There’s no doubt that ableist attitudes prevail, so while getting car insurance for disabled drivers is not as cost-prohibitive as it used to be, the fact remains that disabled people may end up paying more for their car insurance premiums.
But we can help you lower your rates—just keep reading.
We’re going to share what you need to know about getting disability car insurance, including auto insurance discounts for disabled individuals, common coverage questions, and how to go about getting this crucial coverage.
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Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it’s illegal for insurance providers to charge inflated rates for drivers who have disabilities. After all, having a disability (be it mental or physical) does not automatically make you a higher-risk driver.
This said, there are some conditions that are considered driving impairments and may result in your being saddled with heftier premiums—specifically, if your condition makes you a riskier driver or if you require costly vehicle enhancements that are more expensive to replace.
Some disabilities that may make you more costly to insure include (but are not limited to):
If you have a serious condition, talk to your doctor to assess whether your disability will impact your ability to drive.
There are some medical conditions that require you to be medically approved before you can be legally allowed to drive. While getting this approval may seem like another unnecessary hoop to jump through, remember: it’s not only about business with the insurance company, it’s about protecting you and other people on the road.
Really, it’s not, namely because there is no such thing as auto insurance for disabled drivers. The car insurance for disabled persons is the same car insurance anyone can get, but—as mentioned—the premiums may be higher if your vehicle is more expensive to insure due to special adjustments and modifications or if your disability makes you riskier on the roads.
If it poses a significant enough risk, you may not be permitted to drive, period.
As a disabled individual, your coverage will really start to differ when it comes to add-ons. For example, if you have custom equipment or a specialized vehicle, you should look into mobility car insurance coverage, which is additional coverage you can add to your plan for cushier protection.
Given that it’s illegal to charge someone more car insurance on the basis of their disability, car insurance for disabled drivers is exactly the same as standard car insurance. There are only two reasons why it could be more expensive:
Having a disability doesn’t put you at a higher risk for an accident than anyone else unless you have a specific medical condition that does put you and other drivers at risk. An example of this is epilepsy; you can still likely get approval from your doctor to drive, but the risk of losing consciousness on the road does pose a higher risk for your insurance provider, which would allow them to charge you higher premiums.
It’s important to disclose such medical conditions to your insurance provider, or you could risk having your claims denied and a loss of coverage should the insurance provider find out down the line.
If your doctor approves you to drive, even with certain constraints, this medical approval will appear on your driver’s license and it can be grounds for your insurance provider to charge you higher rates.
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First things first: Get a quote for disabled car insurance. The easiest way to go about this is to get a quote from a carrier who specializes in providing affordable coverage for disabled drivers.
How do you find these carriers?
Just request a quote from us. We’ve been in the insurance business for decades and we know the best providers of auto insurance for disabled individuals. Fill in your information and we’ll match you with your ideal provider.
Simple as that.
You know what they say: honesty is the best policy. Be upfront with your insurer about your disabilities and medical conditions. Also, let them know what special equipment or modifications you have or will be putting on your vehicle.
Some of these disability-adapted modifications could include:
Failure to disclose accurate information about your disability and/or vehicle could result in your coverage being denied and you being dropped from your policy.
This said, your car insurance company cannot deny you the right to drive because of your disability: that is something your DMV determines.
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Free Car Insurance Comparison - Save up to 30%
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.
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Even if your premiums are increased slightly as a result of your disability, there are still a few ways you can save on your car insurance.
Exclude yourself. If you’re not driving the vehicle, but are only a passenger, then you don’t need to be insured as a driver. Instead, name another driver. This person will be insured and, if they do not need medical clearance to drive, will likely get lower rates.
Take advantage of discounts. There are many discounts available to all drivers, including safe driving record discounts, driving course discounts, low mileage discounts, discounts for when you bundle your policies (e.g. home and auto), senior driver discounts, and loyalty discounts.
Talk to your insurance company to see what might be available to you, but here are some easy ways to score discounts.
To find the best car insurance for disabled veterans in your state, request a free quote from us. We’ll match you with the ideal carrier for your needs from our roster of top companies—no exhaustive comparison quotes required.
You shouldn’t necessarily expect to pay more for disabled car insurance. In fact, it’s illegal for you to be charged more just because of your disability. But if you have a customized vehicle for your disability or a condition that puts you and other drivers at risk, you could pay much higher premiums.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t find savings to help lower your overall costs. Always be sure to get multiple quotes and do your research to ensure you’re finding the best deal out there.
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No, but there are add-ons you, as a disabled individual, should consider to give you the coverage you need.
Not legally, no. You are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and cannot be charged more just because you have a disability. If your disability makes you a higher risk driver, however, or if your vehicle is outfitted with expensive adaptive equipment, then your premiums may increase.
Lauren Lewthwaite Lauren Lewthwaite has been freelance writing for almost five years writing content that ranges from health to insurance and everything in between. Lauren is also a trained translator in French and English and is a dog-mom to an adorable Australian Shepherd.
