Disabled Drivers Car Insurance

dsb66

Hi guys
I was speaking to a friend today and found out that car insurance for the disabled is a real issue. Can anyone advise me if there is a specialist comparison site that will give fare quotes for a disabled driver?

I think in todays modern world its a joke that sites like Confused. com / Insurancesupermarket.com / Uswitch.com Etc can't quote a disabled driver. What happened with the act that gives equal rights to disabled people?

Now i am on my soap box about it and think it should be something i follow up and get involved with. So any help will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance

raskazz

Since the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 almost all car insurers do not refuse to quote or load premiums for those with illnesses or disabilities.

Most - if not all - insurers will simply require that you have notified the DVLA of any notifiable condition, and that the DVLA have agreed to you holding your licence. Most will also not load the premium for any adaptations to the vehicle that have been made solely to enable you to drive it.

On confused.com there is a drop-down menu where you can select N/A, DVLA aware with no restrictions etc.

SomeBozo

I think in todays modern world its a joke that sites like Confused. com / Insurancesupermarket.com / Uswitch.com Etc can't quote a disabled driver. What happened with the act that gives equal rights to disabled people?

Hang on and back up.

It has nothing to do with "equal rights".

Comparison sites like Uswitch.com make a set of assumptions, one of these assumption is that you are not disabled. It also assumes you are not banned from driving, your car is not modified etc etc.

Being disabled is a specific issue that needs a conversation with the inusrance company.

Two people can have the same disability but the effects of the diasability on the individual can be very different, hence its not fair to penalise disabled with the same increase in premuim because one could be milder than another.

Some Bozo

lisyloo

I have disabled parents and as far as I am aware there is no discrimination.

What is the exact problem you friend has experienced?
What kind of disability do they have?

raskazz

I just ran an example quote on confused.com (stating that I had a medical condition, that the DVLA was aware, and had placed no restrictions on my licence) and only 4 of the 54 insurers that came up declined to quote online due to medical conditions. So I'm really not sure it is a real issue TBH.

lisyloo

I don't think it's a real issue either.

You are either fit to drive or you aren't.
If the DVLA allow you to drive then you are fit to drive.

soolin

If we are talking about discrimination then being a young male is even worse. Trying to get a quote for an 18 year old male driver in Greater London who has never had insurance before and see how many insurers decline to quote. Same companies however are happy to quote if that 18 year old driver is female.

AS others have said looking for insurance online is great if you are a standard person in a standard job with a standard car, add in an odd job (mine doesn't appear on any web site), or a non standard car or even a disibility declared to the DVLA and the automated system can't manage. However if you phone the companies direct they are often much better at dealing with non standard quotes, so give it a try.

pborojon

lisyloo wrote: »

I don't think it's a real issue either.

You are either fit to drive or you aren't.
If the DVLA allow you to drive then you are fit to drive.

I am aware of certain companies declining certain disabilities as they claim to have the stats to back up their claim that they are bad drivers.

I think the issue here is that some disabilities are more complex than others and can cause certain problems i.e. severely modified vehicles etc tho I agree most of the market have no issue with this.

lisyloo

If we are talking about discrimination then being a young male is even worse.

You are completly right.
But this is totally justifiable discrimiation (sorry).
Young males (in general) have far more accidents than other categories so it's understandable and justifiable that they are charged more.
I know that's not nice if you are an exception to the rule but in general it's true and business need some rules to work by.

Discrimination is good in some circumstances.
E.g. Someone who studies a long time and becomes a surgeon SHOULD be paid more than someone who doesn't work as hard and works as a nurse.
People SHOULD be discriminated against when it's right and fair e.g. they work harder.

I agree with the last poster that there is no general issue here but there may be some problems in extreme cases.
Again it could be that in some cases the disability does affect safety in which case the discrimination is fair and justified.

dsb66

lisyloo wrote: »

I have disabled parents and as far as I am aware there is no discrimination.

What is the exact problem you friend has experienced?
What kind of disability do they have?

MY friend is paralysed from the chest down and DVLA are aware. They stipulate hand controls to be used and can only drive automatic vehicles no tractors , no trailers

I understand all the comments left. It just that i wanted to know if it was all true and if so where my friend could get insurance at reasonable rate.

I am sorry if i upset anyone with my ranting!

Thank you for your responses.

dsb66

Thank you for your input and sorry. I should have mentioned my friends disability fully.
Apparently all the things mentioned by you guys are true its just that specific details of the disability are always asked for after the DVLA aware part. My friend had lost faith in the systems when time after time the quotes would not confirm and the message please call to talk through your details. When all people with similar severe Disabilities just want to be treated like the rest of us.
Thanks again. I am off my high horse now LOL