Car for new driver with prosthetic leg

[kiwijimmy]

I've been having a look through the forums trying to find inspiration - we need to change cars so that our 17 year old won't bankrupt us when we come to insure him. He has a prosthetic leg, though left leg so should make no difference as long as he drives an automatic. I have two questions for you - any recommendations for low insurance group auto with enough space to fit the labrador in the back? The lower group cars tend to be manuals or things like the VW Up with a semi-auto box - neither of which work. Second question - anyone any experience of insuring with a lower limb amputation? Playing around on moneysupermarket, just by ticking the box that he has a medical condition that he needs to notify DVLA about (even with no DVLA restriction) pushed the quote up by 30% - boils my blood! Thanks for any help you can give!

[Scrump]

Why would the Vw Up ASG not be suitable? It is an automated manual rather than a torque converter type conventional automatic but it does not have a clutch pedal so the controls are the same as a normal auto.

[Pica-Pica]

Having a medical condition that DVLA need to know about does not necessarily push premiums up. Epilepsy is one such condition, once GP and consultant describe to DVLA how the condition presents itself, is managed, and controlled then that should be considered.

[longblackcoat]

Try an older car, perhaps? Decade old C Class estate?

I was amazed at how little it cost to stick my 19 yo on a 13 yo E Class.

All of that said, no idea on the right broker.

[SWoll]

Scrump said:

Why would the Vw Up ASG not be suitable? It is an automated manual rather than a torque converter type conventional automatic but it does not have a clutch pedal so the controls are the same as a normal auto.

Too small I would assume?

Insurance going to be a killer on anything at 17 so best bet just to do an AT search for auto cars in budget and keep putting them through one of the compare websites and see what comes back. As above though don't necessarily assume what will be cheaper as can be surprised.

Edited by SWoll on Friday 15th March 19:51

[ZX10R NIN]

Ring an actual broker as they tend to find better deals, I'd second looking at a Mondeo sized car as at times (very much model specific) they workout cheaper.

Astra GTC

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Elite

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mercedes C180 Sport Edition

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

CLC Sport

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Pica-Pica]

There may be some guidance here, or an appropriate link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessi...

[InitialDave]

What's the budget for the car?

[Janluke]

I am a below knee right leg, DVLA aware, no restrictions on my licence, I drive manual unmodified motorcycles and cars and there is no extra premium on my insurance

[elanfan]

There should be no difference in price/terms due to disability - it’s illegal! You need to inform insurers thats all! 36 years in insurance and also an amputee.

You could try one of the smaller Volvos - don’t they do a 1.6D

[986johnjohn]

My nephew recently purchased a 2012 Fiesta 1.4 auto
It was a cheap option to insure as a first car

[Sc0tchland]

kiwijimmy said:

I've been having a look through the forums trying to find inspiration - we need to change cars so that our 17 year old won't bankrupt us when we come to insure him. He has a prosthetic leg, though left leg so should make no difference as long as he drives an automatic. I have two questions for you - any recommendations for low insurance group auto with enough space to fit the labrador in the back? The lower group cars tend to be manuals or things like the VW Up with a semi-auto box - neither of which work. Second question - anyone any experience of insuring with a lower limb amputation? Playing around on moneysupermarket, just by ticking the box that he has a medical condition that he needs to notify DVLA about (even with no DVLA restriction) pushed the quote up by 30% - boils my blood! Thanks for any help you can give!

Isn't he eligible for the Motability scheme? https://www.motability.co.uk/about-the-scheme/who-...

[kiwijimmy]

Sc0tchland said:

Isn't he eligible for the Motability scheme? https://www.motability.co.uk/about-the-scheme/who-...

Thanks Sc0tchland - I don't think he will be. His disability isn't that severe and he doesn't need a car with modifications.

[kiwijimmy]

Thanks for the various responses. I would have replied sooner, but have been locked out for some reason. Good to hear that people have practical experience of getting insurance at no extra cost with a prosthetic. I changed the disability section in the moneysupermarket section and it seemed to have an effect, but I will take a closer look or perhaps use a broker.

I might be too hung up on the insurance group - perhaps an older larger car will be just as cheap. Will take a look at some of the suggestions. Budget is up to £8k.

[Janluke]

kiwijimmy said:

Thanks for the various responses. I would have replied sooner, but have been locked out for some reason. Good to hear that people have practical experience of getting insurance at no extra cost with a prosthetic. I changed the disability section in the moneysupermarket section and it seemed to have an effect, but I will take a closer look or perhaps use a broker.

I might be too hung up on the insurance group - perhaps an older larger car will be just as cheap. Will take a look at some of the suggestions. Budget is up to £8k.

Online insurance sites sometime struggle with anything a little different so a phone call often helps. I always inform the insurance but as I understand it if the DVLA are aware and there are no restrictions on the licence then they won't charge him any more. If the car had any modifications there may be small fee as this increases the total value of the car. Elanfan may be able to confirm this as I think he said he works in insurance while I'm just an punter.

Other things to consider from an amputee POV are

Getting in and out, some cars with tighter door space can be an issue
Full adjustment of seat height, position and steering wheel
Room in the footwell so you're not clanking the leg with every small movement

None of the above are big problems but just stuff to consider.

and where there's a will there's a way

I still have the plate but not the car

[kiwijimmy]

Love the plate, Janluke. And thanks for the tips.

[anonymous-user]

Is he above or below knee?

My dad (above knee, left leg) finds the seating position in his Freelander a lot easier than a car, he also finds climbing in, rather than down and in easier, definitely worth looking at a few different types of car that suit him (and you)

[Jonny_]

Low insurance + auto, perhaps a Prius or a Yaris/Auris hybrid?

Boring yes but they're slow and have zero boy racer appeal, so should be relatively cheap to insure.

[anonymous-user]

Jonny_ said:

Low insurance + auto, perhaps a Prius or a Yaris/Auris hybrid?

Boring yes but they're slow and have zero boy racer appeal, so should be relatively cheap to insure.

I feel for a Labrador in the back of a Yaris

If I've read the OP right this needs to be a family car that the 17 year old can be insured on?

[kiwijimmy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

He's below knee, so perhaps not such a big deal. He needs a bit more space in the back of the car than he would do otherwise, so probably worth thinking about the fit of the car.