How do I insure my adapted car?

Getting insurance for an adapted car should be as straightforward as insuring an unadapted car but sometimes it can be difficult due to the insurers understanding of adaptations. Insurance companies cannot discriminate against people driving with adaptations but for many of them it isn’t something they will deal with on a daily basis.

We would recommend that you contact your preferred insurance company first to discuss a policy for your adapted car. It is important that you use the word ‘adapted’ rather than ‘modified’ when asked about your car. This is so they know it is adapted to assist your driving rather than modified to enhance the vehicle’s performance or aesthetic

If you do not already have a preferred insurance company, or you are unsure of their understanding of adaptations, there are insurance companies who specialise in cars with adaptations.

FISH Insurance offer various kinds of insurance for people in the disability, mobility and care sectors. They cover adapted car insurance, mobility scooter insurance and many other types of insurance.

To ensure you are covered, the insurers must be aware of your adaptations. We would therefore recommend that if you add any adaptations to your car part way through your policy that you contact your insurers and notify them of the changes.

If you are getting a car via the Motability Scheme, insurance is covered in your Motability lease. If you are leasing a car privately, you should check if insurance is included or not and if it is, you should check they are aware of the adaptations.

As in all situations, you must make sure your policy details are correct and your insurance is valid.