car insurance do you need to inform them you have RA

Hi all i was diagnosed in Sept 2012 with Ra , do i need to inform my car insurance that i have it and does it effect your policy in any way any advice i would be extremely grateful x

[helixhelix]

There isn't a very clear cut answer to that. You're supposed to inform the insurance company of anything that affects your ability to drive, so it really depends on what meds you take and how you're affected pysically eg re turning head and so on. The safest thing is to tell them, as if you do have an accident (fingers crossed that you don't of course) and it comes out that you have an medical condition it could invalidate your insurance. But that does of course risk the cost of your insurance going up! So a bit of an individual decision. Personally I haven't bothered.....Polly

[Hidden]

lol it is a hard one to answer i know but thanks poly for your in put i will take it on board x

[Philip]

It depends on how your illness affects you when you are driving, if it doesn't get in he way, you need to say anything.

If it does cause problems and you really want to give up driving say , forever then tell them lol.

Or another way,,,,,,,, just stop driving and tell no one and then when you feel well again you can get your keys and drive. Again

Easy really,

Philip

[earthwitch]

If they ask you, then yes. If it affects your ability to drive, then yes. If your GP isn't happy with you driving then definitely yes (though that would usually mean them informing DVLA too, and you possibly having to do an additional test to confirm you are safe to drive).

With RA (or any arthritis for that matter) the main problem would be things like ability to turn your neck, or perhaps if you have bad foot or knee or hip problems if you couldn't get your foot on the brake quick enough for an emergency stop. Also if you were taking sufficient pain meds to make your reaction times a bit slow.

Just out of interest my GP asked if my driving was affected the other day! I said that I had a bit of problem changing gear (sore wrist) and would definitely find it easier if I had an automatic car, and also I have some nerve damage into my legs that means I can't feel exactly how hard I am pressing down on the pedals, but that doesn't affect the brake or accelerator (because I can tell by the response of the car what is happening) and only means that occasionally I crunch the gears a bit (clutch foot). My reactions are fine though. GP was quite happy with me continuing driving, but then I do live in a very small rural community, with little traffic. The biggest problem I have with my car is getting in and out of it!

I'm definitely going to be looking out for an automatic car that is easier to get in and out of in the next year or so.

There are some medical conditions where you are obliged to inform DVLA and insurance. I think MS is one of them, but I am pretty sure RA isn't.

[Hidden in reply to earthwitch]

thank you you have been extremely helpful, i spoke with a representative from AA and they said as long as the doctors have no concerns about me driving and my response is not effected in any way they were happy and did not need to change anything . I have thought an automatic would be better as it takes the pressure off having to hold the clutch when waiting in ques and also changing gear no pressure on the wrists as you said. many thanks lovely to hear from you.xx

[mistymeana]

Was told by the OT recently that if you wear wrist splints for driving you have to inform the DVLA. Would never have crossed my mind to so thought I'd better just chuck that one into the mix x

[Hidden]

It's a bit worrying really given that insurance companies will look for any excuse not to pay out. Interested to hear about the advice the AA gave you - I think I will ask my Rheumy if he has any concerns - I don't think he will & hopefully, if it came to it, he'd be able to confirm that he'd given me the all clear to an insurance company.

I'm also wondering whether it is actually worth telling the DVLA about wrist splints - it all depends on their reaction ..... x

[samjam]

Hope this helps:

gov.uk/health-conditions-an...

Arthritis and driving

You only need to tell DVLA if you have arthritis and you use special controls for driving.

[selina in reply to samjam]

thanks for putting the link on the site. Should put an end to confusion x