My cover story

Finding good value car insurance can be tricky if you’re a disabled driver, says Helen Smith. But it’s vital to know exactly what you’re paying for

After becoming disabled, I obtained my first car through the Motability scheme. Insurance was part of the package. But after leaving the scheme and buying my own car, I had to sort out the insurance myself.

Like many disabled drivers, I opted for a specialist disability insurer, which also insured my wheelchair for up to £500 if damaged in an accident. Then, one day on the way to work, a lorry drove into my car. My adapted vehicle was towed away, repaired and returned a fortnight later. Meanwhile, I had £40 a day taxi cover. I would have stayed with the company had they not doubled my premium at renewal to over £1,000 a year. I decided to shop around.

I tried the website www.confused.com but only two companies gave me quotes: Sheila’s Wheels and Norwich Union. I went with Norwich Union.

Many atypical drivers fail to secure online quotes because of the automated risk-assessment systems. If, for instance, you tick a box saying you have a mobility impairment, you are unlikely to get a quote without a phone call.

Had I phoned the companies that failed to give me online quotes, and explained that I drove with hand controls, I hope they would have given me a quote. If they had refused purely because I was disabled, that would surely have been discrimination.

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association told me that insurers “must not” penalise someone for their impairment, although if they have a time-restrictive licence because of their impairment, the
company may need to take that into account when “reviewing the risk” and setting the premium.

Most specialist insurers don’t even provide online quotes. Mark Richardson, of Chartwell Insurance, told me: ”We don’t offer an online quotation service because we don’t believe that they’re thorough enough – there are just too many grey areas.”

Even if I get an online quote, I still phone the company to ensure they have the correct details.

What is worse than being refused an online quote is being denied an adapted car or money for taxis after an accident. It can be much more difficult to get such services from standard insurance brokers.

When I took out my insurance with Norwich Union, I opted not to have a courtesy car in the event of an accident, as I wouldn’t be able to drive it. But I was offered no alternative. However, a Norwich Union spokesman told me they “will try to find a car that someone can drive or provide a cash alternative, but it does depend on the policy”. The person I bought my policy from didn’t seem to know about this.

I have now returned to Motability, so finding insurance is no longer an issue. However, it is vital, when taking out insurance with non-specialist companies, to make sure you know exactly what you will get for your money.