Boy racer laws used to exclude disabled drivers
Car insurance firms are exploiting a loophole in the law to discriminate against disabled drivers, according to a report in yesterday’s Observer.
Many insurers are working around anti-discrimination laws by using legislation that allows them to decline cover to heavily modified boy racer cars.
The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 prohibits insurers from refusing cover or charging higher premiums on the grounds of disability.
However, a survey of 115 insurers by the Observer found 31 who refused cover to a disabled driver on the grounds of vehicle “modifications” – even though it was explained to the insurers that these were a wheelchair ramp and hand controls.
“We have been seeing this for some time, despite the fact that – if anything – people with disabilities are generally better risks than many other groups of motorists,” said Warren Dickson, marketing director at Fish Insurance, a specialist insurer for people with disabilities.
A spokesperson for disabled-rights campaign group Mobilise said it’s “not right” that disabled drivers should find it difficult to get an insurance quote online.
An estimated 3.5 million UK drivers are disabled, including 2.3 million Blue Badge holders.
Category: Car Insurance News, Insurance News
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