How to Get Auto Insurance With a Disability (2024)

You might be wondering how to get auto insurance with a disability and whether it affects your rates. You can get cheap auto insurance for disabled drivers, and companies are just as likely to offer coverage to a capable driver with a disability as they are to a driver without one.

However, disabled drivers can earn auto insurance discounts if they’re veterans, first responders, or have made modifications to their vehicles. We’ll help you learn more about where to find the best car insurance for disabled drivers and get auto insurance discounts for disabled veterans.

You can also enter your ZIP code above to compare car insurance quotes for disabled drivers from various companies to find the best deal for you.

Best Auto Insurance Coverages for Disabled Drivers

We believe disabled drivers should get no less than full-coverage auto insurance to protect themselves from a worst-case accident scenario. Living without a personal vehicle in America can be difficult enough, but for the disabled, it can become exponentially more arduous.

Liability auto insurance is a minimum requirement in most of the United States, but you won’t be covered in the event of an accident or total loss if you don’t have the collision and comprehensive insurance included with full coverage. Therefore, you have no coverage under a liability-only policy for your injuries or damage to your disability-adaptable vehicle.

According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, a new vehicle with adaptive equipment can cost anywhere between $20,000 and $80,000. Because of these extra costs, you’ll need to find an insurance company that offers auto insurance for wheelchair-accessible vehicles and other disability-adapted cars and SUVs.

We also recommend investing in the following coverage options:

• Roadside assistance: Following an accident, roadside assistance will provide a tow, jump, or tire change to get you safely off the road and out of harm’s way.
• Special equipment coverage: Covers specialized mirrors or ramps for wheelchairs but also items like a walker, wheelchair, or motorized scooter that aren’t necessarily attached to your vehicle
• Mobility car insurance: Reimburses you for the cost of interim transportation if your disability-adapted vehicle was in an accident and is undergoing repairs.

There is no such thing as a disability auto insurance policy. Still, with these coverages, you’ll drive with greater peace of mind knowing you’re covered no matter what unforeseen difficulties arise on the road.

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Disability Auto Insurance Cost

Insurance companies cannot charge you more simply because you have a disability, but you might end up having higher rates if you require additional coverage. This is often due to the modifications your vehicle may need to accommodate your disability rather than the disability itself.

Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act’s protections, the cost of car insurance for people with disabilities who drive modified vehicles can come with higher rates. You might pay more for auto insurance if your vehicle has any of the following:

• Wheelchair lifts or ramps: Includes side-entry and under-vehicle lifts, which are ideal for those who are constantly traveling.
• Automobile scooter lifts: Come in various designs, including swing-arm and platform-arm styles.
• Wheelchair securing: Your wheelchair needs to remain securely in position while driving or riding.
• Modified steering, extended pedals, and hand controls: Includes automotive hand controls that make driving for people with impairments simpler and safer.
• Swivel seats: This type of seating can be utilized in a car of any size.

These are just some examples of assistive technology made for disabled drivers and their vehicles. Other modifications might include ignition switches on the dash or oversized doors to accommodate wheelchairs, so check with your insurer to confirm your policy covers the modifications in your car.

Although some companies may not offer auto insurance discounts for disabled drivers with modified vehicles, remember that some manufacturers may offer a special rebate during your purchase for assistive technologies for disabled drivers and passengers.

How Disabilities Affect Auto Insurance Rates

The only way a car insurance company can charge disabled people higher rates is when the disability poses a direct risk to driving safely. For instance, drivers with obstructed or limited vision may pay more for insurance and have restrictions on their licenses.

Most insurance underwriting decisions are based on claim history and driving record to get an accurate risk profile when choosing to insure a particular driver.

Other reasons why your auto insurance company might refuse to provide coverage includes: 

• Multiple traffic violations or claims on your record
• Lying on your auto insurance application
• Making false assertions or claims

Your level of risk may also exceed company policy maximums, especially if you drive a modified van or large SUV. That’s why comparing auto insurance quotes from companies that cover wheelchair-accessible and other types of modified vehicles is important. 

How To Get Auto Insurance Discounts for Disabled Drivers

Saving money on disability auto insurance is really as simple as asking your insurer if it offers special discounts. However, don’t be surprised if they say “no.” This is why you should seek to take advantage of other auto insurance discounts for which you may already qualify:

• Discounts based on age: Disabled seniors may be eligible for “mature driver” discounts, which result in lower rates for seniors who have finished a driving skills course
• Affiliate discounts: If you’re a member of a fraternity, sorority, or another affinity group, see if your organization has any agreements with insurance providers for discounted rates. This also applies if you belong to an association for disabled adults.
• Student discounts: Many reputable insurance companies offer auto insurance discounts for good students who maintain a B average. College students can earn discounts for living on campus without a vehicle.
• Discounts for low mileage: Your car insurance may be less expensive if you drive less than the average person. Think about switching from a standard plan to pay-per-mile auto insurance.
• Discounts for usage-based insurance (UBI): Consider enrolling in a UBI program if you have avoided tickets and accidents. Your rates are modified based on how well you drive during a monitoring period.

You can also earn discounts if you are a disabled veteran or active military member. Ask your current insurer about disabled veteran auto insurance discounts or shop around with companies that cater to military personnel and their families.

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How Disabled Veterans Qualify for Auto Insurance Discounts

Due to their service, military personnel frequently qualify for lower insurance rates, including disabled veterans. The issue is that not all auto insurance companies offer discounts to veterans and active military personnel. 

Here are some crucial pointers to remember as you look for the best deals:

• Gather car insurance quotes for disabled drivers from the best auto insurance companies.
• Ask insurance agents if you qualify for discounts based on your driving history, where you live, and other considerations.
• When looking for auto insurance as a disabled veteran, prepare the necessary identification documents for inspection.

As drivers age, their auto insurance rates decrease, especially for those with clean driving records. Insurance companies consider older drivers less likely to cause accidents, and this same logic is applied to veterans who need affordable auto insurance.

The insurance company may ask you to prove your status as an honorably discharged or medically discharged veteran. This could entail showing your DD-214 separation documents or getting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue an official statement with your name and service-connected disability rating.

Auto Insurance Companies Offering Discounts to Disabled Veterans

While USAA and Geico auto insurance have traditionally been some of the most economical for disabled veterans, it’s always best to compare no less than five companies at a time before making any final decisions.

USAA is one excellent option for veterans 🪖and their families, but many other national companies are worth comparing. https://t.co/27f1xf1ARb has compiled a guide 📑to help veterans find the best auto🚘 insurance. Check it out here👉: https://t.co/tiseEVnfEj pic.twitter.com/dVkDa3OKPl

— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) September 1, 2023

It’s also important to remember that if you are a disabled veteran, you might save just as much money through bundling all your insurance needs or qualifying for other discounts like a safe driver or low-mileage auto insurance discount.

Understanding Whether Auto Insurance Companies Can Forbid Disabled People From Driving

An insurance company cannot forbid you from operating a vehicle — that is the DMV’s job. An insurance company can, however, deny you coverage based on your driving record and claims history.

Even with the ADA, discrimination against some drivers is unavoidable. Follow the steps below to file a complaint:

• ADA complaint form. Contact the Federal Coordination and Compliance Section and submit a completed Civil Rights Division Complaint Form if you believe you have been the victim of discrimination. 
• Get legal counsel. Talk to a lawyer about your options moving forward. You can get in touch with groups like the Disability Rights Legal Center, which offers free legal aid to disabled people who are victims of discrimination.
• Send a grievance to the insurance commissioner in your state. On the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website, find the local Insurance Commissioner for your state and lodge a complaint. Normally, you must include your policy number and the details of your claim. 
• Contact the insurance company’s headquarters. Consider reporting discrimination to the corporate office if you have issues with a specific insurance company or agent.

It is critical to recognize and report discrimination if you believe an insurance company is denying you coverage based on your disability. 

More About How to Get Auto Insurance With a Disability

Most of the time, people drive without the DMV or insurance company knowing of their disability. That’s because their disability may not impact their ability to be safe drivers. Exceptions might be vision or cognitive impairment, which would cause a driver to have to seek medical validation to obtain a license.

Even if you need medical validation to receive a driver’s license, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits insurance companies nationwide from charging disabled drivers and passengers higher premiums solely based on their disability.

There is no such thing as a disability auto insurance policy or free car insurance for disabled motorists, but if you go through a company like USAA auto insurance, you may get cheap coverage for disabled veterans as their policy prices are already the lowest for active-duty military and veterans in general. 

If you aren’t a member of the military, you can still earn auto insurance discounts for disabled drivers by taking safe-driving courses and remaining accident and claim-free. Doing your due diligence and comparing free auto insurance quotes online will also help you get the most affordable car insurance rates.

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