Car Insurance for Disabled Drivers (2024)

Anna Baluch
Written byAnna Baluch
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Anna BaluchInsurance Writer
  • 4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

  • MBA from Roosevelt University

Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.

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Jackie Cohen
Edited byJackie Cohen
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Jackie CohenEditorial Manager

Jackie Cohen is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in property & casualty insurance educational content. She has years of experience analyzing insurance trends and helping consumers better understand their insurance coverage to make informed decisions about their finances.

Jackie's work has been cited in USA Today, The Balance, and The Washington Times.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated April 18, 2024

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Cheapest recent rates

Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $35/mo for liability only and $40/mo for full coverage.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on April 18, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from April 18, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on April 18, 2024

Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from April 18, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.

Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it’s illegal for car insurance companies to charge drivers with disabilities higher car insurance rates. Despite this, you may face more expensive premiums. This is because of the safety risks that come with certain medical conditions.

Fortunately, you can take steps to ensure you’re being treated fairly and receive the best car insurance rates possible. You can compare car insurance quotes from several companies online to choose the right policy for your unique situation.

Quick Facts
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that it’s illegal for car insurance companies to charge you more only because you have a disability.

  • Auto insurance companies might still charge higher premiums due to the higher cost of insuring a modified vehicle or the driving safety risk posed by a certain medical condition.

  • Some car insurance companies offer special or adaptive equipment insurance that covers modifications and custom parts, such as wheelchair ramps and emergency brake extenders.

Your rights as a disabled driver

How can people with disabilities save on car insurance?

Its illegal for car insurance companies to charge policyholders with disabilities more for coverage. Drivers with disabilities can save on insurance with discounts and by bundling other insurance policies.

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 are required to 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 impacts your ability to drive. Doing so will protect you and other drivers while identifying potential safety risks that can influence your auto insurance rates.

Best Car Insurance Companies

Best Car Insurance Companies

Car insurance for disability-adapted vehicles

It’s not uncommon for disabled drivers and passengers to pay more for their car insurance because of special vehicle modifications that raise the cost of insurance. Even if you do have car modifications, however, you still have the right to coverage at reasonable rates.

Some of the most widely seen modifications and equipment for disabled drivers and passengers are hand controls, automatic doors, parking brakes, amputee rings, keyless entry and ignition, and power seats. Siren detectors, steering devices, wheelchair ramps, adjustable seats, and restraints are also common.

If you have any car modifications, disclose them to your insurance company. This way, you can ensure you receive the coverage and reimbursement you deserve when you file an auto insurance claim. Disclosing your modifications can also ensure that they get repaired or replaced after an accident. Learn more about handicap placards in our guide.

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Additional coverage for disabled drivers and passengers

You might consider a number of additional coverages if you’re a disabled driver or passenger. Theyll cost you more, but they can accommodate your disability and offer ample protection in the event of an accident. If you want to be fully protected on the road, these options should be on your radar.

You may opt for a full-coverage auto insurance policy, which consists of personal liability and reimburses injuries or damages to other drivers and their property. It also comes with collision and comprehensive coverage and can include personal injury protection, medical payments, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Another wise investment is roadside assistance. It offers services like flat tire changes, jump starts, and towing to the repair shop. Roadside assistance can be a real lifesaver if you’re ever stranded or face unexpected car trouble.

There’s also equipment or special equipment coverage to reimburse any damage to vehicle modifications. Depending on the policy, it may also cover equipment like a wheelchair, walker, or motorized scooter that isn’t attached to your car. Mobility car insurance, which pays for the costs of temporary transportation if your modified vehicle is in the shop after an accident, is worth considering as well.

Cheap Car Insurance

Cheap Car Insurance

Affordable car insurance for disabled drivers

If you have a disability and would like to find cheap car insurance, shop around with an insurance agent or on your own with a tool like Insurify. Car insurance rates can vary greatly, so it’s worth your time and effort to compare quotes and coverage options from different auto insurance companies.

You can also look for discounts such as bundling, low mileage, multi-vehicle, and others that might apply to you. And if you don’t drive very often, you may want to explore pay-per-mile auto insurance, which is usually less expensive.

Best and Worst Sites to Compare Car Insurance

Best and Worst Sites to Compare Car Insurance

Drivers with disabilities FAQs

  • Do you need insurance if you drive a scooter or moped instead of a car or van?

    If you prefer to ride a scooter or moped instead of a car or van, insurance is still important. It’s a good idea to look for scooter and moped insurance policies from car insurance companies like GEICO, Progressive, and Nationwide. Fortunately, most of these plans are affordable.

  • Are there car insurance discrimination laws?

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits auto insurers from charging higher rates solely because of a disability. And other federal consumer protection laws prevent companies from turning away customers because of their gender, race, religion, or disability. Since local laws vary, it’s wise to research other protections in your ZIP code for drivers and passengers with disabilities.

  • Will auto insurance companies require you to modify your vehicle?

    While you don’t have to modify your vehicle if you have a disability, many car insurance companies require it. Also, if your car features everything you need to drive safely, you can position yourself as a more attractive customer and potentially get lower premiums. Some examples of these vehicle modifications include seat belt extensions, transfer seats, steering knobs, pedal extenders, and wheelchair lifts.

  • How can you cover the costs of car modifications?

    There’s no denying that accessibility modifications are expensive. The good news is there is financial support and assistance to make them more affordable. If you’d like to modify a car to meet your particular needs, look into government programs in your state. You can also explore nonprofit organizations like Help Hope Live and MobilityWorks.

  • Do you need medical clearance before you purchase car insurance with a disability?

    In most cases, medical approval isn’t required for you to get behind the wheel as a disabled driver. Your local department of motor vehicles (DMV) will evaluate your abilities and list any limitations on your driver’s license. Also, when you shop for car insurance policies, you may find that many companies ask you for written clearance from a doctor, stating you don’t pose a risk to others on the road. This is particularly true if you have epilepsy or are prone to seizures, fainting, or other symptoms that can lead to dangerous driving.

  • How does a disability affect car insurance rates?

    Your disability can impact what you pay for your car insurance coverage in a number of ways. If your vehicle has modifications, its value will be higher than a standard car, increasing your insurance premium. Also, if you opt for additional coverage to fully protect yourself, like vehicle modification coverage and roadside assistance, you can expect higher rates.

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Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Anna Baluch
Anna BaluchInsurance Writer

Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.

Jackie Cohen
Edited byJackie CohenEditorial Manager
Photo of an Insurify author
Jackie CohenEditorial Manager

Jackie Cohen is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in property & casualty insurance educational content. She has years of experience analyzing insurance trends and helping consumers better understand their insurance coverage to make informed decisions about their finances.

Jackie's work has been cited in USA Today, The Balance, and The Washington Times.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 3,806+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
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