Understanding Insurance Terminology

3 Car Insurance Tips For Drivers With Disabilities

10 October 2016 by Vilma Maki

Did you know that drivers with disabilities often pay more for auto insurance than drivers without disabilities? It's true – in fact, one New York study showed that drivers with disabilities paid as much as 28% more than nondisabled drivers. Of course, the American Disabilities Act prevents discrimination based on disabilities, and insurance companies are not permitted to consider disabilities as a factor when setting your auto insurance rates. But certain factors, like expensive-to-insure modifications to make a car accessible to a driver with disabilities, can make car insurance more expensive anyway. If you're a driver with discounts, take a look at some tips that will help you find more affordable auto insurance.

Be Clear About Your Vehicle Modifications

The fact of the matter is that any vehicle modification makes your vehicle more valuable, which in turn makes it more expensive to insure. But sometimes, insurance companies associate the descriptor "modified" with modifications like those needed for street racing, which indicate a higher risk driver. Make sure that your insurer knows which modifications you have and why, so that they can set your rate appropriately.

Some insurers have agents who specifically focus on helping drivers with disabilities find the right insurance policies. It's definitely worth asking if you can speak to an agent that has expertise in insuring drivers with disabilities when you're seeking a new policy.

Take A Class

Defensive driving classes aren't just for teenagers learning to drive and people looking to reduce the cost of a speeding ticket. There are all kinds of driving classes out there, designed for all kinds of different drivers. That includes classes created for drivers with disabilities, aimed at helping drivers like you drive more safely and handle unique driving situations that nondisabled drivers may not face.

You may not feel that you need a defensive driving classes, and that's fine – but it may be worth taking one anyway if it can help bring your insurance rates down. A little extra driver's education is never a bad thing, and the class may pay for itself over time in the form of reduced insurance premiums. Take a look and see if there are any driver improvement classes for drivers with disabilities in your area, or check online for classes that pique your interest. However, you should check with your insurance company to see if they offer discounts for completing a class from the school you're considering before you put down money for the class.

Ask For Discounts

You're entitled to all of the same discounts that a nondisabled driver is entitled to. However, most of the time, you have to ask for a discount – chances are that the insurance company won't volunteer all of the discounts they offer to see if you qualify. It's important to know what kind of discounts you might be entitled to.

Many insurance companies offer discounts to members of certain professions or professional associations. Are you a teacher, a first responder, or a veteran? You might be eligible for a discount. Other types of memberships can be helpful as well – if you have a membership card for any organization from AAA or the AARP to MENSA, bring it with you to the insurance agency. It just may save you some money. There are also discounts for drivers with low mileage – if you don't drive very often or very far, you may be able to save some cash on your premiums. Even the way that you pay can make a difference – paying quarterly, biannually, or annually instead of monthly often costs less, and so does opting for paperless billing or automatic withdrawal.  

Having a disability is expensive enough as it is – it shouldn't cost you extra just to be able to drive. Shop around and be proactive in looking for ways to reduce your insurance rate so that it fits your budget. For more information, contact an insurance agency like Family Insurance Centers.

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