Is Car Insurance void if you're terminally ill?
Discussion
Fitness to drive is something only a doctor can comment on for it to have legal weight. Also a policeman if the driver was visibly unable to control the vehicle or see/hear what was going on. The insurers could only have a getout if the person had been told by a medical professional that they were unable to drive for one reason or another. Doctors are very reluctant to do this, my mother drove until she was almost blind and long after I thought that she was a hazard to shipping, and when I had a head injury with symptoms including double vision and didn't think I was safe to drive the doctors were unwilling to comment. All I got was "Well, it's up to how you feel. If you feel fit to drive and don't think that your injuries are too severe, then I'm not going to stop you."
JeS10 said:
A morbid question, but if you're terminally ill (advanced cancer) does this void your car insurance? Asking on behalf of a family member that is in this unfortunate position. Adamant that he wants to drive, but we don't think that he should for the safety of himself and others.
Has his doctor advised him not to drive? Impending death aside, is he actually currently fit to drive? The fact he's been told he's got 6mo (or whatever) left doesn't automatically mean he isn't fit to drive.FWIW, a friend of ours is currently on about the seventh year of "12mo to go".
You need to notify DVLA of any disability lasting over 3 months which is on their notifiable list. There's a form available, a D100 I think, which lists them. Not sure cancer is on there, as many cancers have no effect on driving ability. Lots of disabilities you would imagine are notifiable in fact aren't. Total deafness for example. They aren't interested.
Insurance companies no longer care much about disabilities. If it's long term and isn't notifiable they won't charge extra, if it's notifiable and DVLA have issued a licence they won't charge extra, and if it's short term and you aren't driving against medical advice they won't charge extra. But if they ask you need to tell them.
1996 disability discrimination act from memory.
Insurance companies no longer care much about disabilities. If it's long term and isn't notifiable they won't charge extra, if it's notifiable and DVLA have issued a licence they won't charge extra, and if it's short term and you aren't driving against medical advice they won't charge extra. But if they ask you need to tell them.
1996 disability discrimination act from memory.
My ex-partner's mum carried on driving with cancer, even when she had a morphine pump to help control her pain.
She was visiting us one day and reversed her car of our driveway and slap bang into the side of our neighbour's micra.
Mind you, she was a s
t driver even before she was diagnosed...
She was visiting us one day and reversed her car of our driveway and slap bang into the side of our neighbour's micra.
Mind you, she was a s
t driver even before she was diagnosed...If he has a path of communication to the specialist/consultant, ask him/her "should I drive" and see what they say. The insurance company basically wants to know if DVLA should be told anything, and if they have. Do not worry about vastly increased premiums, I think there is a bit of recentish legislation about this scenario (a broker should know all the stuff - ask them if you have one).
I would not advise asking the GP as they will often play safe and say "no" but would default to to agreeing with whatever the consultant says - and you should always take the best advice you can.
I would not advise asking the GP as they will often play safe and say "no" but would default to to agreeing with whatever the consultant says - and you should always take the best advice you can.
the various Medical bodies have their own rules on this.
They must inform the Patient of the need to Stop Driving if they ever discover an illness that is contrary to the required health standards for driving. This should be given in writing and records made on the patients private treatment notes, many for "Public Heath" reasons, would report to the DVLA as well if the need was justified.
The reporting physician can decline to disclose the reasons for their report. DVLA would then action on the report alone and execute their own procedures. This would probably be treated as an urgent case and instruction given quickly to the license holder that they have a suspended license pending investigation, much in the same way as a Police report on health matters. The procedure/checks are/is more stringent than anonymous reporting system.
Many will offer to do the required report to the DVLA on behalf of the patient and this is recommended as the best option if there is doubt the patient may ignore the advice to stop.
They must inform the Patient of the need to Stop Driving if they ever discover an illness that is contrary to the required health standards for driving. This should be given in writing and records made on the patients private treatment notes, many for "Public Heath" reasons, would report to the DVLA as well if the need was justified.
The reporting physician can decline to disclose the reasons for their report. DVLA would then action on the report alone and execute their own procedures. This would probably be treated as an urgent case and instruction given quickly to the license holder that they have a suspended license pending investigation, much in the same way as a Police report on health matters. The procedure/checks are/is more stringent than anonymous reporting system.
Many will offer to do the required report to the DVLA on behalf of the patient and this is recommended as the best option if there is doubt the patient may ignore the advice to stop.
Edited by Stickyfinger on Saturday 15th August 16:40
TwigtheWonderkid said:
You need to notify DVLA of any disability lasting over 3 months which is on their notifiable list. There's a form available, a D100 I think, which lists them. Not sure cancer is on there, as many cancers have no effect on driving ability. Lots of disabilities you would imagine are notifiable in fact aren't. Total deafness for example. They aren't interested.
Insurance companies no longer care much about disabilities. If it's long term and isn't notifiable they won't charge extra, if it's notifiable and DVLA have issued a licence they won't charge extra, and if it's short term and you aren't driving against medical advice they won't charge extra. But if they ask you need to tell them.
1996 disability discrimination act from memory.
Insurers can apply restrictions / refuse cover etc due to disabilities although as you mentioned most don't for most medical conditions. It tends to hinge on the DVLA and them issuing a licence / issuing a restricted licence.Insurance companies no longer care much about disabilities. If it's long term and isn't notifiable they won't charge extra, if it's notifiable and DVLA have issued a licence they won't charge extra, and if it's short term and you aren't driving against medical advice they won't charge extra. But if they ask you need to tell them.
1996 disability discrimination act from memory.
The system seems a little woolly to me, as a layman. I have diabetes (with a past of retinopathy) and diagnosed epilepsy. I have a three year restricted license.
Your doctor is not judge and jury on your ability to drive. The DVLA are. Your doctor should warn you if you need to notify the DVLA of any medical conditions. The DVLA will then send out medical questionnaires, contact your doctor and maybe ask for specific tests to be carried out - I get tested on my peripheral vision every time.
It is a little odd though. When I had my first fit about 8 years ago, first doctor I saw basically said, don't worry about it, tapped me on the head and told me to run along..... various friends/ family recommended I went for a second opinion, primarily because he was not investigating the condition further. Second doctor referred me to a neurologist and told me to contact the DVLA who then verbally banned me from driving straight away - until all checks had been completed. (I stopped driving for about 18 months - which was a killer!).
So it can very much depend on your doctor too.....
In all seriousness, if you think the person concerned should not be driving, then ask them to contact their doctor or the DVLA.
Mike
On another note
Your doctor is not judge and jury on your ability to drive. The DVLA are. Your doctor should warn you if you need to notify the DVLA of any medical conditions. The DVLA will then send out medical questionnaires, contact your doctor and maybe ask for specific tests to be carried out - I get tested on my peripheral vision every time.
It is a little odd though. When I had my first fit about 8 years ago, first doctor I saw basically said, don't worry about it, tapped me on the head and told me to run along..... various friends/ family recommended I went for a second opinion, primarily because he was not investigating the condition further. Second doctor referred me to a neurologist and told me to contact the DVLA who then verbally banned me from driving straight away - until all checks had been completed. (I stopped driving for about 18 months - which was a killer!).
So it can very much depend on your doctor too.....
In all seriousness, if you think the person concerned should not be driving, then ask them to contact their doctor or the DVLA.
Mike
On another note
JeS10 said:
He is going to ask the consultant on Monday. Thanks for the in-depth advice 
Best of luck, all fingers crossed.If I may add....recently, I had a similar situation....spend time with the man, talk a lot and keep any conversation going however hard for you. It helps them massively and you will also change for the better, iot is both sobering and lovely to be able to really help.
A group of use put together a schedule and he arranged "any driver cover" so we could drive him out and give his wife some needed hours off, again the positive impact was massive so do not forget her/the family, who also need time to talk/breath/relax as the pressure is weighty on them as well. It does give great talking time, just the two of you, one2one, very special times.
Again, best of luck for the fight ahead.
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