WAV Insurance Explained
Insurance is one of the most overlooked parts of buying a wheelchair accessible vehicle, right up until it's time to arrange cover and the questions start piling up. WAVs aren't standard cars, and insuring one properly means understanding a few things that don't apply to a typical policy. Here's what you need to know.
Why WAV Insurance Is Different
A wheelchair accessible vehicle isn't just a car — it's a car plus a conversion, and often plus a wheelchair, ramp or lift mechanism, and additional equipment such as swivel seats or hand controls. Standard car insurance policies are built around standard vehicles, and many mainstream insurers either don't understand WAV conversions or won't cover the conversion's value at all.
This matters because if your vehicle is written off or stolen, a policy that only covers the base vehicle's value could leave you seriously out of pocket on the cost of the conversion itself.
What a Good WAV Policy Should Cover
When you're arranging insurance, make sure your policy explicitly covers:
- The full conversion value – not just the base vehicle, but the ramp, lift, lowered floor, and any other adaptations.
- The wheelchair itself, if it's kept in the vehicle or transported regularly. Some policies cover this as standard; others require it to be added separately.
- Passenger liability for wheelchair users and carers, including cover while the passenger is being loaded or unloaded, not just while the vehicle is moving.
- Windscreen and glass cover, particularly important given the larger glazed areas on many WAV conversions.
- Courtesy vehicle provision – and specifically, whether any courtesy vehicle offered would also be wheelchair accessible. A standard courtesy car is no use if you can't get into it.
Factors That Affect Your Premium
Several things influence how much you'll pay to insure a WAV:
- Type of conversion – lift systems can sometimes cost more to insure than ramp systems, owing to the additional mechanical and electrical components involved.
- Value of the vehicle and conversion combined, rather than just the base vehicle's list price.
- Who will be driving – whether it's the wheelchair user, a family member, or a carer, and how many named drivers are on the policy.
- Annual mileage and usage, including whether the vehicle is used for personal transport, care work, or voluntary driving.
- Security features, such as alarms, immobilisers, and secure parking, which can help reduce premiums.
- No claims history, which typically carries across from previous policies in the usual way.
Comprehensive vs Third-Party Cover
As with any vehicle, you'll usually be choosing between comprehensive and third-party, fire and theft cover. For a WAV, comprehensive is almost always the sensible option. Given the added value tied up in the conversion, ramp or lift mechanism, and any additional adaptations, third-party cover alone rarely offers enough protection if the vehicle is damaged, stolen, or written off. The relatively small difference in premium between the two levels of cover is usually well worth it for the peace of mind a full policy provides.
Specialist Insurers vs Mainstream Providers
While some mainstream insurers do offer WAV cover, it's generally worth approaching insurers who specialise in mobility vehicles or disability-related cover. Specialist providers are more likely to understand conversion values properly, offer wheelchair-accessible courtesy vehicles, and have claims teams who won't need the conversion explained to them from scratch.
It's also worth asking your WAV dealer for recommendations — a specialist dealer who's been trading for years will usually know which insurers their customers have had good experiences with, and may be able to point you towards brokers who deal specifically in adapted vehicle cover.
GAP Insurance and WAVs
Guaranteed Asset Protection, or GAP insurance, covers the difference between what your standard motor insurance pays out after a total loss and what you originally paid for the vehicle. This is worth particular consideration with a WAV, because conversions can depreciate differently to standard vehicles, and a shortfall between your insurance payout and the cost of replacing a like-for-like adapted vehicle can be significant. If you're buying on finance, ask your dealer whether GAP cover is available as an add-on, and read the terms carefully so you understand exactly what would and wouldn't be covered.
Adding Named Drivers and Carers
Many WAV owners aren't the only person who drives the vehicle. Carers, family members, or support workers may need to be added as named drivers, and it's essential this is done properly rather than left unmentioned. Driving a vehicle you're not insured to drive can invalidate cover entirely, and in the case of an accident, could leave everyone involved without protection. When arranging your policy, list everyone who might reasonably need to drive the vehicle, even occasionally, and update this whenever your circumstances change.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few avoidable errors come up again and again with WAV insurance:
- Underinsuring the conversion. Quoting only the base vehicle's value, rather than the combined value including the conversion, is one of the most common and costly mistakes.
- Not declaring modifications. Swivel seats, hand controls, ramps, lifts, and any other adaptations all need to be declared. Leaving them off the policy can mean a claim is reduced or refused entirely.
- Assuming standard breakdown cover is enough. Many standard breakdown and recovery services can't accommodate wheelchair users or WAV-specific loading requirements. Check whether your provider can genuinely help if you break down away from home.
- Forgetting to update the policy after further adaptations. If you have additional equipment fitted after your initial purchase, your insurer needs to know, or you risk it not being covered.
- Not reviewing renewal quotes. Insurance renewal prices can creep up over time. It's worth comparing your renewal quote against the market each year rather than automatically accepting it.
What Happens If You Need to Make a Claim
If the worst happens and you need to make a claim, a few things can make the process considerably smoother:
- Keep documentation of the conversion – including the original invoice, converter details, and any valuation – in one place, so it's easy to provide if requested.
- Photograph your vehicle periodically, particularly the ramp, lift, and any bespoke equipment, so you have clear evidence of its condition.
- Report incidents promptly, including any damage to the ramp, lift, or restraint systems, even if it seems minor at the time.
- Ask specifically about a wheelchair-accessible replacement vehicle at the point of claim, rather than assuming one will automatically be provided.
Tips for Getting the Right Cover at a Fair Price
- Get an accurate conversion valuation in writing from the dealer or converter, so your insurer has a clear figure to work from rather than an estimate.
- Declare all adaptations, including hand controls, swivel seats, or transfer aids — undeclared modifications can invalidate a claim.
- Compare specialist and mainstream quotes side by side, rather than assuming one route will automatically be cheaper.
- Review your cover annually, especially if you've had further adaptations fitted or your usage has changed.
- Ask about breakdown cover that includes accessible recovery vehicles, so you're not left stranded without a way to get home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WAV insurance more expensive than standard car insurance? It can be, largely because it needs to account for the added value of the conversion and any specialist equipment. However, shopping around with insurers who understand adapted vehicles specifically, rather than assuming a mainstream quote is your only option, often narrows the gap considerably.
Does my policy need to name the wheelchair user as a driver? Only if the wheelchair user will also be driving the vehicle. Many WAVs are driven by a family member or carer with the wheelchair user travelling as a passenger, in which case the wheelchair user doesn't need to be listed as a driver, but passenger liability cover should still be checked.
Can I insure a WAV on a standard multi-car policy? Sometimes, but it's worth checking carefully that the conversion value and any adaptations are properly accounted for rather than assumed to be covered by default.
What happens if I have further adaptations fitted after I buy the vehicle? You must inform your insurer of any changes. Failing to update your policy after fitting additional equipment could mean it isn't covered if you need to claim.
How FMC Cars Can Help
Every WAV we sell comes with a free warranty and a free MOT, and our team can talk you through the type of conversion you're buying so you have accurate information to hand when you're arranging insurance. We're happy to answer questions about conversion type, value, and specification for insurance purposes, whether you're buying from us or simply doing your research.
Because every vehicle we sell has been through a full pre-delivery inspection and comes with clear documentation on its conversion, you'll have everything you need to get an accurate quote from the outset, rather than guessing at values or specifications when you speak to an insurer.
We serve customers across the whole of the UK, with free delivery up to 200 miles from our Kidderminster showroom and nationwide delivery beyond that, so wherever you're based, we're on hand to help.
Get in Touch
If you're weighing up a WAV purchase and want honest advice on the vehicle, the conversion, and what you'll need for insurance, contact our team today or browse our current stock to arrange a test drive.