Daughter is T1, DX 1/29/11.
She just reached the age where she can start driver's education.
I've heard horror stories about trying to get covered as a driver with T1, although I haven't yet started to investigate. Perhaps this is just a rumor?
Anyone have any tips, suggestions, feedback on this?
Any carriers known to be more "T1 Friendly"?
Thanks!
I have been in the insurance business for over 20 years and have never encountered this. I know that it can sometimes be an issue for the local DMV, depending on how you answer questions on the application for a license.
At least here in California, you can only be rated on where you live, how many miles a year you drive, and how many years of driving experience you have.
Our endo spent a lot of time on this subject with my older son, and impressed upon him the importance of testing before getting behind the wheel. Good luck, my son just got his permit and it's been quite interesting!
What I've heard is that you need a "restricted license" if you have diabetes, and it's the "restricted" that puts you into a "high risk" category... and subsequently much higher rates.
I'm in Michigan, probably with it's own unique set of restrictions.
Again... I don't have the details, and I'm just starting out. I'm worried about calling my agent to ask questions, and suddenly opening an expensive can of worms.
I wouldn't bother calling your agent at this point, you may not get a completely correct answer. I would check with the motor vehicle department to see what the story is. I noticed on their website that if there are "certain medical conditions" that a restricted license may be issued. I would find out exactly what those are.
I know here in California, parents have had horrible experiences getting their T1 kids a license, depending on the answer to the question on the application "have you ever lost consciousness due to a medical condition" (or something like that. Some parents feel the need to explain that this possibility exists with a T1 - since my son has never actually passed out, we answered no and it has been smooth sailing (so far).
Good luck!
Impress upon your daughter the need to carefully monitor her diabetes. Test test test to avoid those lows especially. Until the forms specificly asks whether or not you have diabetes say "no" to the "unconsciousness" question. If you say "yes", you will probably be asked for a note from your doctor stating that her diabetes is well controlled.
https://forum.tudiabetes.org/topics/did-i-make-a-mistake?xg_source=activity
Hi, that's a link to a discussion about getting a driver's license as a T1 and it has a link to a page on the ADA site with info about laws by state. For instance, I'm in KY & it says my daughter will have to get a form signed by her doctor. MI_Dad, my daughter was diagnosed last November & will turn 16 in July 2012. I haven't checked the insurance requirements yet. I know she can still get a discount for being a good student & there used to be a discount for being a girl? I told Samantha I read the above discussion, so we may want to get started a little early on her license paperwork, because she wants to get it on her birthday! Oh--in KY, there's also a discount for taking a driver's ed course.
Fortunately, she can truthfully say she has never been unconscious! :-)
And she really does have it under control... the last a1c was 5.9. She currently tests 6-8 times a day.
I'm just worried about a blanket treatment from the insurance company. In a sense, it's the same trouble that T1 people have when trying to get life insurance.
Great points about the "unconscious" question... I would not have known about that. I'll be sure to enlighten her about the potential questions.
Unfortunately her driving instructor is not so sharp... he hasn't said anything about this stuff to her. She learned about the restricted license in her reading.
Sorry to dig up an old post, but can anyone confirm if this is still true about the insurance rating process in California?
Thanks,
Ned