Tip for Shopping for Auto Insurance with a Disability

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Each year American drivers spend thousands of dollars on auto insurance. However, the cost of that insurance should not be made higher due to a mental or physical disability. Individuals who have the medical ability to drive are protected from discriminatory price increases by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

One of the many things the ADA accomplished was making it illegal for companies to charge higher auto insurance premiums due to a disability. They can request verification from a physician that an individual can drive safely, but they are then obligated by law to offer the person the same fair rates offered to others with a similar vehicle and driving record.

Potential Problems

Some insurance companies saw the law as a challenge to be overcome and they looked for loopholes that would allow them to charge higher premiums in an effort to dissuade disabled drivers from purchasing insurance from them. This happens when laws are in place to allow insurance companies to charge higher premiums for highly modified vehicles. This law was originally intended for those cars that were modified for street racing. As racing does incur more risk for the insurer this made sense. Unfortunately, some businesses have found a way to use the modification language as a way to increase prices for disabled drivers who have had medically necessary modifications made to their vehicles.

Fortunately, this isn’t true for the majority of auto insurance agencies. But it is best to be aware that the potential does exist and the need to compare coverage and prices is even more necessary for those drivers with a disability. It is often less expensive to choose a company that works with high-risk drivers, like those who own street racing cars or who have a DUI. The high premiums paid by those types of drivers allow companies to offer cheap SR22 insurance rates to their lower risk drivers, including those with disabilities.

Choosing Appropriate Add-ons

While it is not legal for auto insurance companies to charge an individual more simply because they have a disability, it may be necessary to pay a higher premium for some of the modifications that have been made to your vehicle. This is because the standard price for an auto insurance policy covers only the value of a car. Even if the premium policy is selected that will pay for depreciation, that is still only the price of the car as it was sold from the dealer and does not include any aftermarket modifications.

These modifications can be quite expensive and additional coverage for them should be carefully considered. Some of the items that may be covered under adoption coverage include amputee rings, wheelchair lifts, pedal extenders, siren detectors for those with a hearing impairment, and floor-mounted steering. These are expensive adaptations that would need to be replaced in the event of an accident but which would not otherwise be covered by a standard policy.

Other add-ons that should be considered include mobility insurance and equipment insurance. While most policies will cover the cost of a rental car after an accident, this is only for a standard vehicle. Mobility insurance provides reimbursement for appropriate transportation to accommodate the disability, even if that means a taxi. Equipment insurance can provide coverage for specialty devices that are not covered by a standard policy such as a scooter or wheelchair.

Driving with a disability is something of an adventure for any wheelchair mom. It is important for those with disabilities to be aware of their rights so they do not end up paying higher premiums simply due to their disability. This will allow for the adventure to continue at affordable rates and with all assets fully covered.