Drive a WAV? Are you sufficiently covered?
Finding insurance cover for a wheelchair-adapted vehicle (WAV) can sometimes be a minefield. At Fish Insurance, we aim to make our insurance cover as clear, transparent, and easy to understand as possible for you. We know that some people may not fully understand what they’re covered for, so to help, we’ve put together some information to think about when comparing your WAV insurance.
Are you asking the right questions?
When you shop around for WAV insurance, it’s important to ask the right questions to the providers to ensure that the policy covers your needs. Don’t be afraid to ask, there should be someone on hand to help you.
Here are some reasons why this is important:
Different insurance policies may have different coverage:
Insurance policies can vary widely, and they won’t all cover the same things. For example, some policies may cover damage to your disability modifications, such as a ramp, but you may find the policy doesn’t cover the total value of their replacement, so you need to consider what items are most important to you and check how the policy meets your needs.
Your WAV may have unique features:
Depending on how your vehicle has been adapted, it may have unique features which may require special cover. For example, if your vehicle has a hoist, transfer plates, swivel chairs or hand controls, you may need to ensure that these features are covered, otherwise, in the event of damage or loss, your policy may not cover you and you may lose out when claiming.
You may have specific medical needs:
If you have a disability, you may have specific medical equipment needs that require cover, for example, a powered wheelchair or other valuable equipment. If these were damaged, you may need cover for repairs or replacement if such an event occurred.
If things go wrong, you may need an adapted courtesy car:
If your WAV needs a repair after an accident, a standard motor insurance policy may only provide a standard courtesy car and adaptations that are essential to keep you mobile, would not be available to you during this time. It’s wise to check that your policy provides a suitably adapted courtesy car in the event of an accident.
The consequences of being underinsured can be serious:
Underinsurance means that, in the event of a claim, the total value insured (often called the “sums insured”) does not sufficiently cover the cost to replace those items in full, such as your vehicle.
If you don’t have enough coverage, you may end up out of pocket for expensive repairs and replacements. So before buying your insurance policy, have a think about what value your items should be insured for, and ensure your policy covers a like for like replacement and the full amount is covered. For example, you purchase your vehicle for £10,000 and therefore you may wish to ensure that you would receive that value back in the event of a “total loss” claim. Some polices will cover the market value at the time of the incident and you may get back less than the vehicle’s original value or the amount you would have been expecting.
What are the right questions?
In summary here are some key questions to ask any potential insurer to ensure you get the cover you need…
- What value is the vehicle being insured for?
- Does the policy cover modifications which have been added to the vehicle?
- Does this value cover the cost of the modifications being replaced/repaired?
- What happens if I am involved in an accident? Will you get a replacement WAV courtesy vehicle?
- If my modifications are damaged, will they get the items repaired?
Why should you consider a specialist insurance broker?
A specialist insurance broker can be vital when getting a quote for WAV vehicles for several reasons.
Knowledge of the market for disabled vehicle insurance :
A specialist insurance broker will have a good understanding of the market, be familiar with the different modifications made to vehicles to accommodate disabilities and have a good understanding of the specific risks associated with insuring them.
Access to specialist insurers:
Specialist brokers should have access to policies tailored to individuals with WAV vehicle needs and be more likely to understand the risks associated with WAV vehicles and be able to offer policies that provide cover for such risks.
Customised Policies:
A specialist broker will be able to tailor the policy to your individual needs, such as cover for specialist equipment, mobility aids and modifications. This ensures that you’ll have a level of coverage suited to your personal needs.
Assistance with Claims:
If a claim needs to be made, a specialist insurance broker may be able to assist with the claims process, helping to make the claims process as smooth as possible.
In summary
Overall, a specialist insurance broker can provide valuable expertise and assistance. They’ll help you to ensure that you’ve got the right level of coverage. They’ll also help to make sure you’re adequately protected in case of an accident or other events.
