[Interpol]

just a quick question.... i have always had my car insurance with the same company for about 10 years, but decided to shop around as the renewal was expensive. on completing the online questions on some of the insurer websites they are asking do you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive? is your car modified or adapted? and does the dvla place place any restrictions on your license ?

i am a para T4 complete, 25 years , i have a full uk auto license and the dvla know i am a para . i drive with becker hand controls. What would any of you in similar circs to mine answer to the above questions? i fail to see what affects my driving skills by being a para , my neighbour has said that insurers mean lowered suspension, alloys, custom kits etc when they ask about modifications not things like hand controls. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[CR_L1]

You must notify the insurer of hand controls (modification)& disability, it all has an effect especially in the event of a claim.
I found using a company that specializes in insuring disabled drivers to be cheaper than all the mainstream companies quoted me.
I'm using a broker http://www.enrouteinsurance.co.uk/
The RAC also do a very good deal for disabled with also the full Monty on breakdown & recovery

Hope it helps,
CR

This post has been edited by CR_L1: 01 August 2009 - 06:22 PM

[trabasackdad]

We have had lots of trouble getting insurance in the past, usually it is with regard to PA s under 25 and often from other countries.

We used en route and they were very good but now using Chartwell

who are even better.

Best of luck

[Denny]

Many of the insurance companies have stopped asking too many questions like the medical condition. I renewed my insurance with directline and the premium did not change even when I said it is hand control fitted. In fact in Prudential (Churchil) and Directline insurances does not list the hand controls are modification, they have added hand controls to the comment section so that the modification is covered. Many be price matters, cause my hand controls cost less that £500. Many other insurance companies still charge extra for hand controlled vehicles.

[Tim13]

You don't have a medical condition that affects your driving (you already drive just fine), they're looking for drivers that are likely to be on heavy medication or have some condition that causes blackouts, seizures etc. ie: more of a risk.

Your neighbor is right about the special equipment question.

[megatrig]

Never ever ever had a problem! With any company!

You simply state Tetra/paraplegic. DVLA Aware.

Car driven with the use of handcontrols.

It doesn't affect your premium or put any restrictions on ever!

Just make sure you have the documentation from the hand control fitters with your insurance info!

[Scribbler]

CR_L1, on Aug 1 2009, 07:20 PM, said:

The RAC also do the full Monty CR

I'd better not tell my PA the RAC guys do the Full Monty CR.. She'll be calling them out everyday.....

I must admit to some naughty re-editing there, but I couldn't resist...

[Boozyuzi]

http://www.fishinsurance.co.uk/ specialise in disabled rivers and there prices were very similar to myprevious insurer + some added extra's like -

New for old cover which specifically protects modifications
Up to £500 wheelchair in transit cover
Free courtesy car or up to £500 mobility allowance if suitable car is not available
Up to £200 personal effects cover
Cover can be included for a personal assistant

http://www.fishinsur...r-insurance.php

A bit extra peace of mind as well as they can't claim to not know about your disability.....

[megatrig]

CR_L1, on Aug 1 2009, 07:20 PM, said:

You must notify the insurer of hand controls (modification)& disability, it all has an effect especially in the event of a claim.
I found using a company that specializes in insuring disabled drivers to be cheaper than all the mainstream companies quoted me.
I'm using a broker http://www.enrouteinsurance.co.uk/
The RAC also do a very good deal for disabled with also the full Monty on breakdown & recovery

Hope it helps,
CR

How many of us read the small print??

As I was off to visit family a while ago ... typically .... the car died. After screaming and shouting I phoned a local hire car company and got a Zafira. Repacked and left a few hours late!

Thinking about things I phoned my breakdown company and asked if I was covered to hire a car in the event of a breakdown.

"Yes sir, You can hire a one liter car, a corsa type car or similar for up to one day".

After coughinmg and spluttering and then trying to be polite. I explained I was a wheelchair user. My cars insured with them are:

1. An E class Merc Estate. Basically a huge thing to fit everything in. So how useful would a tiny car be???

2. My other car is a Porsche 911. Is it fair if that breaks down to ask me to swop to a 1 Ltr. type car?

"sorry sir, those are the rules"

WAS THE SHORT REPLY!

Sooooooo ... If this matters to you give your breakdown cover a call is my advice!