Car insurance

Do I have to tell my car insurers that I have been diagnosed with AF? Anyone know?

[BobD Volunteer]

It would be risky not to. Insurance companies will sometimes do anything to avoid a claim and if you have not advised them then you could risk invalidating your cover. It should not affect your premium.

You should also consider how if at all it affects your driving as you may need to inform DVLA in UK.. especially is you are HGV or PSV driver.

[doodle68 in reply to BobD]

Hi Maddy I told them straight away and had to fill in a form.

I was so worried about telling them because I live miles from anywhere and would be lost without a car (not quite as lost as I thought I might be since lockdown ) .

I received a a letter back saying I could drive under the stated circumstances but must inform them if they changed .

I also told my car insurance company, they were not interested.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Ha! HGV! No.

It is not listed as an illness which is necessary to notify DVLA (who are snowed under and with a precious health incident I discovered it is very hard to retrieve your licence once you give it to them) but a pacemaker is. My AF has no impact on my driving. I will tell car insurance though.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Actually it is and comes under arrhythmias. You only normally need to advise DVLA, however, if it is distracting or causes incapacity in which case form H1 needs to be completed. Since any advisable condition need to be reported to insurance companies it is always best to err on the side of caution. Oddly enough on an very early page on the website under medical matters it mentions atrial fibrillation as an example of a heart condition that does need to be advised yet then fails to give any further details. I suspect things change from time to time so best stay alert.

[Apple88]

I will read the replies with interest here. My car insurance is up for renewal now and I’ve never said anything to them about it.

Maybe I should, although it hasn’t ever affected my ability to drive.

[Hidden in reply to Apple88]

See my reply above. I will tell mine, I have decided. Better not to let them have any reason to question my cover in the future.

[Hidden]

I would say let them know.

My insurance told me it didn’t affect my policy but I had to inform the dvla as AF is a notifiable medical condition. Because I suffer lightheadedness/ dizzy spells with mine and had been admitted to hospital within the previous 12 months I had to surrender my licence and can reapply when I’ve had 12 months of no symptoms. I’m still waiting for that day to come

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I have heard DVLA impossibly behind at the moment. My AF would not affect me driving. Ugh

[Becksagogo]

I notified DVLA on the recommendation of my Consultant. They were happy for me to continue to drive.

I also notified my insurer who wasn't that bothered but I felt it best to cover all eventualities.