How To Get Auto Insurance With Epilepsy (2024)
Finding auto insurance for epileptics should not be an issue and having epilepsy should not affect your auto insurance rates. You are not required to inform your insurer about your condition. You need only notify the DMV.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 13, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 13, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Epileptic drivers can be allowed to drive on U.S. roads depending on the frequency of their seizures and the laws of their home state
- States have varying driving laws for drivers with epilepsy
- If an epileptic driver causes an accident due to medical problems or a seizure behind the wheel and the other driver decides to press charges, the presiding judge is allowed to be as tough or as lenient as he/she sees fit
- Car insurance companies are prohibited from increasing rates on auto insurance for epileptics or other drivers with medical conditions or disabilities under the Equality Act 2010
- Patients who properly manage their epilepsy pose no additional driving risk than other drivers
Auto insurance quotes are based on individual circumstances except for disability and medical conditions. Insurers are not allowed to hike your rates because you suffer from a condition, meaning epilepsy car insurance coverage cannot be higher than traditional rates.
However, they may ask you to present specific documents such as the following:
- DMV confirmation letter stating that you are allowed to drive
- Your driver’s license
- Any other form of written info to back your application and prove that you are not on probation
To get the best auto insurance quote, contact several companies and compare the quotes you get side by side. Use our free comparison tool to explore epilepsy auto insurance quotes from multiple companies today!
You can ask the companies about their no-claim bonus policies. There are no specific rules on whether your auto insurance provider will hold over earned no claim bonuses.
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Epilepsy Definition
Epilepsy is a neurological condition triggered by abnormal nerve cell activity in the brain leading to seizures. Seizures can be mild or severe and can vary from uncontrollable twitching to briefly gazing vacuously to loss of awareness.
Mild or severe, a seizure that occurs during activities such as driving or swimming could be fatal. In a lifetime, one in every 26 people will be diagnosed with the condition.
According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 150,000 cases of neurological conditions that cause seizures are diagnosed in the United States every year.
The Timeframe from Last Seizure
You are required to notify your state’s department of motor vehicles if you are diagnosed with epilepsy, as outlined by Stanford Healthcare. Consult your doctor and get more information about your conditions. State laws vary when it comes to epileptic drivers.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as seizure while driving insurance. But that doesn’t mean that there are no options when it comes to car insurance for epilepsy sufferers.
Car insurance after a seizure can change depending on the set of circumstances. For example, state DMVs cover all types of epileptic related seizures including:
- Seizures that lead to loss of consciousness.
- Myoclonic seizures cause sudden twitches or movements in various parts of the body.
- Tonic seizures which involve stiffening and tightening of the muscles within the affected part of the body. Commonly affected areas are back, legs and arms.
- Atonic seizures lead to loss of muscle control within the patients’ bodies making them collapse or fall.
- Clonic seizures involve experiencing repeated movements in the arms, face, and neck. The movements occur in a rhythmic manner.
- Seizures that occur when you are conscious.
- Warnings and auras.
Generally, there is a set timeframe within which if you go without experiencing a seizure, you become eligible to drive.
You could naturally stop experiencing seizures, or your doctor can help you manage them with medication, what matters is that you have to be seizure-free for a given period of time to start driving again.
For instance, let’s examine the topic of seizures and driving in California.
When it comes to epilepsy and driving in California, if the person goes six months without experiencing a seizure, they regain their full driving privileges, but it wasn’t always this way.
California epilepsy driving laws have changed over the years, and that is largely due to epileptic drivers reporting seizures to the DMV in California. These reports enacted positive change such as the state government making recommendations like the best car for an epileptic.
Regardless of which state you live in, deferral law mandates that patients can still drive after three to five seizure-free months. Epileptic commercial drivers, on the other hand, will take much longer before they can regain their full driving privileges.
Two Levels of Epileptic Drivers
Epilepsy and driving insurance is common in the United States. Essentially, there are two levels of epileptic drivers in the U.S.:
Medical probation Type 2
The medical probation type 2 categories feature patients who have gone for about three-five months without experiencing any seizures.
Their doctors are supposed to report their progress to the DMV on a regular basis until they have been seizure-free for six months.
Patients with a history of reporting inconsistent or totally withholding medical information may never regain their full driving privileges.
Medical probation Type 3
Medical probation Type 3 epileptic drivers must have gone six months without experiencing any seizures.
At this stage, motorists regain their full driving privileges but will continue to self-report the condition to the DMV. Most states have similar approaches towards epileptic drivers, what varies is the seizure-free timelines.
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Is epilepsy a road hazard?
Statistics show that epileptic patients who appropriately manage their condition present no more risk than other drivers. For this reason, epilepsy and car insurance work side-by-side to hold drivers accountable, the same as any other motorist on the road.
As far as driving on U.S. roads is concerned, epilepsy patients should adhere to both the state laws and their doctor’s recommendations whether it is managing the condition with medication while still driving or temporary termination of driving.
Patients who experience seizures frequently should not consider getting behind the wheel at all costs. This is important to remember when thinking about epilepsy insurance for yourself, or if you want to find travel insurance for someone with epilepsy.
Does epilepsy affect your auto insurance rates?
Generally, your condition will not affect your car insurance rates. You are not even required to inform your auto insurer about your condition as long as you notify the DMV.
Your auto insurance rates will increase or decrease just as everybody else’s. If you get into an at-fault accident, expect your rates to spike, and if you maintain a clean driving record, you’ll have favorable rates.
However, getting into one accident can increase your rates. Take a look at the following table to see percentage hikes based on one traffic accident.
Average Increase of Annual Car Insurance Rates with One Accident on Driving Record
| Companies | Average Rates with Clean Record | Average Rates with 1 Accident | Rate Increase Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | $1,933.68 | $2,516.24 | 30% |
| Geico | $2,145.96 | $3,192.77 | 49% |
| American Family | $2,693.61 | $3,722.75 | 38% |
| Nationwide | $2,746.18 | $3,396.95 | 24% |
| State Farm | $2,821.18 | $3,396.01 | 20% |
| Progressive | $3,393.09 | $4,777.04 | 41% |
| Travelers | $3,447.69 | $4,289.74 | 24% |
| Farmers | $3,460.60 | $4,518.73 | 31% |
| Allstate | $3,819.90 | $4,987.68 | 31% |
| Liberty Mutual | $4,774.30 | $6,204.78 | 30% |
If you experience a seizure and you are not allowed to drive for some time, try to maintain your current coverage.
If you cancel it will be a lot harder, not to mention expensive, to get another policy. Instead, you can inform your insurer that the car is momentarily not being driven and ask for a parking rate.
Alternatively, you can remove yourself as a registered driver. You’ll save a lot in auto insurance that way.
If you have epilepsy but have been cleared by your state’s DMV to drive, you can go ahead and shop for car insurance as usual. Get the best available deal by comparing multiple quotes. If you experience a seizure, make sure you inform the DMV and your doctor.
Take the first step towards securing an epileptic-friendly policy and compare car insurance quotes today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get auto insurance if I have epilepsy?
Yes, individuals with epilepsy can obtain auto insurance. However, the availability of coverage and the rates may vary depending on the insurance provider and the specific details of your condition.
Will having epilepsy affect my auto insurance rates?
It is possible that having epilepsy may impact your auto insurance rates. Insurance companies consider various factors when determining premiums, including your medical history and driving record. Epilepsy may be considered a risk factor, leading to potentially higher rates.
What information should I provide when applying for auto insurance with epilepsy?
When applying for auto insurance, you will typically be asked to provide information about your medical condition. This may include details about your epilepsy diagnosis, treatment, medication usage, frequency of seizures, and any restrictions or precautions you follow to manage your condition.
Should I disclose my epilepsy diagnosis to the insurance company?
It is important to disclose your epilepsy diagnosis to the insurance company. Failing to disclose relevant information could result in denial of claims or even policy cancellation. Providing accurate information helps ensure that you have the appropriate coverage and protection.
Are there specific insurance companies that specialize in covering individuals with epilepsy?
While some insurance companies may have more experience or expertise in covering individuals with epilepsy or other medical conditions, there is no specific list of companies that specialize in this area. It is recommended to reach out to multiple insurance providers to explore your options.
Are there any alternative options if I’m unable to obtain traditional auto insurance due to epilepsy?
If you are unable to secure traditional auto insurance due to epilepsy, you may consider contacting specialized insurance brokers or exploring state-run insurance programs that cater to high-risk individuals. These options may have specific requirements and limitations.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.