Car Insurance for Drivers With Disabilities

Written by Hillary Kobayashi and 1 other
Nov 25, 2024

Car insurance and vehicle modifications for drivers with disabilities can be pricey, but government programs, special financing, and rebates can lower costs.

Depositphotos 162643926 XL scaled
You’re minutes away from insurance savings.

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:

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:

  • 2% to 25% off your premium for paying your bill on time and opting for electronic payments.
  • 5% to 25% off your premium for installing an anti-theft system (if you have full coverage).
  • 6% to 14% off your total car insurance costs if you pay up front instead of in semi-annual or monthly installments.
  • 8% to 25% off your rate for insuring multiple cars with the same provider.
  • 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.


Learn more: Cheap car insurance for low-mileage drivers


State-sponsored programs

The following states offer subsidized auto insurance for low-income drivers, including drivers with disabilities and social security recipients:

Compare quotes

One of the best ways to save money on your monthly car insurance premium is to make sure you have the best deal. With Jerry, you can easily compare car insurance quotes from dozens of providers. The app will show you rates based on your driver profile, including your driving record and vehicle information. You can also adjust your car insurance coverage levels directly in the app.

Simply download the Jerry app, enter your information, and review auto policies from the best car insurance companies.

SIMPLIFY YOUR CAR INSURANCE IN MINUTES

Your rights as a driver with disabilities

As a disabled driver, your civil rights are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

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.

The ADA has tips to help disabled individuals file a successful complaint.

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:

ModificationDescriptionAverage cost to install
Hand controlsAllows 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 liftsAllows a passenger or driver using a wheelchair or scooter to enter the vehicle$1,500 to $30,000
Transfer seatsHelps a wheelchair user to transfer from the wheelchair to the driver’s or passenger’s seat$3,000 to $8,000
Pedal extendersBring the gas and brake pedals closer to the driver’s feet$125 to $200
Left foot acceleratorAllows a driver to operate the gas pedal with their left foot instead of the right$150 to $800
Seat belt adjustmentsProvides extra protection for drivers or passengers with mobility limitations$30 to $400
Amputee ringsClamp onto steering wheel to assist drivers with below-elbow amputations$80 to $400
Steering wheel knobsAttach 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:

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?
  • Can I add a carer or family member to my car insurance policy?
MEET OUR EXPERTS
meet-experts-thumbnail
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.

meet-experts-thumbnail
Amy Bobinger

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.