Do medical conditions affect car insurance?

Key takeaways

• You must tell DVLA about any medical condition or disability that could affect your ability to drive safely

• You should tell your insurer about medical conditions when they ask, especially if they have been reported to DVLA

• A medical condition does not automatically make car insurance more expensive, but it can affect your cover if it changes your driving risk

Do I need to tell DVLA about a medical condition?

Yes, you must tell DVLA if you develop a notifiable medical condition or an existing condition gets worse. A notifiable condition is any medical condition or disability that could affect your ability to drive safely.

This can include conditions that affect your eyesight, concentration, movement, alertness or risk of losing consciousness. You can check whether your condition needs to be reported using GOV.UK’s medical condition checker.

Do I need to tell my car insurer about a medical condition?

Yes, you should tell your insurer about medical conditions when they ask. Many insurers ask whether you have any medical conditions that have been reported to DVLA or that affect your ability to drive safely, and you must answer honestly when getting a quote or updating a policy.

If you do not tell your insurer something they asked for, your policy could be cancelled or a future claim could be refused.

What medical conditions should I report to the DVLA?

You need to report medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely - this can include:

• Heart conditions

• Strokes (or mini strokes)

• Diabetes

• Visual impairment (such as glaucoma)

• Epilepsy

• A severe head injury

• A brain condition (such as dementia)

• A physical disability

• Sleep apnoea

• Syncope (fainting)

This isn't a full list, so if you aren't sure whether your condition needs to be reported, check GOV.UK's online service or ask your doctor. You have to notify the DVLA about these conditions so your ability to drive can be assessed, and depending on your condition, you may be required to take certain precautions such as always wearing glasses while driving. Alternatively, you may be told it’s no longer safe for you to drive.

You must also stop driving if your doctor tells you to - and in some circumstances you might be required to surrender your licence if you’re told to stop for three months or more. You can then apply to get it back if and when you’re able to drive.

What happens when I tell the DVLA about a medical condition?

The DVLA will assess whether you can keep driving safely. Depending on your condition, DVLA may contact your doctor or consultant, arrange a medical examination, ask you to take an eyesight test or ask you to complete a driving assessment. They may decide that:

• You can keep your full licence

• You need a shorter licence, such as one, two, three or five years

• You need to adapt your vehicle

• You must stop driving

How do medical restrictions on my licence affect car insurance premiums?

Medical restrictions can affect the price you pay for car insurance, although the impact varies between insurers. MoneySuperMarket data for drivers aged 30-39 shows that motorists with a full UK licence paid an average premium of £305.20^{^}

For drivers in the same age group with a medically restricted licence held for less than three years paid £266.91^{^} on average. This means drivers aged 30-39 with a restricted licence less than three years paid around £16.22 more.

Insurers look at a range of factors when calculating premiums, including your driving history, claims record, vehicle and postcode. Having a medically restricted licence does not automatically mean you will pay significantly more, but it can affect how insurers assess risk.

How long do DVLA medical enquiries take?

A DVLA medical enquiry usually takes about six weeks, but if your case is going to take longer than that, you should receive a letter from the DVLA explaining why.

Do I need to tell the DVLA if I’m on medication?

You may need to tell the DVLA if you start taking certain long-term medications - for example, you'll need to inform them if you’re prescribed insulin treatment lasting more than three months. But you don’t need to inform the DVLA about a short course of medication, even if that medication could impair your ability to drive.

Bear in mind that it’s illegal to drive in the UK on certain prescription drugs, including morphine, diazepam, methadone, and other medicines that make you unfit to drive. It's important to follow the advice of the doctor who prescribes them, or you could face a year’s driving ban, an unlimited fine, or up to six months in prison.

What happens if I do not report a medical condition?

You could be fined, prosecuted or have problems with your car insurance if you don't report a medical condition to your insurer and the DVLA. GOV.UK says you could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely, while you could also be prosecuted if you have an accident.

Your insurer could also cancel your policy or refuse a claim if you gave incorrect or incomplete information when asked about your health or driving licence.

Will I pay more for car insurance if I have medical conditions?

No, in general, you won’t pay more for car insurance due to a medical condition. Under the Equalities Act 2010, insurers are not allowed to refuse cover, raise premiums or increase an excess based on a driver’s medical condition if it was declared when the DVLA issued their licence.

However, exceptions can apply if there is evidence of an increased risk – for example, if the condition changes over time. Insurers are allowed to request evidence and information regarding your health condition, and they can increase premiums if they think you present a higher risk.

In some cases, driving an adapted vehicle could result in increased insurance premiums as these vehicles might cost more to repair.

Can an insurer refuse to cover me because of a medical condition?

An insurer may refuse cover if it has evidence that your condition affects risk, however insurers should not make decisions based on a medical condition alone. They may ask for more information, such as your licence details, DVLA decision or medical evidence, before offering cover or setting a price.

If you struggle to find cover, compare quotes from different providers. You may also want to look for insurers that cover drivers with medical conditions or adapted vehicles.

Do I need to surrender my licence because of a medical condition?

You may need to surrender your licence if your condition means you cannot drive safely. You must surrender your licence if your doctor tells you to stop driving for three months or more, your condition affects safe driving for three months or more, or you do not meet the required medical standards for driving.

You can apply to get your licence back when you meet the medical standards again.

Can I drive while waiting for the results of a DVLA medical enquiry?

You may be able to keep driving while DVLA assesses your condition, but only if you are safe and legally allowed to do so. Follow any advice from your doctor, consultant or DVLA, and don't drive if a medical professional has told you to stop, or if your symptoms make driving unsafe.

If you are waiting for a medical licence decision, check the DVLA guidance carefully. The rules can depend on your condition, licence status and whether your previous licence has expired, been refused or been revoked.

Can I drive if I have a hearing impairment?

Yes, you can if you have a hearing impairment. Currently there are no restrictions for driving with a hearing impairment. If you have a hearing issue you are not required to tell or be assessed by your insurer and DVLA.

The main exception to this is if you drive for a living – for example, if you are a lorry driver. Commercial drivers who have a hearing loss of more than 40 decibels have to undergo regular check-ups.

Can I drive after having surgery?

You should not drive after surgery until you are safe, comfortable and medically fit to do so. The right time to start driving again depends on the operation, anaesthetic, medication and how well you recover - you should be able to control the car, react quickly and make an emergency stop without pain or hesitation.

Ask your doctor or surgeon before driving. You should also check your insurance policy in case it has rules about driving after surgery.

Can I get car insurance for an adapted car?

Yes, you can get car insurance for an adapted car, but you must tell your insurer about the adaptations. These can include hand controls, steering aids, pedal changes, wheelchair access, ramps or other changes that help you drive safely.

Modifications may affect the cost of repairs or the type of courtesy car you need after a claim - make sure your insurer knows about all adaptations, even if they were fitted for medical or accessibility reasons.

How can I find car insurance that covers medical conditions?

Car insurance can cost more if you have certain medical conditions that mean you become a higher risk. So it’s important to shop around for the best deal. Find cheap car cover for people with medical conditions by comparing car insurance policies with MoneySuperMarket.

Finding the perfect car insurance that covers medical conditions

Find cheap car cover for people with medical conditions by comparing car insurance policies with MoneySuperMarket. Just tell us a bit about you and your medical history, and we’ll scour our market to find the right policy for you. You can also get in touch for more information on what medical conditions have to be declared for car insurance.