Car Insurance for Drivers With Disabilities
Driving provides independence and freedom for people living with a disability. In Ireland, disabled drivers are legally protected from discrimination when applying for car insurance.
Ireland’s Equal Status Act prohibits insurers from increasing costs or punishing drivers because of their disability. Insurance pricing still relies on basic factors. These include driving history, claims record, vehicle type, mileage, and declared adaptations.
The Disabled Driver and Disabled Passenger scheme helps cover costs to modify or adapt vehicles. This makes it easier and more comfortable for drivers with disabilities to stay mobile.
So, it’s important to know how insurers evaluate adapted vehicles and medical disclosures when comparing disabled driver insurance in Ireland.
How Insurers Assess Drivers With Disabilities
Insurers assess disabled drivers using the same core risk criteria as other motorists. All insurance providers have to by law provide coverage quotes for drivers in this group, just as they do for other drivers. In addition, they cannot add premiums to disability coverage solely because of the disability.
A driver with disabled driver motor insurance can also add a named driver, such as a carer, to their policy so that the named driver can drive the car when required.
What Does Disability Car Insurance Cover?
Comprehensive cover is often chosen where vehicles include significant adaptations, as it provides broader protection for both the vehicle and specialist equipment.
Where there has been a modification to your vehicle, such as wheelchair ramps installed or hand operated controls put into place or special seating arrangements, you should declare this when purchasing your policy so that it will be included in the assessed value of the vehicle. Some Insurance Companies will require documentation from a professional to confirm that the modifications were done by one.
The other features and benefits provided by the policy may differ depending on the insurance company, especially if your vehicle is an adapted/accessible vehicle and/or wheelchair accessible vehicle.
Common Disabilities For Drivers In Ireland
As long as a driver discloses the nature of their disability, such as being an amputee, then there can be no additional hindrance to accessing disabled driver insurance in Ireland. Modifications such as hoists or driver-assistance controls can be factored into your policy.
Drivers with visual impairments, such as glaucoma or cataracts, must disclose these conditions if they affect their ability to drive. Insurance is generally available where the driver is medically certified and legally licensed.
You must disclose an acquired brain injury when arranging motor insurance. Insurers may require confirmation of the driver’s medical fitness to hold a licence. Where adaptations are needed, you must declare them so that they are included in the policy.
Arthritis does not require disclosure unless it affects driving ability. Notify insurers if mobility issues require vehicle changes or affect vehicle control. Failure to disclose a material change in driving ability could affect cover.
Drivers with cerebral palsy can get standard motor insurance if they share all necessary medical and adaptation details. Insurers check driving history, licensing status, and declared modifications to assess risk. They do not focus on the diagnosis itself.
A spinal injury should be disclosed where it affects mobility or requires any sort of vehicle adaptation. Insurers might also request medical certification confirming fitness to drive. Specialist equipment must be included in the insured value of the vehicle.
Drivers with Multiple Sclerosis must notify their insurer of their disability and any required vehicle modifications. This mandatory task ensures the driver is fully covered under their policy. They must also notify the driving licence authority in Ireland.
Vehicle Adaptations & Disclosure
You must declare vehicle adaptations if you need them for safe driving. Some adaptations might change your premium. This is because they can be costly to replace or fix.
Many drivers with a disability will have their vehicles modified to include features like:
- Hand controlled driving systems
- Wheelchair ramps or lifts
- Swivel type seats
- Steering assistance
- Altered pedal positions
Cost of Car Insurance for Disabled Drivers
All insurers operating in Ireland must comply with equality legislation. Each provider has different rules for documentation, adaptation valuation, breakdown support, and replacement vehicle options.
Check different policies. This helps make sure your cover meets legal needs. It also supports practical mobility.
Under Irish law, insurers cannot charge higher premiums solely because of a disability. However, overall pricing still reflects standard underwriting factors such as:
- Driving history
- Claims record
- Vehicle value
- Cost of declared adaptations
- Location and mileage
Where specialist equipment increases the insured value of the vehicle, this may influence the premium.
Tax Relief & Support Schemes
Disabled drivers can access tax relief under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. It covers the repayment of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and Value-Added Tax (VAT) on the purchase of a vehicle, as well as the cost of adaptation.
Disabled Driver FAQ
Disabled drivers can reclaim Vehicle Registration Tax, VAT from buying a vehicle, and costs for adapting it to their needs. This is covered under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme.
People who qualify for the scheme can access:
- Exemption from VRT
- Refund of VAT
- Exemption from motor tax
- Refund of duty paid on petrol and diesel (max 2,730L)
- Exemption from tolls on each toll road in the state
Yes. The tax relief scheme is designed to support carers and family members who may assist a disabled driver with their driving needs.
If, for example, a car needs to be adapted in order to carry a passenger with a disability (such as a family member), then there is significant tax relief available. The relief bands include:
- €16,000 for adaptations required for a passenger with a disability/family member with a disability.
- €22,000 to facilitate a passenger with a disability requiring more extensive adaptations to allow them to travel as a passenger.
- €32,000 for a passenger with a disability where they are using a wheelchair accessible vehicle but with adaptations.
You can’t just have a disability and pay a higher insurance premium. While you can declare that you have made certain vehicle adaptations which might impact the insured value of your vehicle (especially if the adaptations make it costlier to replace or repair), you will still need to declare all the alterations so that your insurer has full coverage.
Sometimes, an insurer may check with your doctor to see if you’re fit to drive. This is important if you have a medical condition that could make driving unsafe. If you have a valid driver’s licence and meet the requirements, then you will usually be able to get insurance based on standard underwriting.
Yes. A carer can be named as a driver on a disabled driver’s insurance to ensure the driver’s mobility. If this is a goal of your insurance during research, make sure to mention it to the insurance provider at the first instance. While all insurers can offer it, coverage and costs may vary.
While not all disabilities require mandatory disclosure to an insurer, disclosing your disability will ensure that you get the right level of protection for your needs. There is no obligation to share information about the nature of your symptoms or what the daily challenges of having that specific disability may be, but sharing as much information as you can will generally be helpful.
Yes. If you qualify for the return of taxes under the disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, then you will also qualify for a rebate on fuel. Rates vary depending on whether it is for petrol, diesel, or liquefied petroleum gas. You can claim a rebate on up to around 2700 litres per year.
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