Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi all, I hope you are all safe and well ? This is my first post, I am posting on behalf of a friends acquaintance. They have asked me to find any information regarding discrimination and policy procedures with regards to car insurance.
Last week (Julie) had a car accident, thankfully she was not injured, but her car insurance have advised her that Insurance is void resulting in a very expensive claim and the hiring of a personal insurance lawyer, The insurance company have voided her insurance due to the non disclosure of her diagnosis. (unfortunately I do not know how they have become aware of this information). I have managed to find the following information - which also seems to have huge grey and contradictory areas, If anyone out there can advise me further or point me in another direction, this would be greatly appreciated. I am hoping from this post we can either educate each other or bring to light the unfair discrimination of Car Insurance companies in general.
Car insurance companies should be notified of a disability. Under the Equality Act 2010 (or Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland), insurers can only charge disabled people higher premiums if the extra charge is based on factual or statistical data, or there are other relevant factors which indicate that a disabled person is at higher risk.
The NAS Autism Helpline does not know of any car insurance companies who are specifically aware of ASDs. We can only suggest that you check in detail the policy of individual insurace companies. Please see the 'Useful contacts - insurance' section below for details of some specialist companies who provide insurance for people with a disability. Gov.uk states
Autistic spectrum condition (ASC) and driving
You must tell DVLA if your autistic spectrum condition (ASC) affects your ability to drive safely. This includes Asperger syndrome.
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result.
If you’re applying for your provisional (learners) driving licence
You do not need to tell DVLA about your condition unless you think that it may affect your ability to drive safely.
Ask your doctor if you’re not sure if your condition will affect your driving.
Car or motorcycle licence
If you already have a car or motorcycle licence you need to tell DVLA if:
Fill in form A1 and send it to DVLA. The address is on the form.
Many thanks in advance and thanks for taking the time to read !!
What about if you've already been driving 20 years no problems before your diagnosis. To me that proves your ability to drive as you would of had to pass your driving test also.
You don't just develop Autism overnight you are born with it.
Things can change, you may become more withdrawn, or burnout and that could affect your driving by being less aware, or less focused on driving. You may need medication which might be sedating and may affect your driving.
Its own judgement and responsibility to inform DVLA if you are not safe to drive, that applies to anyone driving for any reason. It may never happen, or until it does, relax and enjoy driving.
Moral of the story is if you want to be on the safe side then just tell DVLA and your insurance you have an ASD then you are covered no matter what if it worries you then there's no comeback.
Personally because my driving has never been affected with my diagnosis before I was diagnosed and after then I have never bothered to inform anyone as it doesn't affect how I drive. But I will after reading this post call both to notify and they can then tell me if anything needs changing.
If it helps reassure you then yes, discuss it with DVLA first and then insurance company if you wish.
As far as I know the DVLA or insurance companies won't be concerned if you let them know you are autistic, but I assume they would ask if you are able to drive safely.