Until recently I had no idea that many of the wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) that some disabled people travel in have not undergone sled testing. A sled test is similar to the crash testing seen on TV where a dummy is strapped into a wheelchair within the car, which is then put through head-on collisions to check that both the belts and their fixings are strong enough to withstand a real-life accident and keep the wheelchair user secure.

The reason testing is so vital after conversion to a wheelchair accessible vehicle is because converting a car is a complex process involving significant structural changes to the vehicle, such as lowering the floor. If this is not done properly, and by experts, the car may be unsafe. Statistics show that up to 50 per cent of conversions that have passed other less significant tests fail the vital sled test.

I feel very strongly that disabled people travelling in their wheelchair should be able to purchase a converted vehicle that has been properly tested and is a safe as the original car. This is why Disabled Motoring has launched a new campaign called ‘No Compromises!’ which urges buyers of wheelchair accessible cars to demand sled testing certificates – the only way to check a vehicle is as safe as possible. The campaign will also seek to change legislation so that only ‘sled tested’ vehicles can be sold.

From 29 April 2012, wheelchair accessible vehicles have to meet both the European standard for the car before it is converted and pass additional tests which check the changes made during the conversion process. However, not every conversion will have passed the same tests and it doesn’t guarantee that sled testing has been carried out.

To find out more about this campaign visit www.disabledmotoring.org

 
Do you drive a WAV? If so then you may be interested in Fish’s specialist disabled car insurance. Designed specifically to serve disabled drivers it provides new-for-old cover which protects modifications, insures wheelchairs in transit and offers a mobility allowance (or courtesy car). For more details or to get a disabled car insurance quote click here or call 0800 08853050.

Could the high profile reporting of rare incidents influence government policy on the use and regulation of mobility scooters – to the detriment of disabled people?

It seems the British press and even politicians just can’t resist scare stories about mobility scooters. The latest is the suggestion that, as the nation tightens its collective belt, able-bodied people will ditch their petrol hungry, tax laden cars in favour of mobility scooters.  “SKINT able-bodied Brits are turning to mobility scooters to get around” screeched The Sun, adding, “It is feared that if too many able-bodied adults use the loophole, pavements will become clogged up.

The story cited a Devon MP who claimed to have seen “able bodied locals” using mobility scooters to cart around golf clubs and shopping whilst a 23 year-old from Kent obligingly noted how he had bought a second-hand scooter for £30.

Shocking stuff eh? The pavements of Britain will soon be terrorised by hordes of hard-up and/or lazy folk abusing mobility scooters. But just what is this premise based on? Hard evidence? Extensive research? No, the anecdotal experience of sole MP and one young man who seems to have picked up a rare bargain for a laugh. Does this really add up to a trend? Ask yourself this: have you ever heard of an able-bodied person buying a mobility scooter to save cash on a car?

Like us you’ll no doubt answer in the negative. As one of the UK’s leading mobility scooter insurance specialists we just don’t see this as an issue.

It would be easy to dismiss this non-story were it not for the power that we’ve seen the media is able to exert over policy. Will we now see calls for the use of mobility scooters to be restricted? How would that work? How would you determine who has and has not a mobility issue? Can you imagine civil or police enforcement officers stopping users to demand proof that, say, they suffer from asthma?

It’s a serious point. We’ve already just seen a consultation and Department of Transport response to possible reform of mobility scooter and powered wheelchair regulations which appears to have arisen from scare stories about accidents. Don’t get us wrong, we cannot and should not dismiss the physical, emotional and financial cost that mobility scooter accidents can cause, but equally we should not over-react. Naturally, precisely because of those costs, we make a strong argument that people should take out mobility scooter insurance. Indeed we go further and argue people should compare mobility scooter insurance quotes to ensure not simply that they’re getting the cheapest deal but cover which provides appropriate protection to them and other pavement and highway users.

Thankfully the Department of Transport has responded with due care, proposing only relatively small and sensible tweaks to the existing regulatory regime. Perhaps the greatest achievement of that consultation was to stimulate official debate about replacing the dated and many would say derogatory use of “invalid carriage” as the legal term used to define mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs.

Ironically this latest sensationalist reporting follows hot on the heels of a Mail story mocking what turned out to be rather useful official advice on using mobility scooters (see our previous blog). It seems, then, that on the subject of mobility scooters, their users and the government just can’t win. Still, it no doubt sells newspapers!

* Looking for a great value mobility insurance quotation? Click here or call 0800 088 3047 for details of Fish’s specialist cover for both mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs which includes accidental damage, theft, vandalism and up to £2m public liability insurance.

Take cover!
In late 2010 Foreign Office research revealed that 15% of all travellers failed to take out travel insurance, a number which rose to a third when it came to visiting friends or family. Anecdotal evidence suggests many disabled travellers are among those failing to take cover with difficulties in securing affordable or appropriate disabled travel insurance cited. Helen Dolphin, director of policy and campaigns at Disabled Motoring shared her own experience, reporting: “I have always found getting travel insurance a headache. It’s so complicated and off putting. When you’re trying to get a quote they want to know all about your problems and make the whole process an uncomfortable experience.” Thankfully she saw her issues being addressed when welcoming the launch last year of Fish’s specialist disabled travel insurance policy: “I like that the policy is geared up to meeting disabled people’s needs, that it makes things easier and that it’s available online so you need not be giving personal details to someone over the ‘phone unless you want to.”

That’s good news because journeying abroad without decent travel insurance can expose you to potentially huge bills. As a warning the Foreign Office has published figures which, for example, show the cost of an air ambulance for America’s East Coast coming in it at £35-40,000. Ouch.

Take your medicine

More than that help airport security by taking your medicine in the packaging and labelling your pharmacists supplied it. If you need carry hypodermic needles or similar sharp objects for obvious reasons in these security conscious times, make sure you have a doctor’s note. The same is true if you need manage pain or a condition using a controlled drug such as morphine. Finally make sure your travel insurance cover you for the emergency replacement of prescription medicines.

Take care when booking

It goes without saying that if you have specialist needs then you’ll need take extra care when making your travel and accommodation arrangements. If booking direct make sure you document those needs (eg. wheelchair access, an extra legroom seat, sign language assistance etc.) and that you get in writing details of how they will be met – if you’ve agreed a ground floor room you don’t want to turn up on the 44^th floor. If you’re in any way nervous about handling things yourself then seek out one of a number of tour operators such as Accessible Travel who provide specialist services to disabled people.

Take a seat

If you’re a wheelchair user check with your airline what their policy is. Whilst all airlines must, legally, carry disability equipment without charge, their policies differ with some letting you travel in your own chair and others requiring it be stowed in the hold whilst you fly in their own wheelchair.

Take advice

Before you travel make sure you know your rights. For example airports are legally obliged to provide disabled travellers (or “persons with reduced mobility” as the legal definition has it) and airlines and tour operators have a duty to provide information that is accessible to customers (such as in large print or audio formats)). A great resource for air travellers is the Equality and Human Right’s Commission’s Your Rights to Fly publication. This “step-by-step guide for disabled and less mobile passengers” can be downloaded for free by clicking here. It’s also worth checking out specialist websites and forums for tips such as www.disabledtravelguide.co.uk .

* If you’d like to compare disabled travel insurance offered by Fish by getting a quote, then simply click here or call our specialist team on 0800 088 3275.

If you’re shopping around for the best

• Don’t rely on price comparison sites.  They’re easy aren’t they?  Just input your details and, et voila, the cheapest quote pops up? If you’re a disabled driver not necessarily so. Price comparison sites are designed for the mainstream and, to be fair, are good at serving your average driver. But if you fall outside their mass-market comfort zone you can fall out of favour. For example, adaptations such as hand controls may see your car lumped in with other modified vehicles – including ‘pimped rides’ – and that can bump up cost. Make sure to include at least one disabled car insurance specialist on your shopping list. Beware too that some price comparison sites may be unable to provide a quote to you as a disabled driver – they may decline or refer you to a specialist provider such as Fish.
• Check that the cover offered meets your needs. It’s all very well looking for cheap disabled car insurance but, as the old saying goes, cheap ain’t necessarily cheerful. Look beyond the price and make sure that the policy you’re being offered is suitable. If your car is stolen or written off, will your policy cover essential adaptations that you’ve made to accommodate your disability? Many standard car policies won’t, relying instead on settlements based on standard list prices less depreciation – leaving you well out of pocket.
• If in doubt, get it in writing. If you’ve discussed something – say the level of cover for a wheelchair adaption – and have any doubts at all, ask your insurance provider top put it in writing. This should not be a problem and will provide reassurance to both parties that your contract is properly understood.

• Make sure you’re comparing like with like.  Don’t be tempted simply to accept the cheapest quote without checking first that you’re comparing like-for like. That includes the more obvious such as your adaptations and mobility aids being covered and that you’ll receive a courtesy car or mobility allowance following the loss or damage to your vehicle. But it also includes the less obvious. Some insurers reduce premiums by increasing your excess – the amount you must pay towards any claim you make. Now you might be happy to risk a higher excess in return for an upfront saving– but make sure you’re aware of that risk.
• Know your rights. Be aware of important consumer rights. For example, the sale of motor car insurance is regulated by a statutory 14 day “cooling off” period. So, once you receive your policy read it carefully and check it’s offering what you wanted it to.  If you are unhappy you can ask for a refund. Beware though too that your provider can charge an administration fee – so it’s best to be certain before you buy.

* Want to see how Fish’s disabled car insurance compares? Click here for more details or to get a quote as a disabled driver or Blue Badge holder. Our cover is designed specifically to suit your needs and includes extensive breakdown and accident recovery insurance, including home start services.

STOP PRESS!!

Since we published this blog consumer watchdog Which? has released damning research covering the “tick box” practices of price comparison sites and called for them to be regulated. The association claims that sites can issues misleading quotes, did not cover as much of the car insurance market as their marketing inferred and that rather than saving money some people could in fact end up spending more. The BBC has reported that the insurance industry regulator, the Financial Services Authority, shared some of Which?’s concerns. The Daily Mail quoted Which’s executive director Richard Lloyd warning that: ‘Price comparison sites claim to do all of the work for you, but our research found if you want to get the best deal you still need to shop around or it could cost you hundreds of pounds.

‘Going to the insurer directly may also give you a better quote. We want to see tougher regulation and monitoring of price comparison sites to make sure they treat customers fairly and transparently.’

Criticising the “tick box” approach the Mail also warned it “can also lead to basic ‘one size fits all’ policies that could be unsuitable for individual needs or even prove invalid in the event of a claim.”
This new research further highlights the dangers of relying on price comparison sites websites and of the need to shop around and make sure that your disabled car insurance offers not just good value but cover that meets your specific needs and circumstances.

Now in his 60s Bob recently told financial website This Is Money that having a pre existing medical condition was a significant obstacle to securing travel health insurance.

As a tireless fundraiser for cancer research Bob travels extensively but found difficulty getting insured. He explained: ‘Having just returned from a trip, I called up my insurers to renew my policy only to be declined. Their underwriting criteria had changed, and I was no longer “insurable.”

Bob’s experience echoes that of many people with a range of pre-existing medical conditions who may struggle to get affordable holiday insurance cover. Cancers are just one of a wide range of conditions which can cause insurers to blink, among them various cardiac ailments (heart attacks, angina, heart disease), diabetes, epilepsy and strokes.

Remember Bob won a physically gruelling steeplechase, jumping 30 fences, soon after being diagnosed with his medical condition. Yet over 30 years after his Grand National triumph he’s still reporting on the issues his cancer diagnosis raises with travel insurance firms.

It’s precisely because of the bad experiences suffered by Bob and so many other travellers – particularly those aged over 65 – that Fish decided to launch specialist travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions. We saw not just that people were having difficulties secure affordable holiday insurance, or getting it at all, but that often they did not receive the sympathetic and personal service that they deserved.

Having specialised in satisfying the specific insurance needs of disabled people – many medical conditions can result in disability – since 1976, we knew we could do things better. Step one was to design a policy which provided genuinely effective cover. So we considered the kinds of issues people might face. The obvious starting point was simply to ensure we could cover pre-existing medical conditions – but we wanted to do more. This led to less obvious policy benefits such as providing protection if you needed to replace a carer who was travelling with you, or supplying funds for the emergency prescription medication you use to manage your medical condition.

We also looked at how people were treated by insurance companies. We felt many people were not being treated with respect and empathy when looking for a quote. This, we concluded, meant that they were less likely to compare travel insurance with pre existing medical conditions and get the cheapest price. Worse we thought it might deter them from getting holiday insurance at all, leaving themselves exposed to potentially ruinous bills.

Because we are a specialist company we were, of course, much better placed than many to offer empathetic service. Our advisors are both trained and experienced in dealing sensitively with customers who, to get travel insurance, need talk about their medical histories. But even with the reassurance that service can provide we recognised that some people might prefer not to talk but click. This is why you can get a quote for and buy our travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions  online.

* For more information or a quote click here or call 0800 088 3275.

* Bob Champion MBE founded the Bob Champion Cancer Trust which funds research into cancer and supports cancer patients. To make a donation visit www.bobchampion.org.uk

, reports on a taxi ride from hell on a recent trip to Lanzarote.

After months of cold damp weather I felt in need of a bit of sunshine so decided to fly to Lanzarote for a week’s holiday. Now you may think flying Ryanair I was asking for trouble but, to be fair, on all the flights I’ve taken will them I got exactly what I paid for – a flight. I’ve not had any trouble getting assistance or having a lift on and off the aeroplane and my wheelchair has always arrived intact. I did on one particular flight look out of the window and see an elderly chap being helped into my wheelchair but intervention from the crew ensured he was quickly stopped before disappearing for good in the baggage lounge.

So after an uneventful flight my husband and I made our way to the taxi rank to get a taxi. In some ways the UK could learn a lot from how taxi ranks are run in Lanzarote. There is a mixed fleet of wheelchair accessible and standard cars and wheelchair users are waved to the front of the queue to take the next available wheelchair accessible taxi. Everybody else just takes what comes. So after waiting for a few minutes I was loaded into the back of the taxi. The taxi driver was able to lower the back of the cab so he didn’t even bother with ramps to get me in. He also didn’t put any straps on to hold the wheelchair in place. Our rather large bag was then put in behind me.

We then rode for above 12 miles along the roads of Lanzarote where I had a good opportunity to admire the rugged volcanic landscape. I could hear a lot of air noise in the taxi but I just presumed it was because the taxi driver had his window open. However, as we approached the resort the boot of the vehicle opened and I had to grab hold of my husband to stop myself from falling out onto the road. Our big bag of luggage also helped to keep me in. Fortunately by this time I had alerted the driver who slowed down but still continued on his journey with me holding onto my husband for dear life. I cannot imagine a UK cab driver finishing his journey with the boot undone. It was only a few 100 metres to go but even so I was pretty shocked by the experience. If the boot had opened earlier when we were going considerably faster I dread to think what the consequences would have been.

So although I think the mixed taxi fleet arrangement is a good example for the UK to follow, I wouldn’t swap our considerably higher safety standards for anything.

What if Helen’s luggage had been lost or damaged – or worse had happened? Thankfully she enjoyed the reassurance provided by Fish’s specialist disabled travel insurance policy. This has been designed specifically to protect disabled travellers and people with pre-existing medical conditions. Click here or call 0800 088 3275 for more details.

Whilst some may gently mock, official guidance on using mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs on the road is actually well worth a read.

Last week the Daily Mail ran a story on the Department of Transport’s newly published booklet, Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs on the road – some guidance for users. The paper had some lighthearted jibes at the advice, the overall theme seemingly being that it stated the obvious and, worse, was patronising.

It was perhaps a little unfair as much of the points criticised were in fact lifted from the Highway Code – that is they are directed at all road users.

In fact this free booklet, which you can download here, provides a pretty sensible overview of good practice and the law when it comes to riding mobility scooters on both pavements and roads. Whilst it’s clearly targeted at mobility scooter users, other road and pavement users could also learn from it. For example, it details the three different classes of mobility vehicle (manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs or scooters with a speed limit of 4mph and powered wheelchairs or scooters with a speed limit of 8mph) and the laws and regulations which apply to them. I wonder how many average newspaper readers are aware that non-disabled people are not legally able to use mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs in public unless demonstrating them for sale? Very few.

For obvious reasons it focuses on Class 2 and 3 vehicles, not manual wheelchairs. It talks through a wide range of issues including where you can use a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, using public transport, DVLA registration requirements, the design features which vehicles must incorporate and some excellent advice on how to choose the best mobility scooter for you.

We were naturally also pleased to see the Department of Transport making no bones about its desire that mobility scooter owners take out appropriate insurance. The booklet notes uncompromisingly that “it is strongly advised that people take out insurance to cover personal safety, other people’s safety and the value of the vehicle.” It’s good advice because it now seems rarely a week goes by without some sort of incident involving a mobility scooter being reported. These can be costly, emotionally, physically and financially, especially when cases end up in the criminal or civil courts. Ironically, the latest incident to be spotted by our news radar involved a mobility scooter user who one imagines to be blissfully unaware of this handy new booklet: a hit-and-run rider who knocked over a 90 year-old woman. You can read this story, here in the Mail!

* Want to protect yourself and other road and pavement users? Fish offers affordable mobility scooter insurance from just £75. This protects against theft and accidental damage with other benefits including up to £2 million cover against personal injury and liability for personal attendants, replacement vehicle hire allowance, use by any rider and recovery costs to get you and your mobility scooter safely home. For details or to buy click here.

The premise was not a bad one. The programme swiftly identified that off road scooters cost a pretty penny. Clarkson identified the challenge: “Could we build an off road mobility scooter that doesn’t cost a fortune?” And so Jeremy, James and Richard duly built their own bespoke off road machines based upon standard mobility scooters and put them to the test. This firstly saw them clumsily navigating an urban environment and later in a race up Snowdon against three injured serviceman riding off-the-shelf off-road mobility scooters.

It was typical Top Gear, a little but irresponsible but, for many, quite a bit of fun.

Here at Fish Insurance whilst we love a bit of fun, we’re even more enamoured with responsibility. Hopefully then you’ll forgive us for perhaps sounding a little po-faced when we invoke the old TV warning: please don’t try this at home!

Were you to modify your own mobility scooter you might well cause yourself a headache or two. Firstly, you’d run the risk of invalidating your manufacturer’s warranty. More worrying, you could invalidate your insurance. Have an accident for which a modification could be seen to contribute and then you may well end up having to settle any compensation claims out of your own pocket.

Our advice is that if you want to modify, take your scooter to a specialist, a professional with a proven track record for adaptations. Make sure that anything you have done to your machine does not breach the mobility scooter regulations. And make sure you tell your insurer.

Mind you, if you want to go off road, perhaps the best lesson does come from Top Gear. Who won that cross-country race? Not three professional buffoons on their modified mean machines but those servicemen riding scooters specifically designed for off road use. There’s a lesson there.

And on that bombshell…….

* For details of, or to, buy Fish Insurance’s mobility scooter insurance, click here

Hospital appointments and stays are often part of life for disabled people using personal assistants. Users frequently need support from PAs in getting to, and when staying in, hospital. But there are specific laws covering the provision of personal care within hospitals but these are often not made clear.

The current regulatory position surrounding the relationship between social and health care is that at once you are admitted hospital, in theory Social Services hands over full responsibility to the hospital until you are discharged.. This is further reinforced by the hospital’s responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act. In are not that simple and difficulties can arise which affect continuity of care.

We use hospitals in three different ways, each having a different impact on the use of PAs and the relationship with a hospital.

Appointments

For appointments the user has planned a visit lasting no more than a few hours. Ignoring the theory, the practice will see the PA supporting a user as for any appointment with any organisation. Hospitals are unlikely to interfere with arrangements, seeing them as the same as family or friends supporting a patient Social service departments are unlikely to need to be informed unless extra support is required after discharge.

Planned Admissions

When a patient requires day surgery or a stay in hospital normally they would only be permitted to have visitors during specific hours as it is assumed the hospital will look after all their needs. It could be argued that, depending on the specific support required, PAs are not visitors but part of the required support. While for insurance and other reasons, they may not be permitted to assist with personal care duties, there may be social and general living tasks they can perform. These might include helping communication with hospital staff or in socialising with other patients. This is likely to depend on facilities for patients and the ward.

The pre-op assessment is the best opportunity for users to discuss their support needs and to agree the role of their staff during their stay. It can often be good to have essential information prepared, sometimes called a ‘communication passport’ which can detail for hospital personnel information about a user’s medication, next of kin and their relationship with their staff. For direct payment users social services will not often need be involved, with short stays deemed a normal part of life and admission and support needs arranged without outside interference.

Unplanned visits

Typically these involve emergency care after an accident or immediate health concern. While with a planned visit, users may be able arrange for the capable and/or reliable staff to accompany them, in emergencies they may have little choice. If a staff member is relatively new managing them in a new and stressful situation may be harder. It’s also possible that no support staff are available it’s important to consider the additional difficulties this could present..

Hospital staff may also be not fully aware of the PAs role as there was no previous discussion.  This can lead to misunderstandings and communication breakdowns. It is also tempting for over-stretched hospital staff to ask and rely on user’s own staff to do personal care tasks – because “that’s what they are paid for” – without realising the legal and insurance implications. Users and personal assistants must be empowered to say no and explain the role without having a showdown with matron!

The most difficult way to visit hospital is an unplanned admission after a serious accident or a quick onset of a illness. The main thing to understand is that the length of stay is unknown often until the last moment and the needs of a user after discharge may be different and uncertain. While the user may be seriously ill they are still responsible for their staff. They need to be kept informed and paid on time. While users are in hospital, things like laundry and opening post, still need to be done at home. Users  will need to balance the support they need in hospital and at their home. This is no mean feat and will require patience and understanding from the hospital, users and staff alike.

Since the support someone needs after discharge may be different or, in worst case scenarios, their stay is likely to be more than four weeks, they need inform their social services departments, who will have differing policies in this matter. The longer users are in hospital the more likely their benefits and funding are going to be affected. The key to minimising disruption for all is good communication.

A final point to consider is the impact on support staff after discharge. Even if a user’s long term needs are not altered, additional or different support may be required in the short term This might involve tasks any patient would normally be expected to be able to do for themselves, or with the assistance of family and friends, while others may need specialist medical expertise. It may be reasonable to ask PAs to do the former, but not the latter. It is therefore important this is raised at discharge so that, say, district nurses can be provided. It is useful for users to have this discussion before they are discharged to avoid later difficulties as staff rightly refuse to do tasks which users believed they would perform.

Planning ahead

When inducting PAs users should discuss their needs in the event that they require hospital treatment and how they may their own responsibilities to their staff when temporarily incapable. It is also worth discussing concerns at relevant support assessments.

Hospitals should be treated as a friend not a foe. The more they know, the more they can accommodate a user’s needs. Time is often a scarce resource in hospitals, especially in emergencies, and so the more preparation the better. If users are prone to unplanned admissions, they may want to consider having a bag packed ready, especially if they have periods on their own. It is also important staff know what to do in such emergencies and that they can trust users to communicate effectively with them.

Going to hospital is a part of life most people do not think about. But those that use support staff must – and be more prepared, especially in terms of managing their staff. Planning will make the experience less stressful.

* Remember if you have Fish’s full cover Independent Living Insurance policy you can access expert advice on employment and human resource issues around the clock. For more details on the benefits of this pioneering insurance policy for people using direct payments and personal budgets click here.

Helen Dolphin

Helen Dolphin, Director of Campaigns and Policy at Disabled Motoring UK, reports on new revisions to the Motability scheme for disabled drivers.

When the changes to the Motability scheme were first announced in December I, like many disabled drivers, was left wondering if this was a scheme that would still work for me. The changes that affected me were the fact that the advanced payment (AP) was now capped at £2,000 and a nominated driver had to live within five miles.

Having to drive with hand controls I have no choice but to have an automatic and although I have squeezed myself, my wheelchair and my assistance dog into a BMW 1 series I was kind of hoping for a bit more space next time I chose a vehicle. Working full time and driving a lot for my job I like to have a car which I feel comfortable driving and one that takes diesel. Put automatic, diesel and large together and the choice of car on the Motability scheme is rather limited (at least it was).

I was also worried to see that the nominated driver had to live within five miles as when I attend limb appointments 200 miles away I pick my mum up on the way so we can share the driving. She lives 60 miles away from me so would have no longer been able to help.

Not being able to choose the car I wanted and not being able to have my mum on the insurance I was beginning to think I would have to leave the scheme, but much to my surprise and delight several weeks later these policy changes were clarified.

Now cars are back on the scheme with AP’s greater than £2,000 to encompass more automatics and estates and the nominated driver rule has been changed so for a period of 30 days you can add anyone onto your insurance however far away they live.

Motability say they will also look at individual requests on a case by case basis so do approach them with your requirements. If you still can’t get the car you want then do remember that you may be able to buy your car VAT free if you are a wheelchair or stretcher user. Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) produces a booklet to help you with this if you decide to go down this route.

* Will these changes make you steer clear of Motability?  If you decide to follow your own route, don’t forget you can benefit from Fish’s specialist Disabled Car Insurance. Designed specifically for disabled drivers and users of wheelchair adapted vehicles (WAVs) it includes cover to protect modifications, wheelchairs in transit, mobility allowance (or suitable courtesy car) and free extension for personal assistants (PAs). Call 0800 088 3050 for a no obligation quote.

* Membership of Disabled Motoring UK costs £20 annually with benefits including penalty charge appeal advice, a monthly magazine, and travel and motoring discounts.