Navigating Insurance Challenges with Non-Driving Family Members
As a parent of an autistic child, advocating for his needs and managing daily life can often be a balancing act. Recently, I encountered an unexpected hurdle with our car insurance that many parents might find enlightening.
My son, who is autistic, rarely leaves his room and often opts out of family gatherings, including holiday celebrations. As he approached his 18th birthday, his social worker suggested setting up a bank account for him to facilitate his benefits application. To do this, we needed to secure a state ID, which required a trip to the Department of Highway Safety here in Florida.
Unbeknownst to us, this legitimate action triggered a concerning response from our insurance provider, Progressive. Despite my son not having a driver’s license and no intention of driving, they added him to our car insurance policy as an excluded driver. This move resulted in our family being charged an additional $800 every six months, simply for his exclusion from the policy. According to Progressive, Florida law permits this practice, presumably to address high rates of accidents involving unlicensed drivers.
This situation has left me questioning how justified it is to impose such charges on families without cause or risk. My son’s condition means driving is not an option for him, yet we find ourselves financially burdened by a precautionary measure that seems misdirected.
For other families facing similar circumstances, it’s important to explore the specifics of your state’s regulations and communicate directly with your insurance provider to find a resolution. Being informed and proactive can help mitigate unnecessary expenses and better serve the needs of our loved ones who are non-drivers.
