Car Insurance for Disabled Drivers (2024)

Your rights as a disabled driver

Under the ADA, it’s illegal for car insurance companies to turn down drivers with disabilities or charge them more because of their condition. Companies must use the same set of standards to assess every driver. These often include age, location, vehicle make and model, credit score, and driving history.

Even though your disability may be the reason you opt for additional auto insurance coverage — like mobility car insurance, for example — you should receive the same car insurance plans as other drivers. Disability car insurance simply doesn’t exist.

If you believe an auto insurance company is discriminating against you because of your disability, reach out to the protection and advocacy organization in your state for more information about your rights. It’s important to understand that while living with a disability doesn’t necessarily mean you pose a higher risk for an accident, some medical conditions may affect safety and require medical approval for driving.

Therefore, if you do have a disability or chronic medical condition, consult your doctor about how it affects your ability to drive. Doing so will protect you and other drivers while identifying potential safety risks that can influence your auto insurance rates.

Cost of car insurance for modified vehicles

Insurers can’t charge you more for coverage simply because you have a disability, but they can increase your premiums if your disability leads to risk factors like impaired vision or limited mobility. It’s also not uncommon to pay more for car insurance if your vehicle has special modifications. Knowing how car modifications can affect your rates can help you find the best coverage for you.

Common vehicle modifications and equipment for disabled drivers and passengers include hand controls, automatic doors, parking brakes, amputee rings, keyless entry and ignition, and power seats. More potential features include siren detectors, steering devices, wheelchair ramps, adjustable seats, and restraints.

If you have any car modifications, disclose them to your insurance company. This way, you can make sure you receive coverage and reimbursement in the event that you have to file an auto insurance claim.

If you have vehicle modifications, you’ll likely want to at least buy a full-coverage policy to protect your car. Compare average full-coverage car insurance quotes from top insurers below.

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Additional coverage for disabled drivers and passengers

Drivers in almost every state will need to purchase their state’s minimum insurance requirements, which typically at least includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. Here are the common mandatory coverages:

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  Liability coverage

  Liability insurance typically includes bodily injury and property damage liability, which can cover the other driver’s resulting injuries and vehicle damages if you cause an accident. It can also cover your related legal costs.

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  Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage

  Required in some states, PIP insurance can cover medical and non-medical expenses for you and your passengers following a car accident.

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  Medical payments coverage

  A few states may require drivers to purchase medical payments insurance, which covers medical and funeral expenses up to a certain coverage limit.

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  Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage

  UM/UIM insurance will cover you if you have an accident with a driver without any or enough car insurance.

You might want to consider a number of additional coverages if you want protection for your vehicle — especially if you have a modified vehicle to accommodate your disability. Purchasing full-coverage insurance and other optional coverages will cost you more, but it might be worth it to have ample protection in case of an accident. Consider the following common optional coverages:

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  Full coverage

  Full-coverage insurance typically includes liability, collision, comprehensive, and medical payments insurance.

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  Collision coverage

  If you have a collision with another vehicle or object, collision insurance can cover your vehicle, regardless of fault.

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  Comprehensive coverage

  Comprehensive insurance covers vehicle damages from non-collision events, including severe weather, vandalism, and theft.

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  Equipment or special equipment coverage

  Modified car insurance can help cover any modifications you make to your vehicle to accommodate for your disability. Depending on the policy, it may also cover equipment not attached to your car, like a wheelchair, walker, or motorized scooter.

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  Roadside assistance coverage

  Roadside assistance coverage includes services like flat tire changes, jump-starts, and towing to the repair shop.

Other factors that affect the cost of car insurance

Car insurance companies consider various factors when determining your car insurance premium, including the following:

• Driving record: Drivers with past incidents, like speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUIs, pay higher rates for coverage than people with clean records.

• Insurance history: Your past insurance and claims history affect how much you pay for coverage. Having past claims or a history of non-payment increases the risk you pose to an insurer.

• Credit history: Insurance companies see a correlation between credit history and your likelihood of filing a claim. Drivers with poor credit history pay higher premiums than people with good or excellent credit.

• Age: Your age plays a significant role in how much you pay for coverage. Teenagers pay the highest rates due to a lack of driving experience and higher accident rates.

How to get cheaper car insurance for drivers with disabilities

Though you can’t change some factors, like your age and past driving record, you can find ways to earn cheaper car insurance. Consider the following steps to reduce your car insurance costs:

• Compare quotes. The best way to find cheap coverage is to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies at once.

• Increase your deductible. Setting a higher deductible will decrease your car insurance premium. If you can afford a higher out-of-pocket payment in the event of an accident, you should consider increasing your auto coverage.

• Ask about discounts. Most companies offer a variety of discounts, so you should always inquire with your insurance agent about what you qualify for. Common savings opportunities include good driver, multi-vehicle, and anti-theft device discounts.

• Bundle home and auto insurance. Many insurers offer bundling discounts for policyholders who buy two or more coverages, like auto and home, renters, or life insurance.

Drivers with disabilities FAQs