What is disabled driver car insurance?
Disabled driver car insurance is designed to cover you and your car if you need certain extra protection as a result of your disability.
What car insurance do I need if I’m a disabled driver?
If you’re a disabled driver you might require certain additional cover that other motorists don’t need, perhaps for modifications made to your car to improve accessibility. This could include:
- A specialised steering wheel
- Wheelchair clamps
- Wheelchair ramps
- Wheelchair lifts
- Altered pedals
How do I get a blue disabled driver badge?
Depending on your disability status, you may be eligible for the blue badge scheme, which lets people who have mobility problems park closer to shops and public facilities. You can apply, renew and check whether you qualify for a blue badge on the gov.uk website.
What’s covered by car insurance for disabled drivers?
The main aspect of car insurance designed specifically for disabled drivers relates to the accessories and modifications explained above. However, the overall cover you’ll get will depend on the level of car insurance you take out and the number of extra policies you add.
What levels of car insurance can disabled drivers take out?
Disabled drivers will be able to choose from the same options as everyone when it comes to level of cover:
- Third-party: Third-party car insurance is the minimum legal requirement for car owners, and it offers protection if you injure someone or damage their property or vehicle. It doesn’t cover you for damage done to your own car
- Third-party, fire and theft: Third-party, fire and theft insurance adds protection for your own vehicle if it’s stolen, vandalised or damaged by fire
- Fully comprehensive: Fully comprehensive insurance covers everything mentioned above, but it also adds protection for any other damage done to your car – as long as it’s outlined in your policy. It’s also almost always the cheapest option
Which extras can disabled drivers add to their car insurance?
Aside from accessibility modifications, disabled drivers can also add cover for the following:
- Legal costs: Legal cover protects you against any legal fees you might face as a result of a car insurance claim
- Breakdown: Breakdown cover insures you for the cost of roadside assistance you might need if your car breaks down during a journey
- Courtesy car: Often linked to breakdown cover, a courtesy car policy gives you access to a replacement vehicle while yours is being repaired. Keep in mind that this may not have the accessories you require because of your disability – it’s always worth checking with your insurer to be sure
- Driving abroad: You’ll be able to add protection for your car if you’re taking it abroad. However if you’re travelling to the EU post-Brexit in the event of a no-deal outcome, you might require a green card to be allowed to drive
- Personal accident: A personal accident policy pays out if you become injured or die as a result of a road accident – but the sum will depend on the nature of the injuries
- Lost keys: Lost key cover means you’ll be able to claim for the cost of replacing your car keys if you lose them
- Wrong fuel: Wrong fuel policies pay out for repair costs if you top up your car with the incorrect type of fuel, which can ruin an engine
- Other accessories: Cars come with a variety of other insurable accessories, including sat-navs or extra lights
- Other modifications: You can also cover other modifications your car might have, such as body parts, paintwork or engine upgrades
How much does car insurance cost for disabled drivers?
Insurance providers are no longer allowed to discriminate between people based on disabilities, thanks to the Disability Discrimination Act of 2005. This means insurers won’t be able to refuse cover or charge higher premiums for people with disabilities.
How can I lower the price of car insurance?
While premiums won’t be affected by your status as disabled, there are still other ways to pay less for car insurance:
- Choose comprehensive cover: In recent years fully comprehensive car insurance has become the cheapest available policy even though it offers the most cover
- Pick a sensible car: While you have to factor in whether the car can support your disability’s requirements, remember that smaller and less powerful cars are generally safer to drive. As a result they’re also cheaper to insure
- Pay more excess: Volunteering a higher excess fee tells insurers you’re less likely to claim, so they’ll reward you with lower premiums
- Keep your car safe and secure: Storing your car in a locked garage generally brings your premiums down more than parking it in a driveway or on the street, as does having factory-fitted alarms and an immobiliser installed
- Drive less: The less time you spend on the road the lower your chances are of being involved in a road accident – and claiming on your car insurance policy. Reduced risk means lower premiums
- Consider telematics: Telematics cover is when your insurer collects data about your driving through either a black box, a plug-and-drive device or an app on your phone, and uses it to set your premiums. Proving that you can drive responsibly generally leads to cheaper car insurance
- Pay-per-mile: Pay-per-mile car insurance means you pay for cover by the mile – so the less you drive the less your policy will cost
What is Motability?
The Motability scheme lets people use their government mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair.
You’ll be able to lease a new car or wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) for at least three years, with a variety of accessories and adaptations available. You can also get a new scooter or powered wheelchair every three years.
Am I eligible for the Motability scheme?
You’ll be eligible for a Motability vehicle if you get:
- War pensioners’ mobility supplement
- The higher rate of the disability living allowance mobility component
- The enhanced rate of the personal independence payment mobility component
What car insurance do I need with Motability?
When you lease a vehicle through Motability, it comes with its own insurance policy included.
What does Motability insurance cover?
A Motability insurance policy offers cover for the following:
- Vehicle loss
- Vehicle damage
- Accidental damage
- Fire and theft damage
- Glass repair or replacement
- Permanently fitted in-car equipment such as a sound system
- Any required and agreed-upon modifications
- Any supplied vehicle accessories
- Replacement for stolen keys (but cover for lost keys is excluded)
- Charitable work (as long as you don’t get a regular fixed payment)
- Commuting
- Personal accidents up to £5,000 per person
- Driving abroad
- A replacement vehicle if yours is lost or damaged, or loss-of-use benefit if no suitable vehicle is available
However, Motability insurance won’t cover you for:
- Personal belongings
- Non-essential accessories or modifications
- Interior damage such as rips, burns or stains
- Driving other cars unless they’ve been provided or approved by the insurer
- Other people driving your car
- Business use other than commuting
Compare cheap car insurance quotes
If you’ve got modifications on your car that help with accessibility, you can get cheaper car insurance that covers your additions by comparing quotes on MoneySuperMarket. Just tell us about yourself, your driving history and the car you want to insure – including any accessories you have for mobility reasons – and we’ll put together a list of quotes tailored to your requirements.
You’ll be able to compare quotes by the overall monthly and annual cost, the cover you’ll get and the excess you’ll need to pay to claim. Once you’ve found the deal you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.
As with all types of insurance you should be careful about choosing the cheapest deal available. We recommend aiming for a balance between cost and cover to ensure you have the protection you need at the best possible price.