Car insurance for disabled drivers

Do disabilities affect car insurance rates?

A disability will not affect your car insurance rate. Your rates will be based on factors such as your driving record, vehicle, location, coverage, and claims history. If your vehicle has adaptive equipment, the added value and repair cost can affect your rates.

Bill Fertig, director of the Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center, said that insurance companies can’t directly discriminate based on your physical abilities.

"You can have some agent make a personal judgment and never say anything and you'd never know it, but you cannot have any discrimination from insurers based on people having a disability of any kind, so I don't consider that a problem," he says. "But it's very important to be upfront with your insurance agent about what exactly you have and how much your cost was," he says.

However, some factors related to a disability can affect your rates, including vehicle modifications and medical equipment on board.

An example: If you drive a generic car and just modify it by adding simple hand controls. The controls could cost $1,000 and your car might be valued at $4,000. If something happened, such as a crash, you would want to be compensated for not only the car’s value but also the tool’s value. In this example, the hand controls.

"The way they do that is they apply a rider -- just an additional little insurance product to your account to cover your hand controls,” Fertig says.

You wouldn’t want to have to replace the hand controls out of your own pocket. However, $1,000 to do that would be nothing compared to someone who has a modified van with sophisticated controls, such as a Scott Driving System. Those go for $100,000 and up.

So if you add those to a $30,000 minivan, and get into a crash, you don't want to just get the minivan replaced for $30,000; you want to get the entire vehicle replaced for $130,000. It's another case of being upfront about what you're insuring and how much it costs to replace.

Does car insurance cover medical equipment in your vehicle?

Car insurance covers adaptive equipment that is permanently attached to your vehicle if it is listed on your policy. Loose medical equipment, such as a wheelchair stored in the vehicle, is not covered by auto insurance, but will be covered by your home insurance. Ask your insurer how each item is protected.

“However, just as in the case of a vehicle that has been modified with after-market wheelchair accessibility equipment, it's much better to have a pointed discussion with your auto insurance agent at the time of initiation of the policy about the additions, possible ramifications of the chair damage and cost, etc. Then, a rider can be written to accommodate that exact need and the policy language can be agreed to up front. This will allow for a much quicker and more seamless coverage and repair process in the event of an accident,” Fertig says.

It's important to note that personal property that is not attached to the vehicle is covered by home, not auto insurance.

Can insurers force a disabled driver to switch to modified controls? The quick answer is no. According to Fertig, only your state department of motor vehicles can do that.

Another possible area for discrimination against disabled drivers could lie with rate increases. But Fertig says that this practice is illegal.

"Disability-related insurance rate increases are clearly discriminatory. If you have an accident, or two, and you have your rates raised due to your driving record, you may have your rates raised. I would argue that any attempt to raise one's auto insurance rates based solely upon the fact that the driver has a disability should and would be met with an immediate civil lawsuit," says Fertig.

What counts as an adaptive vehicle modification?

Adaptive equipment includes any device or change that helps you drive, enter, exit, or ride safely in the vehicle. These upgrades can add thousands of dollars to the car’s value, so they should be listed on your policy.

Use this table to see which modifications require additional coverage and why.

Modification	Why it matters for insurance
Hand controls	Adds equipment value and would require special repair
Wheelchair ramp	Increases replacement cost
Wheelchair lift	Expensive to repair or replace
Transfer seat	Needs custom equipment coverage
Pedal extenders	Can need replacement after a claim.
Steering knob or spinner knob	May be treated as adaptive equipment
Lowered floor conversion	Can significantly increase vehicle value
Specialized driving system	Greatly increases replacement cost
Wheelchair tie-down system	Needs attached equipment coverage

Always inform your insurer about any adaptive modifications to ensure proper coverage.

What type of auto insurance coverage do disabled drivers need?

Drivers with disabilities need the same core coverages as other drivers: liability coverage and any other coverage required by state law, plus comprehensive and collision coverageCollision coverage helps pay for repairs or replacement of your car if it's damaged in an accident, regardless of who is at fault and is subject to a deductible. to cover damage to the car. If your vehicle is modified, you also need added coverage for adaptive equipment and higher repair or replacement costs.

Fertig says a new high-priced vehicle needs collision coverage in addition to liability coverage.

"With a new vehicle, especially something with a base value of $30,000, then $20,000 more in vehicle adaptations, yes, you must insure against the loss of the $50,000 by purchasing collision,” Fertig says.

If you have a loan on your vehicle, you will likely be required to carry a full-coverage policy and, of course, meet all state insurance requirements. It's wise to carry higher liability limits, however, as state minimums are rarely adequate.

Find out more about other types of insurance and disabilities:

FAQ: Car insurance for disabled drivers

Will auto insurance pay for hand controls?

No, Auto insurance will not cover the cost of installing hand controls. However, you might be able to get assistance through medical insurance, disability programs, or grants for adaptive equipment. Check with your insurer and local resources for options.

Does auto insurance cover a wheelchair in the car?

A wheelchair that is not attached to the vehicle is not covered by auto insurance. It falls under homeowners, renters, health insurance, or specialty equipment coverage. Ask your insurer how loose medical equipment is covered before a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing. happens.

What should I tell my insurer about my modified vehicle?

Tell your insurer about every modification, including hand controls, ramps, lifts, transfer seats, lowered floors, tie-down systems, and specialized driving controls. Provide receipts, photos, and installation records so the insurer can document the equipment's value.