How Drivers With Disabilities Can Save on Car Insurance

More than 70 million adults in the United States have a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's around one in four people.

Those with disabilities experience varying levels of impairment, and many people are more than capable of driving. Of course, that means that, like every other driver, they'll need to purchase auto insurance.

The good news is that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits unjustified discrimination against the disabled when buying all types of insurance, including auto insurance coverage. Insurers must treat all drivers in the same fair way and determine whether to cover them — and how much to charge — based on objective criteria.

This doesn't mean your disability is never a factor though. There are times when your specific condition could affect rates — and you'll also need to consider whether any insurer you're getting coverage from will cover accommodations to your vehicle if they are necessary due to your disability.

This guide will explain these issues and help you make the right choices if you're looking for the best car insurance for drivers with disabilities.

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Your legal rights

The Americans with Disabilities Act broadly prohibits any type of discrimination on the basis of your disability or your disabled status. The ADA prohibits discrimination by:

Employers
State and local governments
Public transportation providers
Public accommodations or businesses and nonprofits that serve the public

Insurance companies are generally covered under the public accommodations portion of the law. For example, an insurance company can't say it won't cover you because you walk with a cane or charge more because you have cancer.

However, insurers are allowed to refuse to insure people with certain disabling conditions or can charge them higher premiums if the decision is based on actuarial data of an increased accident risk.

In other words, if your disability makes driving more dangerous and raises your crash risk, insurers can take that into account. Some examples of conditions that could potentially make it harder to buy insurance because of an elevated crash risk include:

Blindness
Paraplegia
Cerebral palsy
Epilepsy
Some types of mental illness
Stroke
Hearing or vision loss

Because the ADA provides strong protections for the disabled, you have options if an insurer discriminates against you based on your condition. If you believe an insurance company illegally discriminated against you, you can report the incident by filing a complaint with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

The DOJ will review your report and may either begin a mediation or investigation or direct you to another organization to help you. You may also be able to contact a lawyer and sue the insurance company for violating your civil rights.

How vehicle modifications affect your insurance

In many cases, drivers with disabilities will need vehicle modifications to be able to use their cars safely. Depending on your condition, you may have one of many types of adaptive equipment installed, such as:

Hand controls if you don't have good use of your legs
Auto lifts to be able to move into a vehicle in a wheelchair
Transfer seats that swivel to make entry and exit easier
Steering aids to modify the wheel and make it easier to control for individuals with limited upper-body strength
Pedal extensions to allow those with limited mobility to move the pedals

These are just some of the different kinds of devices that can help you drive if you have impairments. Unfortunately, modifying a car with these or other adaptive devices can be expensive, sometimes costing tens of thousands of dollars.

Not only that, but often you will need to buy a specific kind of car to modify it the way you need. For example, you may need a minivan or SUV, both of which can be more expensive than a standard car.

Will your insurer cover your adaptive equipment?

Insurers can sometimes cover adaptive equipment, but it depends on what policy you have.

Most standard auto policies don't cover after-market modifications. However, some insurance companies offer the chance to buy additional protections, including coverage for custom parts and equipment. While this coverage usually pays for things like an upgraded paint job or a fancy music system, it could also offer coverage for adaptive equipment.

However, you'd need to opt into this custom parts coverage when you get insurance and check the policy limits, as many insurers put a cap on the value of custom parts and equipment that they are willing to pay for.

You'll need to shop very carefully for coverage and talk with your insurer or insurance agent to make sure you are protecting any expensive vehicle upgrades you added to your car.

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What insurance should drivers with disabilities buy?

For the most part, when you are buying car insurance as a driver with a disability, you should follow the same guidelines as auto insurance for any other driver. This means you'll need to purchase at least the state minimum required coverage. Depending on where you live, this could include:

Bodily injury and property damage liability coverage to pay for losses you cause others
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to pay for your own losses in case of a minor accident in no-fault states

You may also want to buy additional optional types of coverage, including:

Collision coverage: This will pay for damage to your own vehicle if you're in a crash that involves another driver or object. If you had to purchase an expensive vehicle in order to modify it, this may be especially important to you
Comprehensive coverage: This pays for damage to your car from non-crash losses as well as paying out if your car is stolen. Again, if your vehicle is an expensive one, this coverage matters a lot.
Medical payments coverage: This can help you cover the cost of medical treatment if you are hurt in a wreck. It may be important if your condition makes it more likely you'll suffer serious and expensive injuries if a collision occurs.
Gap insurance: If you have a car loan, this pays the difference between what you owe and the vehicle's fair market value, which is all the insurer will pay if the car is totaled or stolen. Again, with expensive cars, this can be very important.
Custom parts and equipment coverage: When you have modified your vehicle and want coverage for the updates you made, you'll need to add this to your insurance policy.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This makes sure your damages are covered if you're involved in an accident with another driver who should cover your damages but who has too little insurance coverage to pay for all your losses.

Tips for saving

Saving on car insurance is important for everyone but especially if you must buy added coverage to ensure your vehicle modifications are protected. The good news is, you have options for saving on insurance, including:

Getting quotes from multiple insurers to make sure you find the most affordable coverage that meets your needs
Asking about discounts you may be eligible for, such as savings for taking a defensive driving course
Making sure you get the right coverage, including choosing a deductible that makes sense for you so you don't overpay for protections you don't need
Maintaining a safe driving record because accidents and tickets cause premiums to increase

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Financial assistance

If you need financial assistance in covering vehicle modifications or other costs, you may be able to find help from local nonprofits or other organizations. Some places to look for help include:

USA.gov's Disability Services: This provides information on government resources that may be available, such as Social Security Disability benefits and Medicaid.
Local organizations: For example, the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council provides funding opportunities year-round.
Car manufacturers: For example, Stellantis offers a tool you can use to find grants to modify vehicles to make them accessible to drivers and passengers with disabilities.

FAQs

Can insurance companies require me to make certain modifications to get coverage?

Car insurance companies don't usually specify vehicle modifications before offering coverage.

What happens if my adaptive equipment is damaged in an accident?

If your adaptive equipment is damaged in an accident, you may be covered by your auto insurer if you have Custom Parts and Equipment Coverage. This is an optional add-on, and there may be a strict limit for the amount of coverage you can buy. Still, it is often worth signing up for when you have expensive, customized items in your vehicle.

How do I handle insurance when moving to a different state with my modified vehicle?

When you are relocating with a modified vehicle, you can contact your insurance carrier and see if they offer coverage in the state you are moving to.

You can also shop around for new coverage in your new location, as there may be cheaper alternatives. However, make sure to discuss with the insurance company whether your modifications would be covered or not.

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Bottom line

Car insurance for a driver with a disability is the same as car insurance for any driver — there are no specialized plans for individuals with disabilities. However, if you need to ensure you have coverage for aftermarket vehicle adaptations, you will need to look for an insurer that offers this specialized coverage as an add-on and provides the full protection you need.

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