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If you’re a disabled driver, generic car cover might not be the right fit for you. Instead, a specialist disability car insurance policy can provide the protection you need, especially if you drive a modified or adapted vehicle.
In this guide, you can find out what car insurance for disabled drivers includes, how you can join the Motability Scheme and whether a Blue Badge gives you a discount on your premiums.
As a disabled driver, you’ll need to make sure your car insurance covers the specifics of the vehicle you drive. That means finding a policy that doesn’t break the bank but also caters to any specialist cars or modifications your car may have, such as:
On top of this, you may want additional cover for any equipment you regularly carry in your car. This means you might need to find a specialist car insurance policy for disabled drivers that’s tailored to your requirements, rather than generic cover.
When purchasing specialist disability car insurance, you’ll choose from the same levels of cover as you would with a generic policy:
Depending on what level of cover you choose to take out and the optional extras you add on, your disability car insurance may include:
The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal for a car insurance provider to refuse you cover due to your disability or charge you higher premiums as a blanket rule. However, a provider may be able to increase your premium if your disability statistically makes it more likely that you’ll claim.
Another significant factor that can make car insurance more expensive for a disabled driver is the number of modifications made to your vehicle. This is because the more modifications your vehicle has, the more it’ll cost to repair following an accident. It’s also more likely that a modified vehicle will fall into a higher car insurance group, which is another factor that contributes to the cost of your premium.
However, as a disabled driver with a modified vehicle, you may only need a low-mileage policy, which could bring down the price.
Other factors that’ll determine how much your car insurance costs include where you live, where you park your car overnight, what your chosen excess is and whether the policy includes a no-claims bonus.
You can apply for vehicle tax exemption if you have a vehicle registered in your name (as the disabled driver) or the name of your nominated driver and you receive any of the following:
However, you can only get vehicle tax exemption on one vehicle at a time.
If you receive the PIP or ADP standard rate mobility component, you’re only eligible for a 50 per cent reduction in vehicle tax.
You’ll need to inform the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if you develop a “notifiable” medical condition or disability, or if your existing medical condition or disability has gotten worse since you first received your licence. Example conditions include:
You can check if you need to inform the DVLA of your disability by using the government’s A to Z list.
If you fail to inform the DVLA of a medical condition or disability that affects your driving, you can be fined up to £1,000.
The Motability Scheme allows disabled drivers to receive financial aid to lease a brand-new car, WAV, scooter, or powered wheelchair.
You can choose from electric cars, large hatchbacks, SUVs and more, with a range of adaptations and modifications available to tailor the vehicle to your needs.
The Motability Scheme offers two lease periods, with associated mile limits of:
You’ll be charged 5p for every mile you drive over your limit.
If you lease a vehicle through the Motability Scheme, you won’t need to take out a separate car insurance policy, as it comes included as standard.
The scheme also covers servicing and MOTs, roadside assistance with the RAC and, if using an electric car, the cost of arranging a home charge point.
To be eligible for the Motability Scheme, you’ll need to receive one of the following, with at least 12 months left on your allowance:
If you lease a car through Motability, your car insurance will include:
However, your Motability car insurance won’t include:
To join the Motability Scheme, you’ll need to:
Blue Badges help people with disabilities or medical conditions park closer to their destination. For example, a supermarket car park may have designated parking bays for drivers with Blue Badges.
A Blue Badge is usually valid for up to three years, and how much you pay for it depends on where you live. The prices are as follows:
Certain people are automatically entitled to a Blue Badge. These include people who receive the higher rate mobility component of the DLA, people who receive PIP because they can’t walk more than 50 metres and people who are registered as blind.
In situations where you’re not automatically entitled to a Blue Badge, your local council will decide whether you’re eligible. Such situations include being unable to walk at all, having a child under the age of three who always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment, and driving regularly but being unable to operate pay-and-display parking machines because of a severe disability in both arms.
You can find out more about who is eligible for a Blue Badge by reading the government’s guide.
It may be possible to receive a discount on your car insurance if you have a Blue Badge. However, a discount isn’t guaranteed.
If you have a Blue Badge or are thinking about getting one before renewing your insurance, it’s worth checking with providers when you compare car insurance to see which ones do and don’t offer a discount for Blue Badges.
To apply for a Blue Badge in England, Scotland or Wales, you can use the gov.uk online application service. If you live in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to apply through NI Direct.
When applying, you’ll normally need:
If you own a car but are unable to drive it due to a disability, you can take out an any driver car insurance policy, which allows anyone to use your vehicle. Alternatively, you could add a named driver to your existing car insurance policy.
If you don’t intend to drive your car or let anyone else use it in the foreseeable future, you could apply for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). This means your car will be registered as “off the road”, so you won’t need to have car insurance or pay vehicle tax.
If you have a number of different carers and you want them all to be able to drive your car, you can take out any driver car insurance.
However, if you only have one or two main carers, you could instead add them as named drivers to your existing car insurance policy.
In either case, it’s best to first contact your insurance provider to check their rules and requirements.
It’s possible to add a younger driver to your policy as a named driver. Be aware, however, that adding a young driver can push up your premium.
