sound actuarial data and principles, not on speculation.
How Does Car Insurance Work?
That is, car insurance companies can charge a higher premium if your disability clearly puts you at a higher risk for accidents on the road.
Auto insurance companies may also charge higher premiums if you want them to insure expensive customization and adaptive technology features in the vehicle itself.
In some jurisdictions, certain medical conditions may affect your driver’s license, and you may have limitations in your ability to drive. Doctors can notify your state’s DMV about your medical condition, and they can place limitations or conditions on your driver’s license. For example, a driver with vision loss may have a restricted license that prohibits them from driving at night.
If your medical condition requires a doctor’s approval to drive, the insurance company may charge you a higher premium on that basis.
Temporary And Short Term Vehicle Insurance
If you have adaptive technology in your car, or you have modified it in any way, you should tell your insurance agent. Otherwise, your car will only be insured for the unmodified value of the car. And that can leave you woefully underinsured if your car is damaged, stolen, or destroyed.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the cost of a new car with adaptive equipment can top $80,000.
The cost of general modifications and adaptive features to accommodate drivers with disabilities generally ranges from $15,000 to $30,000.
If you need to replace your vehicle tomorrow, you’ll likely need to replace all the adaptive technology and necessary modifications.
Senior Driver Facts And Statistics
Medicaid probably only covers the basics, and neither Medicaid nor Medicare usually provides full coverage for the cost of a wheelchair van.
If you only have a standard full coverage auto insurance policy for your make and model, it may not provide enough coverage. Just having liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage isn’t enough: If your car is destroyed due to a covered peril or incident, your standard auto insurance policy will only cover the value of the car. NOT additional adaptive devices and modifications.
So if you have a brand new Dodge van that costs $40,000, and you’ve had $10,000 worth of adaptive equipment installed so you can drive it, your standard insurance policy will.
Cover you up to the value of a similar van of that make and model, age, mileage, and condition, but with no major modifications.
Types Of Car Insurance Coverages
Take the $1,000 deductible on top of that, and you’ll be facing out-of-pocket costs of at least $11,000.
To fully protect yourself, and ensure you can regain the mobility, independence, and lifestyle you had before losing your modified vehicle, you need two types
The difference between the two is important: Disability equipment coverage is cheaper but narrower than specialty equipment coverage.
If you have a more complicated modification, such as a lowered chassis or Scott Driving System, you should look for a policy and
Why Is Car Insurance Mandatory? (2023)
Many auto insurance policies cover the cost of renting a sedan, van, or truck until the vehicle is insured or replaced.
That may not be enough protection for impaired drivers. You may need to rent a car or van with special equipment such as wheelchair ramps and lifts already installed.
Mobility rental car coverage will pay for the cost of renting a modified vehicle, so you won’t be out of pocket for additional coverage.
If you want or need a car, and you have a friend or family member who can drive you around as needed, and your disability will result in higher car insurance premiums, you can exclude yourself as a driver on your own policy. Just name a friend or family member as the authorized driver of your vehicle. This should neutralize any additional premiums that your disability may cause.
Do Car Safety Features Reduce Car Accidents?
If you are disabled, it may be more difficult or impossible for you to change a flat tire on the side of the highway, connect a jumper cable, or do many other things that most of us take for granted.
If this applies to you, I recommend signing up for a reliable roadside assistance program. You can do this directly with an organization like the American Automobile Association (“Triple-A”), or as a rider on your auto insurance policy, which you can go through us.
If you have a problem on the road, they will come right out to you and help you change your tire, give you a jump, or tow your vehicle and transport you to safety.
It’s only a few dollars per month, and it’s worth it for non-disabled drivers. If you have a disability, it may be worth more to you than other people!
Best Cars That Are Easy To Get In And Out Of + Their Safety Features
Many disabled drivers and car owners have special considerations when purchasing car insurance.
When you are shopping for car insurance, it is important to use an independent agent – one who can connect you with several competing insurance carriers.
They only work with a single operator. And they can’t show you another policy if they want to.
Every car insurance company is different. Each carrier may have more or less appetite for drivers with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, vision problems, or other drivers that pose a high risk.
Best Car Insurance For The Over 50s
Not every car insurance company offers all riders and the specific protection for adaptive equipment and vehicle modifications you need.
I built this company, especially for drivers who have special needs, unusual risk factors, or who have multiple dings on their driving record. That is, I built it for drivers who are typically underserved by large insurance carriers, with captive sales forces and giant call centers of inexperienced agents.
If you are disabled, or if you fall into any special risk category, I would like to hear from you. Contact Select Insurance Group, and fill out our online quote form.
If you have adaptive equipment or customizations of any kind on your vehicle, feel free to call us directly at (855) 438-7353, and ask to speak with an agent. We are licensed everywhere except Alaska and Hawaii.
Plpd Vs Full Coverage: What Is The Difference?
Tell your agent about any vehicle modifications and special equipment you have. We’ll walk you step-by-step through your insurance coverage, and make sure you have the auto insurance coverage you need.
Insuring your custom vehicle and all the adaptive equipment you rely on can cost more. But it’s all about getting you the best coverage when it counts:
Want a needs assessment and consultation for vehicle equipment, modifications, and adaptive technology? Find a Certified Adaptive Driving Specialist.
Need to find a local dealer/installer for your adaptive equipment for your vehicle? Contact the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association.
Government Auto Insurance For Low Income Drivers (2023)
Need to update your car insurance to cover adaptive equipment and customization of your vehicle, and add mobile rental car coverage? Contact Select Insurance Group!
For Further Reading Motor Vehicle Adaptation For People With Disabilities Is Comprehensive Coverage Worth It? Save Money on Car Insurance by Taking a Driver Safety Course A Guide to Discount Car Insurance Back in 1995, apparently the last time the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) did a survey on it, they estimated there were about 665,000 vehicles. in America with some type of after-market modifications made for disabled drivers. It is probably safe to assume that the number is much higher today, given the aging population, two ongoing wars and an estimated 10,000 new spinal cord injuries each year. If you or someone you know is a disabled driver of a mobility-adapted vehicle, you face some very special auto insurance challenges.
The Americans with Disability Discrimination Act of 1990 prohibits auto insurance companies from refusing to sell auto insurance to drivers with disabilities or charging higher premiums. However, some insurers use loopholes in the law to raise rates. It seems that insurance companies can refuse coverage or bump up the premiums for heavily modified vehicles. This law, which is intended to apply to street racers, is sometimes used to discriminate against disabled drivers of mobility-adapted vehicles.
The reason is that aftermarket adaptations and conversions such as wheelchair lifts significantly add value to the vehicle. This special add-on incurs the cost of repairing or replacing a mobility-adapted vehicle in the event of an accident. If you’re buying a modified vehicle or making modifications to your existing vehicle, check with your insurance company first to make sure your auto insurance will cover it. Ideally, your policy should also reimburse you for temporary transportation accepted while your mobility-adapted vehicle is being repaired or replaced.
Get A Car Insurance Quote
If you are a disabled driver looking for competitive car insurance
