What if I (or any other
insured drivers) have a medical condition?
Driving licences
All licence holders and applicants for a licence
are required by law to notify the DVLA (DVLNI in Northern
Ireland) if they have a medical condition that could affect
their fitness to drive. So you should first check whether
your medical condition prevents you from holding a driving
licence. Advice about driving and medical conditions (for
example, epilepsy, diabetes and heart complaints) can be found
on the web sites of the DVLA
and DVLNI . Useful advice
is also given about driving after surgery and for people with
physical disabilities.
Car insurance & Medicals
Car insurers will wish to know about medical
conditions likely to affect safe driving, and will ask appropriate
questions when you take out or renew your motor car insurance.
Many insurers adopt the stance that, provided any medical
condition or other disability has been notified to the appropriate
licensing authority, and a driving licence has been issued,
then they will treat the application no differently from someone
without such a condition (all other things being equal).
It is a condition of all car insurance policies
that the insured drivers hold the appropriate driving licence.
You must answer truthfully any questions about medical conditions
when you take out or renew your motor insurance. This is important
because, if you fail to provide truthful answers, you may
find that your claim will not be paid, especially if you have
an accident that is attributable to your medical condition.
If you are any doubt about your medical condition and the
implications for your motor insurance cover, do discuss the
matter with your insurer. Similarly, have a word with your
doctor if you have any queries about your medical conditions
or have been prescribed drugs or other treatment that could
affect your driving ability.
Insurers are required by law to justify
their stance if they wish to treat people with medical conditions
or other disabilities differently from other people. For example,
they may use actuarial data, medical research information
or a report from your doctor.
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