If you’re living with a disability, the last thing you want is for life to be made even more difficult for you. Mobility and being able to do the things that able-bodied people take for granted is vital – which is why new research into alleged discrimination from car insurance companies is so disheartening.

According to a report in The Observer, several car insurance firms are using a loophole in the law to discriminate against disabled drivers.

How disabled drivers are exploited

Under the Disability Discrimination Act of 2005, insurers are prohibited from refusing cover or charging higher premiums on the grounds of disability. However, according to a survey by the British newspaper, insurers are working around these anti-discrimination laws by using legislation that allows them to reject cover for heavily modified vehicles.

A survey of 115 insurers found 31 refused to cover the disabled driver because of vehicle ‘modifications’ even though it was explained to the insurers in question that these modifications were for a wheelchair ramp and hand controls.

The reason insurers can refuse to offer cover for modified vehicles is because many boy racers alter their cars to boost their performance. With accident rates so high, an insurer could deem this group to be a much higher risk.

However, according to Fish Insurance, a specialist insurer for people with disabilities, those who aren’t able-bodied are generally a better risk than many other groups of motorists and there is no justification for them to be charged higher premiums.

How disabled drivers can get car insurance quotes

Thankfully the majority of insurers will offer cover to disabled drivers. Anyone looking for a quote should use a comparison website to compare deals from as many insurers as possible to get an overview of the market and ensure they’re not receiving a ridiculously high quote based on their disability.

By: Alex Gregory

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