Driving with MS Car Insurance

[coco31]

Does anyone know if I have to let my car insurance copmany know that I have MS? Will it effect the fee's of my policy?

[Al_Cajonic]

You are legally obliged (in the UK) to inform your insurance company and the DVLA if you have MS. Unfortunately it does seem to have a big effect on your premiums. I am 23 and have 6 points on my license, and when i did a search for insurance online i was getting quotes ranging from £500-1200 pounds, however, there was no where in the online form that i could notify the search of me having MS. when i requested a quote through the M.S Society the cheapest quote i received was £4600 rising to £5000 if i pay in installments. This figure seemed ridiculous to me so i will try to find out if the cheap online quotes will change much when i inform them of my condition.

[Al_Cajonic]

You are legally obliged (in the UK) to inform your insurance company and the DVLA if you have MS. Unfortunately it does seem to have a big effect on your premiums. I am 23 and have 6 points on my license, and when i did a search for insurance online i was getting quotes ranging from £500-1200 pounds, however, there was no where in the online form that i could notify the search of me having MS. when i requested a quote through the M.S Society the cheapest quote i received was £4600 rising to £5000 if i pay in installments. This figure seemed ridiculous to me so i will try to find out if the cheap online quotes will change much when i inform them of my condition.

[Al_Cajonic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmpMlOpHnTk

[dallastexas21]

This is all really helpful to know for me. I have a brother-in-law with MS, and he's been having the same questions as you. So far he hasn't said anything, but if he needed to he wanted to know. Does it depend on what kind of car insurance you might have? He has insurance like this,  http://www.azmerit.com , and could use any help you might have.  

[SarahL2491]

if you are not fit to drive, its your doc's responsibility to notify the state.  If my eye dr, for example, deems I can't drive, she is obligated, she says, to notify them....just FYI

I would never risk my fellow drivers if I felt I could not drive safely.  I'd hate to have an accident, be laid up, sued and denied coverage by my company for not telling them........

I have a friend with severe MS and the last time I rode with her, I think I kissed the ground when I got out of the car and vowed never again to let her drive if we went out!  It was an eye opener for sure

[garfieldlogan]

I don't think you have to say anything unless the condition truly effects your ability to drive. I can see your concern, car insurance is getting more expensive all the time.

[Quixotic1]

I should also mention that my insurer never asked the medical question.  My license now requires me to drive a car with hand controls, a steering knob, and external mirrors on both sides.  Basically, it my own car or nothing.  But, it is better than nothing and much better than when I discovered that I couldn't always get my right foot to the brake.

Q

[doublevision1]

Hi Sharon,

rather than repeat myself, here are a couple of threads I started in 2008 when I faced the dilemma of reporting my dx to the DMV when I renewed my license.  

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/Drivers-Licence/show/540901

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Multiple-Sclerosis/drivers-license--the-saga-continues--need-your-feedback/show/677439

Long story short I erred on the side of caution and reported it to DMV and my auto insurer.  Am now subject to annual renewal of my license accompanied by supporting medical documentation.  I did so just last week and on her report my GP recommended lifting this condition to allow me to be able to renew every five years as is the norm in my province.  DMV said I needed to appeal in writing to them, the licensing agent couldn't make this decision.  So I plan to do that one of these days.  

[coco31]

Might also add - I'm on dantrium (dantrolene I think is US name) and rivotril (Clonazepam) for very bad fasiculations and because of the side effects I think I am going to disclose to insurence company. . . I'll let you know how I get on......

Thanks

Sharon

[coco31]

UP-Date: I contacted the MS society in Ireland today and they said it is best to report this to your insurence company. Lets say for example you are in a car accident... and need the A&E. Your Dr will look at not only your symptoms as a result of an RTA but also past medical history.... in my case it would reveal MS. The insurence company can therefore not decide not to insure you.

[Mike_Shuswap]

Sorry I should have mentioned I am not diagnosed other than I have a demyelinating disease, possible MS. My GP is not only concerned about my cognative and coordination issues, but is afraid I might black out or something while at the wheel.

Mike, LL

[Mike_Shuswap]

I was ordered by my doctor 'No Driving' in Feb '09 when my problems first started. I asked for driving priviliges every appointment, and finally at the end of Sept he agreed to "local driving only, self monitored, and no driving for work" (a big part of my job). Luckily my wife has flexible work hours and is able to drive me where I need to go. My doctor did not inform the insurance co (ICBC where I live) but I feel if was to drive against doctor's orders and get in an accident the insurance co could find me liable.

I wouldn't notify the insurance company, but I would follow my doctor's orders.

Mike

[meg321]

Good topic..,I was thinking that I could tell my insurance company that I am not driving much now and maybe they would lower my premium.  I didnt think that they might ask why i am not driving and I was not going to mention the MS.  It was just a vague thought though until I know more.

I only drive now locally and I don't do that much.  My shopping is suffering too, not a good thing.  The cognative issues and the dizzys keep me from driving..i am much slower reacting to things and my mind wanders, i forget sometimes that I am even behind the wheel and some other cog issues..its scary  when i do drive into town, I am very careful.

hugs, meg

[PastorDan]

Ohio requires a vision test with each license renewal; I was a little concerned with the last one.

Loretta (my late wife, for those of you who are new here, or for those who aren't so new but have memories as foggy as mine about others' data) actually had some degree of difficulty passing her last one, but the BMV clerk kept giving her tips and adjusting the test machine until something satisfied her and she declared the test passed.  Loretta was diabetic, and had already known that her sight was dimming.  In practice, though, I think it was her medications that made driving most risky for her and others, versus her vision.

[Valerie64]

yeah I agree with alixjo, I've just sent for my daughter's provisional licence and it's in the guidance you have to tell the DVLA if you have MS, you also have to let them know if taking certain medication - can't remember what though

Val

[Lulu54]

Sharon, In the UK the rules are so different.  I understand  over there they take your license away for 6 months if you have a heart attack!

I would check on the rules to be sure, but it seems to me that I have read you must report your MS to the proper authorities.  

good luck,
Lulu

[alixjo]

In the UK you MUST tell both the DVLA and your insurance company about MS or it is invalidated. They cannot increase your insurance premiums though.

[HVAC]

If your insurance asks you if you have a condition and you said nothing it is fraud. Medical never comes up with my car insurance. Heck my mom had the same insurance and drove with her right hand 90% disabled, cataracts, a bad hip, on oxygen, and loaded on pain killers. She had accidents all the time and the insurance covered her. I was amazed when she could barely make it into DMV and they did not bat an eye renewing her license. No eye or road test.

If any insurance asks about a condition and you do not disclose it they will find out. They have agencies who search for the information on all of us.They will allow you to continue to pay premiums but will deny your claim whether its a medical or auto insurer.

I am super careful about driving. I pull through parking spaces when I can. I turn off my radio when backing and open the window so I can hear. My husband is major cyclist so I  realize one minute distraction and I could hit some one on a bicycle. I drive like a bicycle could be anywhere. Where we live that is often the case.

If I am slow thinking I do not drive that day. It could be knowing our limitations makes us better drivers.

[jensequitur]

I have opted not to tell anything to the DMV, but I don't drive without being absolutely sure I can.  Arm weakness was a problem, which then turned to cognitive difficulties, and now spasticity in my right leg.  I could drive today - or at least this morning.

Ooh, a turning knob would be nice.  Spasticity in my hands...

[Quixotic1]

It's a sticky problem.  If you have a condition that affects your ability to drive safely and you do not tell the DMV about it - and you have an accident, then your insurance could conceivably claim that you committed fraud in not telling them.

We are at a disadvantage in that there are studies out there demonstrating that people with MS have slowed reaction times and are less safe drivers.

In my case, I did tell the DMV that I could not drive without adaptive controls.  this led to a couple months of frustration as I lost my license and had to learn to use the controls (see my journal).  But, not I am fully licensed - but just on my car  that has the hand controls.  I have never notified my insurance, because I am now driving legally and safely.

But, it can be a sticky situation.  If you have leg weakness (my problem) arm weakness making it hard to turn the wheel fast and far enough, vision deficits, dizziness when turning your head, then you may want to attack this head on (perhaps a poor choice of words) with the DMV.  You can be okayed to drive with things like turning knobs (which are often otherwise illegal) or required to have bilateral external mirrors (so you don't have to turn your head), etc.

In my view, if I am legal with the state, I am legal with the insurer.  they can't hold me to a higher standard than other licensed drivers.  But, if there is a problem and I never told the licensing authority, then I would be liable to be cited, lose my license and be sued.

My thoughts.  Yes, owning up to the problem DID complicate my life.

quix

[coco31]

thats what I thought but wasn't 100% sure. Thank you.

[jensequitur]

I haven't let anybody know except my employer, and of course my friends.  I don't think you're obligated to let anybody know until you're ready.  If for example your driver's license status changes to disabled, then you would have to say something.