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Car Insurance for Drivers With Disabilities
Car insurance and vehicle modifications for drivers with disabilities can be pricey, but government programs, special financing, and rebates can lower costs.
Written by Hillary Kobayashi
Edited by Amy Bobinger
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects drivers with disabilities from discrimination by
car insurance
companies. Still, car insurance and vehicle modifications can be expensive. Many nonprofits, government programs, and even car manufacturers offer support to alleviate expenses, including rebates, special financing, and subsidized auto insurance in certain states. Coverage for drivers with disabilities
A car insurance policy for a disabled driver will include the same coverages as a standard car insurance policy for an able-bodied driver:
- State-mandatedliability coverage
- Any other coverage required by your state, such asuninsured motorist coverage,medical payments (MedPay), orpersonal injury protection (PIP)
If your vehicle has been modified to include adaptive equipment, you’ll want to consider these additional types of coverage:
- Custom parts and equipment coverage (CPE): This type of endorsement can be added to your insurance policy to cover your vehicle’s special equipment. Without a CPE endorsement, you won’t be able to get any coverage for assistance devices and essential equipment in your vehicle.
- Mobility car insurance coverage: This add-on helps to reimburse you for the cost of alternative transportation if your adapted vehicle is in the shop for repairs following a covered incident.
- Roadside assistance: If you are a disabled person, roadside assistance can be especially helpful in an emergency. This add-on helps with towing, tire changes, battery jumpstarts, and more.
Affordable car insurance for drivers with disabilities
Disabled drivers, including those on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), can face some of the greatest challenges in finding affordable car insurance.
Finding cheap insurance might feel impossible, but we have some tips on how to save on your monthly car insurance premium.
Car insurance discounts
Discounts are a great way to find reduced auto insurance rates. Most insurance providers offer discounted rates for things like maintaining a
clean driving record
, bundling auto and homeowners insurance, and paying your bill online. For instance, you could get:
- 6% to 14% off your total car insurance costs if you pay up front instead of in semi-annual or monthly installments.
- Up to 26% off your rate if you stay accident-free for a specific period of time (usually three years).
Check with your insurance company to see which discounts are available to you.
Usage-based insurance and pay-per-mile insurance
Two ways drivers with disabilities might be able to save on the cost of insurance is through
usage-based insurance
and pay-per-mile insurance. Usage-based insurance, or telematics programs, uses telematics devices to monitor your driving behavior. If you practice safe driving habits—like avoiding fast braking, accelerating quickly, and using your cell phone while driving—you could earn discounts on your premium.
Pay-per-mile insurance can save you some money if you drive less than the average driver. Your insurance premium will vary from month to month based on how frequently you drive.
State-sponsored programs
The following states offer subsidized auto insurance for low-income drivers, including drivers with disabilities and social security recipients:
- California: TheCalifornia Low Cost Auto (CLCA)insurance program offers discounted rates to drivers with clean driving records who fall under a certain income threshold.
- Hawaii:Assistance to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD)provides free auto insurance, along with other benefits, to elderly and disabled adults who fall below 34% of the 2006 federal poverty line.
- Maryland:Maryland Auto Insurancegives low-cost liability auto insurance coverage to drivers who’ve been denied by other providers.
- New Jersey: TheSpecial Auto Insurance Policy (SAIP)is New Jersey’s so-called “dollar a day” plan, which offers bare-bones medical coverage to certain drivers on Medicaid.
Learn more:
Car insurance for low-income drivers
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Your rights as a driver with disabilities
Your rights as a driver with disabilities:
- An insurance provider can’t deny you or unduly raise your rate if your medical condition is well-controlled.
- You may need to provide a written statement from a medical professional certifying that you’re allowed to drive.
- Your insurance company can’t prevent you from driving—only your doctor and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can declare you unsafe to drive.
However, insurance companies can charge a higher rate for drivers whose health conditions pose a safety risk behind the wheel. These conditions might include:
- Cerebral palsy
- Fainting spells
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Amputation
- Epilepsy
- Stroke
An insurance company may learn about a driver’s health condition due to changes to their driver’s license or incidents in their driving history (e.g. a car accident caused by a heart attack). A driver may also choose to disclose any health conditions to their car insurance company.
If you feel that you’re not being given a fair rate—or if an insurance company tries to deny you coverage just because of your disability—you should report the company to
your state’s department of insurance
. Vehicle modifications
In some cases, your insurance company might require you to install certain modifications in your vehicle to reduce your risk on the road. Or, you may already have adaptive equipment, such as a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
No matter what types of modifications you make to your car, be sure to tell your insurance company about any changes so that your car insurance will cover your new equipment in the event of an accident or claimable incident.
The table below shows common vehicle adaptations for disabled drivers and passengers along with the typical cost of installation:
Modification | Description | Average cost to install |
|---|---|---|
Hand controls | Allows a driver to operate the accelerator and brakes using hand-operated controls on or near the steering wheel | $500 to $5,000 |
Scooter/wheelchair ramps or lifts | Allows a passenger or driver using a wheelchair or scooter to enter the vehicle | $1,500 to $30,000 |
Transfer seats | Helps a wheelchair user to transfer from the wheelchair to the driver’s or passenger’s seat | $3,000 to $8,000 |
Pedal extenders | Bring the gas and brake pedals closer to the driver’s feet | $125 to $200 |
Left foot accelerator | Allows a driver to operate the gas pedal with their left foot instead of the right | $150 to $800 |
Seat belt adjustments | Provides extra protection for drivers or passengers with mobility limitations | $30 to $400 |
Amputee rings | Clamp onto steering wheel to assist drivers with below-elbow amputations | $80 to $400 |
Steering wheel knobs | Attach to steering wheel to allow easier steering with one hand | $10 to $300 |
Resources for financing vehicle modifications
There are several nonprofits and government organizations that are committed to helping finance vehicle modifications for drivers with disabilities. Check them out to see if they may be able to help you pay for modifications to your car:
- The Mobility Resourceis an adaptive driving marketplace that helps drivers find state grants for the car modifications they need.
- The Adaptive Driving Allianceis a national network of wheelchair-accessible car dealers that can help you find financing options and resources.
- Your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)agency can help you cover the cost of vehicle modifications. These offices provide services for people with disabilities and will be able to direct you to the resources you need, including alternative transportation options if necessary.
Manufacturers that offer rebates for vehicle modifications
In some cases, you may also be able to get a rebate from your vehicle’s manufacturer for vehicle modifications and adaptive technology.
Reimbursement typically ranges from $500 to $1,200. Manufacturers with reimbursement programs for special equipment include:
FAQ
What kind of modifications can be made to my car to improve its accessibility?
Some common vehicle adaptations include hand controls, scooter and wheelchair ramps or lifts, transfer seats, pedal extenders, foot accelerators, seat belt adjustments, amputee rings, and steering wheel knobs.
Can I add a carer or family member to my car insurance policy?
Yes, it is pretty common to add other drivers to your policy. Simply gather details from the individual—such as their driver’s license number, their birthday, and their current address—and give your insurance agent a call. You might also be able to add another driver on the insurance company’s website.
Meet our experts
Hillary Kobayashi
Hillary Kobayashi is an insurance writer and editor specializing in insurance and finance topics. Hillary’s mission is to use her knowledge and love of education to help car owners better understand how they can save time and money on car ownership. The articles Hillary has published for Jerry span topics from state-specific bill of sale requirements to SR-22 insurance information.
Prior to joining Jerry, Hillary spent over ten years in education at Pacific University and the University of Oregon.
Amy Bobinger
Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Editor
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars.
Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
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