A Deep Dive into Disabled Car Insurance
It might surprise you to learn that as many as one in four Americans lives with a disability. But thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they can’t be charged more for disabled car insurance simply because of their disability.
So, what is auto insurance for disabled drivers and how much does it cost? Let’s dive into it.
What You Need to Know about Car Insurance for Disabled Drivers
Car insurance for disabled drivers is exactly the same as car insurance without a disability. There are only two reasons why it could be more expensive:
- You drive more frequently than the average driver.
- Your driving record is terrible and the right to your standard license has been revoked.
When using insurance on a specialized custom vehicle, an increased cost is usually associated with worse coverage and less drivers on the road.
Let's say that the higher cost to insure is a side effect of having a medical condition. The insurance company will treat that higher cost like a risk, because it raises their costs.
Because having a disability doesn't put you at a higher risk for an accident than anyone else, you can still get approval from your doctor to drive. For example, if you have epilepsy, the risk of losing consciousness on the road does pose more of a risk for your insurance provider, which would allow them to charge you higher premiums.
When it comes to your medical history, it's always better to be safe than sorry. If you fail to disclose such conditions with your insurance provider, there's a possibility that they could deny claims - or even worse, drop your coverage entirely!
If you drive with certain medical restrictions, a doctor's note can be used to verify these factors for your insurance provider and, in some cases, even prevent your license from being revoked.
Auto Insurance for Vehicles Adapted for Disabled Drivers
A disability doesn’t necessarily prevent you from driving, but you may need a specialized vehicle in order to do so. These vehicles are understandably more expensive to build, which in turn can cause your insurance premiums to increase versus those for a typical car. This is because these vehicles are more costly to repair or replace in the event of an accident.
You’ll want to be sure to disclose any vehicle modifications to your insurance provider to be sure they’re covered in the event of an accident. These modifications could include:
- Keyless entry and ignition
- Wheelchair ramps
- Adjustable seats
- Custom mirrors
- Siren detectors
- Hand controls
- Extensions for pedals and seat belts
- Power brakes
- And more
By disclosing these changes to your vehicle, you can ensure they'll be repaired or replaced should anything happen.
What Does Disabled Car Insurance Include?
Because car insurance for disabled drivers is exactly the same as car insurance for any other driver, it can include as much or as little coverage as you want from the standard coverage categories:
- Personal liability
- Collision
- Comprehensive
- Personal injury protection
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
Just like any other driver, you may also want to add more coverage to your policy, such as roadside assistance, medical payments, gap coverage, and more. It might also be wise to add riders for the following specialized coverage:
- Special equipment coverage: can help reimburse specialized equipment that you’ve added to your car and even other equipment apart from your vehicles, such as a wheelchair or walker.
- Mobility coverage: if your vehicle is being repaired, this can cover the cost of specialized transportation.
Note that not all insurance providers will offer these riders, so you may have to shop around.
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