Telling your insurers

How OSA Affects Your Driving Insurance

While many are aware that the DVLA should be informed about the presence of OSA, informing insurance companies seems to be largely overlooked. However, it is also very important and failure to do so could invalidate your insurance. Do not fear though – informing your insurance company should make no difference to your cover or your premium. The letter below from Stephen Sklaroff, Deputy Director General for ABI, clarifies the stance of insurance companies on OSA. It was written to the Scottish Association for Sleep Apnoea, who have gone to great lengths to seek clarity on such matters.

“Motor insurers are required by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to justify any different treatment of customers with medical conditions using actuarial data, medical research information or medical reports about the individual. In practice, most motor insurers adopt the approach that, provided the condition has been notified to DVLA, and DVLA are satisfied that the person concerned is fit to hold a license, then the customer would be treated no differently to a customer who does not have the condition.

 “If any of your members believe that they are being unfairly discriminated against, I suggest that they take the matter up at senior level with the insurer concerned. I am sure that this will resolve any difficulties.

“It is important, however that customers disclose their medical condition to their insurer. Anyone failing to do so may find that their insurance cover is invalid.

“I hope that the above information makes the position of insurers clear and will help those who do have problems with motor insurance to resolve them. We have produced a guide to the Act which I hope will assist you and your members. It can be downloaded free of charge from here.”

 This letter clarifies the position of insurers, and makes it clear that not informing your insurer of your condition can invalidate your cover. However, informing them should have no negative consequences, and that if you are treated differently as a result then they are breaking the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.  If the DVLA consider you fit to drive and hold a licence, then informing your insurer about your OSA should simply be a formality.

ABI are the Association of British Insurers, and their members include almost all major insurers in the UK, along with many smaller companies. You can find their website here.

The Scottish Association for Sleep Apnoea were responsible for getting this previously grey area clarified. You can find their website here. If you would like to download the original letter in PDF format, you can find it on their website.